Erika Puussaar Cleveland International Hall of Fame
Class of 2024
Since 2010, the Cleveland International Hall of Fame (CIHF) has inducted people who have made significant and lasting contributions to our multicultural society. Cleveland is home to people representing about 120 different ethnic groups. The CIHF exists not only to honor those special people but also to inspire a new generation of leaders to follow in their footsteps.
Over 100 worthy candidates were nominated for the 2024 Class of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame. The selection committee was advised by previously inducted members of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame.
Erika Puussaar
The April 23, 2024 induction event at Windows on the River was a sell out with 500 people in attendance.
Erika Puussaar has been a leader in the local Estonian, Baltic and broader communities serving as Past Vice President/Board member of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens and Vice President of the Baltic American Committee.
Erika Puussaar was inducted into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame by Estonia´s Ambassador to the United States Mr. Kristjan Prikk. Before assuming his current duties, Ambassador Prikk served for nearly three years as the Permanent Secretary of the Estonian Ministry of Defense. Ambassador Prikk performed his required military service in the Estonian Defense Forces, where he remains a reserve officer, and has been decorated with the Order of the White Star by the President of the Republic of Estonia, the Cross of Merit of the Ministry of Defense of Estonia, as well as other decorations.
Here is the video of entire Cleveland International Hall of Fame ceremony. You can jump to about 1:17:44 to watch Erika Puussaar being inducted by Ambassador Prikk.
Enjoy these images of Erika Puussaar from the Cleveland International Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Estonian Ambassador Kristjan Prikk being introduced
Estonian Ambassador Kristjan Prikk
Erika Puussaar receives award from Estonian Ambassador Kristjan Prikk
Erika Puussaar giving acceptance speech
MC Russ Mitchell lends a hand to Erika Puussaar
Erika Puussaar with Estonian Ambassador and friends
Erika Puussaar table
Ukrainian leaders Marta Kelleher and Dr. George Jaskiw with Estonian Ambassador Kristjan Prikk
Erika Puussaar with Egyptian Garden delegate Samy Tanious
Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin with Estonian Ambassador Kristkan Prikk
Slovenian Consul General Alenka Jerak, Estonian Ambassador Kristjan Prikk and Honorary Consul of Lithuania Ingrida Bublys
Erika Puussaar with 2023 inductee Pierre Bejjani
Ukrainian leader Marta Kelleher with Estonian Ambassador Kristjan Prikk
Ukrainian leaders Dr. George Jaskiw and Marta Kelleher Dan Hanson, Ambassador Kristjan Prikk, Russ Mitchell and Honorary Lithuanian Consul Ingrida Bublys
