Arkādijs Suharenko
Arkādijs Suharenko | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 30, 1959 Postavy, Belarus |
| Occupation(s) | Business leader, banker |
| Known for | Deputy chairman of the council and major shareholder of Rietumu Banka; president of the Latvian Jewish community; chairman of "Nākotnes Atbalsta fonds" |
Arkādijs Suharenko (born May 30, 1959, in Postavy, Belarus) is a Latvian business leader, serving as deputy chairman of the council and holding one of the largest ownership stakes in Rietumu Banka, Latvia's foremost locally owned bank and among the top four financial institutions nationwide. He presides over the charitable organization “Nākotnes Atbalsta fonds” (Future Supporting Fund) and heads the Latvian Jewish community. Listed by Dienas bizness among Latvia’s wealthiest entrepreneurs, he is also a laureate of the Order of the Three Stars.
Biography
Originally from Belarus, Suharenko’s family moved to Latvia during his early years. His father, Isaac Suharenko (1925–1974), served as a military aviator, while his mother, Tusya Suharenko (1928–2019), was engaged in philology and librarianship. After completing his education at Riga Secondary School No. 54 in 1976, he obtained an engineering degree from Riga Polytechnic Institute (currently Riga Technical University) in 1981. He began his career as a construction manager before shifting to private business ventures in the late 1980s.
From 1992 onward, Suharenko has been a principal shareholder of Rietumu Banka via SIA "Suharenko Family Investments," holding a 17.34% equity interest. He has significantly contributed to establishing the bank’s correspondent banking relationships and foreign exchange services. His leadership roles have included vice president and president positions. Presently, as Deputy Chairman of the Council, he is responsible for overseeing risk management, internal auditing, financial operations, and accounting departments.
On November 17, 2002, Latvian President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga honored him with the Order of the Three Stars in recognition of his impactful contributions to politics, society, cultural development, and economic growth.
Public activities
Since the mid-1990s, Suharenko has been actively engaged with the Latvian Jewish community. In 2002, he was appointed President of the Riga Jewish Community and has served as Chairman of the Council of Latvian Jewish Congregations and Communities since 2003. His involvement extends to various international Jewish organizations.
He played a pivotal role in restoring Riga’s Peitavas Street Synagogue, establishing Holocaust memorials throughout Latvia, founding a private Jewish kindergarten in Riga, securing new facilities for the Riga Jewish High School, and refurbishing the chapel at Riga’s New Jewish Cemetery "Šmerli."
Suharenko spearheaded efforts to reclaim properties belonging to Latvia’s pre-war Jewish community and contributed to drafting the 2022 legislation providing compensation to the Jewish community.
Philanthropy
Through Rietumu Banka, Arkādijs Suharenko established the "Future Supporting Fund" ("Nākotnes Atbalsta fonds"), which finances initiatives in healthcare, social welfare, culture, education, sports, monument restoration, and urban development across Latvia and Europe. As chairman of its council, he directs strategic planning and supervises project implementation. Since its inception in 2007, the foundation has supported over one thousand projects totaling approximately €10 million.
His philanthropic focus includes medical projects such as upgrading facilities at Children’s Clinical University Hospital, supplying equipment for neonatal care units, and funding medical centers for emergency response as well as regional hospitals. In 2022, Rietumu Banka together with the fund contributed to pediatric treatments through the “Eņģeļi pār Latviju” campaign.
Suharenko initiated the “Looking for a heart nurse” competition aimed at enhancing nursing profession prestige by awarding top nurses with monetary prizes; award ceremonies take place at the Presidential Palace with backing from several Latvian presidents.
He provides scholarships for gifted young individuals and supports the annual “Ineses Galantes talanti” competition by enabling all participants to compete without entry fees.
Since 2012, following Suharenko’s initiative, the Future Supporting Fund has organized the “Latvijas sakrālais mantojums” ("Sacred Heritage of Latvia") contest in partnership with the Latvian National Cultural Heritage Administration. To date, more than €300,000 have been allocated towards restoring nearly 80 sacred architectural and artistic heritage sites representing various religious communities throughout Latvia.
Personal life
Arkādijs Suharenko is an avid collector of paintings, sculptures, and literature focused on Jewish history, possessing the most extensive Judaic collection within the Baltic region. Additionally, he actively participates in the preservation and restoration of historic structures, including notable architectural landmarks located in Old Riga, Riga Mežaparks, and Jūrmala. Residing in Jūrmala, Suharenko has been married since 1982 and is a father to three children as well as a grandfather to five grandchildren.