Uldis K. Sipols: Latvia’s strong voice over the seas – in Boston

For Uldis K. Sipols, diplomacy isn’t just a matter of protocol – it’s a deeply personal mission rooted in heritage, global experience, and a profound sense of duty. Known widely for his four-decade career as a procurement and supply chain executive at companies like Ford, Gillette, and Procter & Gamble, Sipols has carved out a second chapter that’s just as impactful: serving as Latvia’s Honorary Consul in Massachusetts since 2017.

“I was invited by Latvia's Ambassador to the USA, Andris Teikmanis, to be a candidate based on my international business experience and active involvement with the U.S. Latvian community,” Sipols recalled to The Baltic Times Magazine. 

What followed was a rigorous year-long approval process, a testament to the seriousness of this voluntary, unpaid position. Today, he is serving under his third Latvian Ambassador, H.E. Elita Kuzma, continuing to represent Latvia’s interests in one of America’s most diplomatically dense and economically dynamic states.

A modern diplomat in a global hub

Massachusetts is no ordinary posting for an honorary consul. Home to 60 consulates and global leaders in biotech, higher education, and technology, it’s a place where diplomacy often intersects with innovation. Sipols’s primary role centers on business development, connecting Latvian entrepreneurs with American partners, offering strategic counsel to startups, and facilitating high-level political meetings with figures like the Governor of Massachusetts and academic leaders from Harvard and MIT.

“Boston is a hub not only for innovation but also for diplomacy,” says Sipols. “Other nations send some of their best-connected diplomats here. Latvia must stay visible, engaged, and proactive, especially now, given the challenges in the EU and the war in Ukraine.”

To that end, Sipols regularly collaborates with his Baltic counterparts from Estonia and Lithuania, forming a regional front in advocacy and visibility efforts.

From the boardroom to the Consulate

Sipols’s transition from boardrooms to consular service wasn’t a leap – it was a natural evolution. During his corporate career, he led global sourcing strategies and multimillion-dollar mergers, including co-leading the integration of P&G and Gillette’s purchasing arms, realizing over $1 billion in synergy savings. That same strategic mindset now informs how he guides Latvian businesses aiming to enter the U.S. market, particularly in cultivating long-term relationships with larger enterprises.

His business acumen also gives him credibility in diplomatic circles, where decisions are often influenced by economic considerations. 

“In today’s world, diplomacy and business are intrinsically linked. You need to speak both languages fluently,” he notes.

Serving the Latvian-American community

While Sipols’s role is not focused on traditional consular services like passports or visas (which are handled by the Latvian Embassy in Washington, D.C.), his ties to the Latvian-American community run deep. With nearly 4,000 Latvians in Massachusetts and countless others across New England, he plays an important cultural role, supporting Latvian events, organizations, and intergenerational connections.

One of the most touching moments of his service came when he helped a local woman uncover her grandfather’s past by translating an old high school diploma from Latvia. 

“It helped her reconnect with a piece of family history lost during the Soviet occupation,” Sipols says. “Moments like that remind me why this role matters.”

Raising Latvia’s profile, one star at a time

In his work, Sipols is always looking for ways to elevate Latvia’s visibility – and sometimes, basketball and classical music offer unexpected openings. 

“Two of the world’s most famous Latvians are currently Bostonians: Celtics star Kristaps Porziņģis and Boston Symphony Orchestra music director Andris Nelsons,” the diplomat says with a smile. “They’re excellent conversation starters, and great ambassadors for Latvia in their own right.”

Looking ahead

Despite the demands, Sipols finds time to visit Latvia once or twice a year, maintaining direct links with the government and keeping his finger on the pulse of economic and political trends. Asked what advice he’d give Riga to better support its honorary consuls, he offers three points: “Continue expanding the network strategically, support key introductions, and remain open to new ways of doing business.”

When reflecting on what has carried him through decades of high-stakes business and meaningful public service, Sipols highlights some timeless traits: “Strong interpersonal skills, resourcefulness, and the freedom to fail and learn – along with the grounding that comes from being raised in a traditional Latvian family.”

In every role he’s held, from the executive suite to the consular office, Uldis Sipols has served as a connector – of cultures, of economies, and of people. With one foot in Latvia and one in Massachusetts, he continues to bridge the Atlantic with integrity, insight, and a clear-eyed dedication to a country he’s never stopped representing.