Who is Gerd Vold from Kon-Tiki: Across the Pacific by Raft and what is their importance?

Gerd is the female secretary to the Kon-Tiki voyage. She christens the raft with a coconut that shatters and sprays milk and fragments all over those attending. Gerd also accompanies the American ambassador as they fly out to sea to make contact with the raft during the early days of the voyage. This attempt fails, which indicates just how improbable a rescue would be.