The legendary Diana Agabeg Apcar made history in 1920 by becoming the Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Japan, marking her as the first Armenian woman diplomat and one of the first women to have ever been appointed in any diplomatic post in the twentieth century.

The Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) – Los Angeles is pleased to announce the awarding of five $5,000 scholarships to exceptional women at its recent annual membership luncheon.

The Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA)-Los Angeles hosted an exclusive private viewing at the Laguna Art Museum, showcasing an exceptional collection from esteemed board member Joan Agajanian Quinn.

The Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) hosted its 9th international conference, “2024 Mission Armenia,” in Yerevan from May 29th to June 4th.

Join AIWA’s mission of empowering Armenian women through education, health, and economic support. Special focus on displaced sisters from Artsakh. Help us make a lasting impact!

Announcing AIWA 2024-2025 Board of Directors Election Results

Today, we feature AIWA Thrive: Sarko Meené, Artist, Film maker, Writer, Athlete.

AIWA-SF Affiliate is proud to introduce new leadership! Learn more about our fresh perspective and upcoming initiatives on our blog.

Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) Stands in Solidarity with the Center for Truth and Justice on Mission to The Hague.

Today, we feature AIWA Thrive: Victoria Atamian Waterman Award-Winning Author, Who She Left Behind.

Los Angeles, CA – The Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) is coordinating “One Cause, Many Faiths – Uniting Voices for Armenians in Captivity,” a special liturgical observance and ecumenical prayer service dedicated to the Armenians in captivity in Azerbaijan. This event will take place on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles.

AIWA President’s Holiday Message 2023.

Join AIWA’s mission of empowering Armenian women through education, health, and economic support. Special focus on displaced sisters from Artsakh. Help us make a lasting impact!

In early October, AIWA’s leadership faced a challenging decision: to postpone our highly-anticipated 2023 Local to Global: Uniting for Change Conference and redirect our attention to the pressing needs of forcibly displaced Artsakh families.

Announcing AIWA 2023-2024 Board of Directors Election Results

The Armenian International Women’s Association sorrows over the loss of longtime and dedicated member Lily Ring Balian, past president of the Los Angeles Affiliate, Publicity Director, Chair of International Conferences, and Liaison with the AIWA National Board. Lily passed away March 9, 2023.

Today, we feature AIWA Thrive: Tamar Chamassian, founder of 2BSEEN Marketing LLC, and AIWA board member.

AIWA takes a stand for human rights and freedom for the indigenous ethnic Armenians facing extinction in Artsakh. A call to all those in positions of power to immediately organize the desperately needed provision of humanitarian aid and utilize all possible avenues to end Azerbaijani blockade and stop the looming humanitarian disaster in Artsakh.

Roza Kostandyan, professionally known as Rosa Linn is an Armenian singer/songwriter. She has been writing and singing her own music since she was a child. The fact that she was born and raised in Vanadzor; a small and conservative town in Armenia, made her think that chasing a career in the music industry would be extremely difficult. She never thought she’d be on the list of Armenians who were going to be popular globally one day.

Today, we feature Laura Violette Dirtadian, CEO and Founder of Leap Strategy, Risk, and Advisory Services LLC, Affiliate Chair – AIWA – San Francisco.

Annie Kurkdjian | Artist

Stephany Sanossian | Artist

Cynthia Tusan (She/Her) is the Founder and CEO of Strategic Global Advisors (SGA), LLC, a woman and employee-owned registered investment advisor based in Newport Beach, California.

Sona Jamgotchian is a Biblical Counselor/Assistant Pastor.

Arine Aprahamian | Architect + Designer, Co-Founder of MÜLLER APRAHAMIAN

Every summer, we look forward to the exciting moment when we can announce the inspiring, talented women who will be our AIWA scholarship recipients!

This year, AIWA will be distributing approximately $80,000 in scholarships to Armenian students worldwide. These women are studying subjects in law, the arts, business, health care, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). They hail from Armenia, Argentina, Italy, Lebanon, Turkey, Canada, Great Britain, and the United States.

Dr. Patti Fletcher. Chief Marketing Officer, Limeade; CEO, PSDNetwork

Shoghik Mikayelyan (She/Her) is the Executive Director and Co-Founder at Nor Luyce Mentoring Center for Youth NGO.

Women’s Equality Day is celebrated in the United States on the 26th of August. It is a day to honor and remember the brave women who fought and continue to fight for gender equality. While the battle for an inclusive society is far from over, Women’s Equality Day reminds us of our progress and fuels us with the strength to ensure every individual’s right to access resources and opportunities without discrimination or prejudice.

One of AIWA’s global pillars focuses on social wellness including domestic violence and prevention of violence against women and families. As such, AIWA has been and continues to be a sponsor of the Women’s Support Center (WSC) which offers the only two domestic violence shelters in Armenia, together accommodating up to 24 women and children at any given time. AIWA is committed to making lasting contributions that drive sustained impact. With generous contributions from AIWA San Francisco and other private supporters, the WSC was able to purchase, restore and open its second safe house in 2019.

Silva Amaryan Amirkhanian is a RN, MSN at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.

Originally, with roots in pagan mythology, “Vardavar” was a holiday dedicated to the goddess “Astghik”; the goddess of water, fertility, beauty, and love. The word “Vardavar” means offering roses, and the holiday was given this name because the goddess Astghik used to present roses and spray water with the intent of honoring the god of fire and war; “Vahagn”, and spreading love.

The Armenian International Women’s Association sorrows over the loss of longtime and dedicated member Flora Jane Dunaians, a dear founding member of the AIWA-LA Affiliate and former Board member of AIWA International.

Art is the expression of how we process our world. It’s not the critic who gets celebrated but the creator. Throughout history, artists and creators have helped us process the world, whether in conflict or celebration, hostility or harmony. Dr. Tamara Hovhannisyan is a global art curator and published poet who uses her talent to drive positive change.

Ruzanna Tovmasyan is an Armenian American filmmaker, spoken word artist and business woman. She owns a production company called Ruminate, where she creates professional online courses, films and videos in efforts to enable people to live a full life of health, wholeness and hope. She is involved with many initiatives to help build the Armenian community. Ruzanna has a background in theatrical performance and storytelling. One of ten children, she was raised in Cleveland, Ohio but currently resides in Los Angeles.

In the last twenty-five years, there has been a growing interest in the connection between the mind and body and its relationship to stress and disease.  Liza’s knowledge of the corporate world is due to years of experience in law offices as a paralegal and legal assistant. It was her own powerful healing experience through hypnotherapy that led her to this science. Changing course, she chose this path to help others heal. In 1999 she founded HealWithin, Inc., a Healing Center for Mind-Body Therapy and has been growing since.

The Armenian International Women’s Association is exceptionally touched by the proactive actions taken by an elementary student and one of AIWA’s youngest members.

Mariette Tachdjian is a Registered Nurse (RN)  with a Master’s in nursing/healthcare administration (UCLA). She is also a self-trained artist.  Currently working as an independent visual artist,  and studying towards a degree in art history.

Announcing AIWA 2022-2023 Board of Directors Election Results

At the recent 2022 Annual Meeting of AIWA members and friends, it was my great pleasure and privilege to hear the reports from AIWA Affiliate leaders and Board members showing the successful scale of growth in our mission to connect and elevate Armenian women globally.

Krystianne Avedian (She/Her) is the Global Chief Relationship Officer at Capgemini and has been with Capgemini for 20 years focused on Design Thinking and Strategic Alliances and Partnerships. 

The National Association for Armenian Studies & Research (NAASR) has awarded a 2021 Dr. Sona Aronian Book Prize to Nareg Seferian for his translation of AIWA’s most recent publication, the pioneering feminist novel Mayda.

The month of March marks International Women’s Day as the global celebration of women recognized widely throughout the 20th century after its official launch by the United Nations General Assembly in 1977. It is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women, who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. Yet, the day isn’t simply a celebration — it is an international call to action for everyone to continue to push for complete gender equality.

I am incredibly excited to begin the year as Interim President of the Armenian International Women’s Association. Over the past years of serving on AIWA leadership committees and on the Board of Directors, I have had the privilege to see in action the power and impact of the organization within our communities. We have accomplished much in our young 30 years.

As 2021 comes to an end, I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to you for your generosity and support of AIWA.  Founded in 1991 by 3 women in Massachusetts, what started as a small organization has enjoyed incredible growth over the past 30 years. With 5 affiliates and members worldwide, AIWA celebrates 30 years of elevating and connecting Armenian women globally.  

Lucille Apcar, author, businesswoman, and granddaughter of famed diplomat and humanitarian Diana Agabeg Apcar, passed away peacefully recently at the age of 95 at her home in Mariposa, Calif. She was a longtime AIWA member.

Annie is a high school senior with a wide range of interests in humanitarian work, acting, entrepreneurship, and medical sciences. Annie established her nonprofit in 2019 after she contemplated the difficulty of getting involved in humanitarian and philanthropic efforts at a young age without needing to fly out of the country to volunteer at volunteer sites.

Lusine Nadiryan was born and raised in Armenia, Yerevan and moved to USA when  at the age of 25. She graduated from Armenian State Pedagogical University after Khachatur Abovyan and earned her BA in Speech Therapy and Pathology.

Today, we feature Anush Gharibyan O’Connor, the Director Armenian Wines and Spirits Festival – GiniFest, Radio Host – Wine and Dine in LA.

Dr. Armine Nadiryan was born and raised in Armenia, Yerevan. Becoming a doctor was decided for her way before she could choose a profession for herself. It was her mother’s dream which she was unable to pursue due to certain circumstances, so she embedded her dream very deeply inside, making it eventually her dream as well.

Carmen Antonian grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area where she went to school at the University of San Fransisco earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in international business and marketing.

Emma Mesrobian, is a dancer, choreographer and dance educator. She “creates stories through movements” and turns non-dancers into dancers.

Lena was born in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia in 1985. On her father’s side, her grandfather Gevorg came from Mush, and her grandmother Lena was a native Yerevan girl. On her mother’s side, her grandfather Valodya came from the village Krnchkot in the town of Kari, and her grandmother Nina from the city of Manglis in the Georgian Tetritskaro region.

Tim Straight was born in Cleveland, Ohio. An eternal believer in the future of Armenia, Tim has lived in Yerevan since September of 2000. He is the honorary consul of both Finland and Norway in Armenia. Reporting regularly to Helsinki and Oslo about poverty, emigration, unemployment, domestic violence and stunting in children, Tim decided in 2010 to create an organization that focuses on the creation of viable employment of women, mostly in the regions of Armenia. Today, the Homeland Development Initiative Foundation provides an income to hundreds of women across the country, designing and marketing products based on their traditional skills – crocheting, knitting, sewing, embroidery, illumination painting, fruit preserves and more. The Homeland Development Initiative Foundation is an AIWA supported initiative.

Seda Papoyan is the founder and managing director of Girls in Tech Armenia chapter. She has 15+ years of experience in communication and project management with a specialty in non-profits, social entrepreneurship and fundraising. Seda has a mastery of digital tools and technological innovations which she chases to use for change. Just recently, Seda joined another promising educational initiative – Relq School of Technology, as their executive director.

Tatiana is a communications specialist and works for The Economist Group as business development manager, responsible for the commercial development of the World Ocean Initiative. She previously worked for the Guardian and the Spectator. Tatiana uses her expertise to support strategy and fundraising development for two charities in the UK, serving as trustee and vice-president for Alkionides UK, and trustee and advisor of the Armenian Institute. She is a member of the board of advisors for the Shirley Chisholm Education Foundation, fundraising chair of the Harvard W3D (women in development, defense and development) network and co-programming chair of HKS Women’s Network. More recently, she was invited to teach a program on ethics and politics for women working in the private and public sector in Ecuador.

Teny Avakian was born in Tehran, Iran. At the age of 4, her family moved to Boston, MA. At the age of 13, her family repatriated to Armenia. She graduated from Yerevan State University with a B.A. in International Relations and Diplomacy. With her BA degree in hand, Teny continued her education first at the American Graduate School of International Relations in Paris, then at the Lebanese American University in Beirut. Teny repatriated to Armenia for the second time in 2010. She started her career in a corporate environment doing product development and marketing for telecommunications and IT companies. However, feeling unfulfilled she made the transition to non-profit work as Chief of Programs with Teach For Armenia. Currently, she is the CEO of a sports for social impact organization Girls of Armenia Leadership Soccer (GOALS) and resides full-time in Armenia.

Emma Ohanian is a Media and Technology Consultant at FTI Consulting, based out of Century City, Los Angeles. She participates in various types of engagements, including business plan development, commercial due diligence, M&A advisory, litigation support and expert witness testimony. She is particularly interested in regulation in media and technology and continues to explore policy and industry shifts in the quickly evolving landscape. She also makes time to volunteer at several community-centric organizations, such as Kooyrigs, MIASEEN Inc., and Generation She (more detail below).

Maria Sarkisian was born in Armenia during the Artsakh war in 1992. Her family relocated to San Francisco where she attended KZV Armenian School. She attended UC Davis to receive a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Toxicology and a Master of Science in Forensic Science. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry. When the war in Artsakh broke out in 2020, Maria raised over $200,000 and relocated to Armenia during the war to provide humanitarian aid. Along with assisting over 400 families impacted by the war, Maria assisted in an agricultural initiative which helped preserve over 9 tons of crops, and helped provide over 500 volunteer soldiers with uniforms, boots, vests and other necessities. She also collected, documented and transported historical artifacts from two churches, along with 3 khachkars, right before the lands they were located on were turned over. Due to the success in fundraising, Maria teamed up with Tatiana Armstrong, another Bay-Area native and KZV Alumni, and began their non-profit Miaseen which provides funding to families and individuals impacted by the war in Artsakh. In total, Maria has raised over $300,000 for the people of Armenia and Artsakh, and continues her humanitarian work through Miaseen.

Today, we feature Alexandra Narine Kaprielian, Head of US Distribution for Takri Wines.

Arevik Ashkharoyan is a literary agent with 10 years of experience in publishing. In 2016, she established ARI Literary and Talent Agency, representing a dozen writers of Armenian origin from all over the world. In 2018, she founded the non-profit arm of the organization, the ARI Literature Foundation, to implement projects aimed at the development of the local book market, promotion of reading and writing in Armenia and enhancing international dialogue. Projects run by the ARI Foundation include Write in Armenia International Writing Camp, Zabel International Women Writers Forum, and Let’s Read! (ARI Kardanq) book clubs.

Bared Maronian is a four time Regional Emmy® Award winning documentary filmmaker and an Armin T. Wegner Humanitarian Laureate with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Haigazian University and a graduate of the Broadcast Career Institute of Palm Beach, Florida.

As Chief Marketing Officer of SADA, Narine oversees global branding and marketing initiatives including corporate communications and public relations, channel and strategic alliances, conferences and events, solutions marketing and demand generation.

Ani Attamian is a strategic problem solver and coalition builder focused on business growth for global partners in industries ranging from technology, publishing, education, finance, retail, and consumer packaged goods, among others. She has nearly 20 years of experience managing multinational teams between North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Promoter extraordinaire, Hasmik Movsisian, has revolutionized the Armenian music business by creating an international organization, and all from a Facebook group she created in October 2008. Her PR know-how gleaned the possibility of greater realizations from these rudimentary beginnings and, years later, Music of Armenia is still spreading the sounds of Armenian music across the globe.

Deena Ghazarian is an award-winning business executive with more than 25 years of experience driving top consumer technology and fashion brands. She is the CEO of technology accessories company Austere as well as a managing partner at TargetPath LLC. Prior to her consumer electronics career, she held management roles at Macy’s, where her experiences shaped her passion for fashion and design.

Svetlana (“Svet”) Pirjan was born in Tehran, Iran. As a Christian Armenian living in an Islamic Country, her family experienced grave injustice and discrimination, which, among other social and economic factors, made it an unsafe environment to raise a family. To open doors for his two daughters, her father decided to move her family to the United States in 1990.

Today, we feature Erebouni Torosyan, Head of Development – TUMO Center for Creative Technologies.

Today, we feature Audree Goodew, Chief of Staff to the President at ServiceTitan.

Maria Akopyan is an intern at the Organization for World Peace, producing weekly articles on important international issues. A graduate from San Jose State University she has a degree in Political Science with a minor in Women’s Studies. Maria is deeply passionate about women’s rights and the fight for equality globally. Specifically, she is passionate about helping break down the gender barriers. As she looks towards graduating soon, Maria will be joining the Developmental Team as a Developmental Assistant for the American University of Armenia Corporation.

Linda Berberian is an Independent Journalist currently focusing on Armenia related stories. She is also a Corporate Communications and Staffing Director in the healthcare industry.

Today, we feature Lusia Vardanyan, the CEO of Priotix Software Development Company.

Lusine Simonyan grew up in Armenia. She graduated from French University in Armenia getting her master’s degree in accounting and finance and is currently working as senior tax accountant in Los Angeles, California.

Artak Aloyan is a Certified Management Consultant Essentials, an international trainer in Strategic Planning, Leadership, Management, Business Communications, Personal Growth.

Today, we feature Laurance Menetian, Tracing and Protection Expert, UNHCR–the UN Refugee Agency.

Karma Ekmekji is a Mediation Advisor with UN Women. She is also a Senior Policy Fellow at the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut and the Lead Advisor on their Women, Peace and Security initiative.

Powerful women influenced my childhood. I had two grandmothers who had lost their spouses early in life and who singlehandedly and successfully raised their families while working and living in a man’s world. I had a mother who held her ground and tried hard not to allow the societal definition of woman define her place in life. I have a sister who continues to voice her professional and personal rights to preserve her dignity and quash a needless compulsion of women to prove themselves worthy of respect. In brief, the women I looked up to had a lot in common. They were educated, they were married, they were mothers, they were involved in their communities, and they were bold, proud and heard.

I was born in 1992 year when Virgo constellation was delivering the Sun. My father is Armenian, and my mother has Lithuanian origin. My grandmother (Father’s mom) is from Artsakh also known as Nagorno-Karabakh – a beautiful mountainous and forested area between Armenia and Azerbaijan. I love forested mountains – they are like living ancient witnesses of history of the human kind. Mountains give us the perception how small we really are, they help to sort out what’s really important, what are the true values of life and fill the longing of our spirits.

When Astrik Vardanyan gave birth to her first son in 1998, the experience she had in a Burbank, CA hospital left her scarred physically and mentally, humiliated, and traumatized. It was not the childbirth experience she had prepared for or dreamt of. At that time, the dehumanization she felt in the service of a clinical technological birth and the lack of autonomy she felt over her own body was shocking to her. After experiencing similar inhumane treatment during the birth of her next two sons and complications with their health because of it (her second son was heavily drugged to the point where he failed to respond for hours – they thought he was deaf or worse). She realized, perhaps, this was a bigger problem in the world than she had thought. In 2005, along with her late husband, child psychiatrist, Arthur Pogosyan, Astrik founded the haikProject to educate and support women in labor and establish healthy, peaceful, non-violent child birthing.

Mané likes to call herself a human experience designer since whether it is in designing more human experience in hospitals, playing the accordion for her family, consulting organizations to augment their impact through story and narrative methodologies, or dancing; they are all instances that invite more humanity, and hence freedom.

During this time of humanitarian crisis in Armenia and Artsakh, the Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) is incredibly proud of our global communities coming together.

AIWA, a member of the UN ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council) and the UN DPI (Department of Public Information) since 1996, joined forces with the other Armenian NGOs with consultative status at the United Nations (AGBU and ARS) and sent a joint letter to his Excellency António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, asking him to take immediate action at the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, by:

2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA). Founded in Boston by three trailblazing women, Eva Medzorian, Barbara Merguerian and Olga Proudian, AIWA has made a great impact in the lives of Armenian women worldwide. Over the last 3 decades, whether involved in initiatives for the arts, health, leadership, scholarships, publishing, archives and many others, AIWA’s focus has always been the advancement of the Armenian woman.

Her prominent ancestors moved from New Julfa, Iran, to Paris, and then to Italy, where Vittoria was born in Padua. She, along with her four sisters, grew up in the “Casa degli Armeni” (House of the Armenians) and received an Italian education. She married the Italian count and member of Parliament Guido Pompili. Vitoria was very fond of Italian poetry, and wrote her poems in Italian. Her first poem was published in 1875, and the first poem to appear in the Armenian‑language, “Lrutyun” (“Silence”), was translated by Arsen Ghazikyan in 1896.

Born in Tiflis, she graduated from the Russian gymnasium in Tiflis and went on to study music in Leipzig, graduating from the Conservatory there with a diploma of first degree in 1909. Her voice was developed and refined under the guidance of Russian Imperial opera singers M. A. Slavina and S. M. Mirovich. From 1913 to 1929 Akimova was a soloist with the St. Petersburg Marinin’s Opera and Ballet Theater, which was later renamed the Leningrad Opera and Ballet Theater after S. M. Kirov. From 1919 to 1925 and from 1929 to 1952 she taught in the Leningrad Conservatory.

Margarit Aleksanyan is one of the last representatives of the tradition of Armenian writer‑decorators.

A graduate of the department of agriculture of Tiflis Polytechnic Institute in 1926, Anahit Ananyan began working in the Vegetable Plants State Cultivating Station of Armenia in 1933; from 1949 to 1984 she was the director of the Station.

Born in New Julfa, Iran, Diana Apcar moved to Calcutta, India, at a young age. She received her elementary education in the local Armenian Sandukhtyan school, then studied in English educational institutions. Since then she became interested in various national issues. She married a wealthy silk trader, Apcar Apcaryan, and moved to Yokahama, Japan.

Sofya Arghutsyan-Yerkaynabazuk was born into a traditional aristocratic family in Tiflis (Tbilisi). She lost her father at a young age and spent her childhood under the care of her grandfather, who was an eloquent speaker and a great storyteller.

Born in Beshiktash (Constantinople), she studied in Pera, in the Nurinyan school. After graduation she became a teacher at the Yesayan School. Beyleryan also began writing and became interested in national issues at a young age. Her articles on the social and public roles of women, “Hay Aghchkats Gyanken” (From Lives of Armenian Girls), “Narekn u Narekatsin,” as well as articles on other social issues, were published in the periodicals Arevelk (Constantinople) and Ardzagank (Tiflis).

Born in Constantinople (Istanbul), Heranush lost her father at the age of three, which was a great tragedy for her. She attended the French School of the Bakirkoy Sisters (French) in Constantinople beginning at the age of 10, then the Armenian Makruhyats School in the Beshiktas district. As a student she showed remarkable abilities, amazing the teachers with her essays. At the age of 15 Heranush became ill with tuberculosis and had to move to a nearby farm. She spent two years in peaceful surroundings, but was unable to defeat the terrible illness. She died at the age of 17.

Born in Dikranagerd, in the family of an Armenian Protestant clergyman, she was the daughter of Thomas Boyajian, who served as British vice‑consul in Turkey for many years. The roots of her mother, English by nationality, can be traced back to the family of the poet Rogers.

Araksi Babayan graduated from the department of agriculture of Yerevan State University in 1929, and from the department of chemistry of the Polytechnic Institute in 1937.

Margarit Brutyan was born in Alexandropol (Gyumri) into a military family – her father was a sergeant in the army of the First Republic of Armenia. His ancestors emigrated from the Mush-Taron region of historic Armenia to Eastern Armenia after the Russo-Turkish war of 1828‑1829. Her grandfather, Arshak Brutyan (1864‑1936), was a famous musician, group leader, painter, and teacher.

Born in Tiflis, Danielyan received her elementary education in the region. She graduated from the St. Petersburg Conservatory in 1920, and later developed and refined her voice in a class taught by I. I. Iretskaya. Between 1920 and 1922 Danielyan performed in the Theatre of Musical Comedy in Petrograd, which was led by K. Mardjanashvili.

Born in Constantinople (Istanbul) into a wealthy and socially prominent family, Srpuhi received her elementary education in the French schools of the capital. Her mother, Nazli Vahan, one of the most educated and socially aware women of the city, was among the founders of the first national women’s institutions in the capital, including the Hripsimyats School and the Women’s Philanthropic Association (1859). After the untimely death of her husband, she devoted herself to the upbringing and education of her daughter and son. Her son, Vahan Hovhannes (1832‑1891), received his higher education in chemistry and held high governmental positions.

Born in Constantinople (Istanbul), Zaruhi  studied at the local Aramyan school. Her first poems were published under the pen name “Yevterpe” in the Women’s Section of the periodicals Manzume Efkyar and Byuzandyon. Later collections of her poetry were published between 1892 and 1894: Nvakh Yevterpya (Yevterpyan Tunes), Zartonk (Awakening), and Mrmunj (Murmur). The major themes of her poetry were: the tragedy of an abandoned people, injustice in the world, and praise for true love.

Born in the village of Daharlu (currently Getk, in the Akhuryan district of Shirak province), Gevorgyan graduated from Kars gymnasium, then studied literature at the Sorbonne (University in Paris) from 1920 to 1923. She lectured in Turinghen University in Germany before returning home in 1926.

Nonee Kay Keshishian curates celebratory environments in the hopes of reminding nonee people that life is meant to be lived. From weddings honoring two peoples’ commitment to each other to thousands of people in an airline hangar celebrating their years’ work of shooting a rocket into space…Nonee does it all. She and her brother launched a catering and event production coalition 11 years ago out of their parents’ kitchen. They called it @kitchen12000 and went full steam ahead in an industry they knew little about. Turns out if you’re really passionate about a cause, the way they are about building community and performing sociological experiments with strangers, you can become really good at something fast.

Vera Nazarian is a two-time Nebula Award® Finalist, a Dragon Award 2018 Finalist, and Author-Photo-Large2-Nazariana member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. She immigrated from Moscow, USSR in 1975 as an 8-year old girl, with her Armenian father and Russian mother, spent a civil-war-ridden year in Beirut, Lebanon as a refugee, then arrived by way of Greece to the United States, and settled in Los Angeles, CA. She professionally sold her first story at the age of seventeen to Marion Zimmer Bradley’s classic fantasy anthology Sword and Sorceress #2 (DAW Books, 1985) while still a high school student, and has since been published in numerous anthologies, magazines, and publishing houses, honorably mentioned in Year’s Best anthology volumes, and translated into eight languages.

Born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, Nelly grew up in a warm and nurturing Armenian family and attended a French Catholic school. At the age of 9 she lost her Father. In the Nelly Derlate 1970s, in the wake of the Lebanese Civil War, she moved to Southern California with her family.

Born and raised in Armenia, Dr Hasmik Arzumanyan, MD studied medicine at Yerevan HasmikState Medical University and graduated Summa Cum Laude. After practicing medicine for several years in Armenia, she made the very difficult decision, leaving her family, friends and life behind in Armenia and moved to the United States to fulfill her educational aspirations.

Kevin is a registered Architect in California, a member of the San Francisco Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and holds a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Architecture from The University of California at Berkeley. The focus of his works come from his fascination with the larger urban context, as well as a diverse set of social challenges related to designing housing and increasing density in cities.

Satineh Kassarjian was born in San Francisco in 2003 and moved to Armenia before she turned 5. This move has shaped who she is as an Armenian and an American. She feels blessed to be comfortable in both countries and societies. In addition to school and after-school activities, Satineh is most proud of the volunteering she has done for several events in Armenia.

Lucy Mirigian lives in San Francisco. She was born in Keghee, (Erzeroom) in 1906. She has a daughter, Sonia Mirigian Koujakian who is married to Jack Koujakian, and a son Garo Mirigian who is married to Aida Mirigian. She also has two granddaughters and two great-grandkids.

Dr Anahit Danielyan was born in Yerevan, Armenia and graduated from Yerevan State University in 1993. After the collapse of USSR and in the middle of blockade of Armenia she started her professional career as a Hematologist at Armenia Hematology Center. She finished her fellowship and went into practice afterwards. Looking back she often wonders how she survived those difficult years.

Dr. Annie Hovsepian was born in Tehran, Iran and moved to USA when she was 10 years old. After finishing high school, she attended the University of California, Irvine and earned a degree in Biological Sciences. Then she attended St. Louis University Medical School and did her residency in Internal Medicine at University of California, Davis.

As CEO and President of SADA Systems, Tony Safoian firmly believes that technology can empower people to transform their world. To this end, he places innovation at the core of the business model, coupled with exceptional customer experience and managed services. Under Safoian’s guidance, SADA has differentiated itself by proactively addressing a rapidly evolving market across Enterprise, Midmarket, Government and Education sectors, while anticipating the needs of its customers—often even before they do.

How does a scholar of the 17th century metaphysical poets, including John Donne and John Milton, become the leader of a flagship public university that fuels the creativity and energy of Silicon Valley?

Inesa Zohrabyan is a youth community leader within her village of Arteni in the Aragatsotn region of Armenia. As a member of the “Community Impact Club” since the age of 14, she has participated in eco-friendly community gardening projects and conducted student’s leadership training-workshops. At the same time, she focuses on self-improvement, as well as my personal growth. As a student of Teach for Armenia, she was inspired by her teacher who introduced Kids Education Revolution and encouraged her to participate in the KER Summit in India, as one of the Teach For Armenia’s student community representatives. Participating in this experience has been life changing as a result, Inesa is one of the eight (8) appointed Teach for All’s 2020 Student Leader Advisory Council.

Armen Orujyan, PhD, is the Founding CEO of the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST). FAST is a nonprofit organization that reinforces Intellectual, Financial, and Network capacities of science and technology ecosystem in Armenia and beyond. Focused on producing an ecosystem that drives scientific advancement and technological innovation, under Armen’s leadership FAST has launched Startup Acceleration Programs inclusive of Startup Studios focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Biotechnology, and Robotics, an Advanced Solutions Center on AI and Machine Learning, a Creative Campus, a Fellowship for the top 10% of all PhDs in Armenia in STEM, deployed numerous scientific grants, and established the first Science and Technology Angels Network in Armenia.

Maggie Ryan is half Armenian (Arstakhtsi) and half Irish, born in Orange County, she has lived in Russia, USA, and Armenia. She is an alumna of the American University of Armenia, where she earned a Bachelors in Business. During her junior year of college, she was given the incredible opportunity to work at PicsArt, a photo editing application. That’s where she learned about the value of community, and the effect it can have on technology, expression and product development.

Acclaimed for her “smoldering stage presence,” (The New York Times) her “richly-hued Solange Merdinian by Martin Bustos copyvoice” (BBC Music magazine), the New York based American-Argentinean mezzo-soprano Solange Merdinian has garnered an international reputation for her versatility and interpretation as a recitalist, chamber musician, and opera singer in repertoire ranging from baroque to contemporary, folk, tango, cabaret and world music. She is the Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of the nonprofit organization, New Docta, and the New Docta Festival in Argentina.

Lena Tashjian is an author, writer, and recipe developer, from Canada. Her interest in food developed after going vegan as a university student, which lead her to become a nutritionist. She lived in Armenia for six years, where she began writing about food, culture, tradition and travel to develop her own blog and various publications. Upon returning to Canada, she established a Vegan Armenian Kitchen, where she shares recipes and stories of Armenian food.

Mr. Karen Daduryan is a national of Armenia with an extensive UN career and expertise in leadership, strategic planning, management, programming, including in humanitarian context, and resource mobilization.

Anahit Ghazaryan is a writer, an activist, a feminist podcast host, a teacher, and a researcher, Anahit gets her main strengths from looking at the essence of things. Anahit holds a B.A. of Philology and Qualification of a Teacher in the field of Armenian Language and Literature and M.A. of Philology in the field of World Literature and Literary Theory from Yerevan State University. She has studied at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Yerevan from, where the duo met six years ago. In addition to co-producing and co-hosting Akanjogh, currently, Anahit is researching the life and work of Maryam Shahinyan (1911-1996), the first female photographer in Turkey.

Albert Manukyan is the co-founder of Velvioo (www.velvioo.com). Velvioo owns and operates Yerevan’s first bicycle and electric bicycle sharing program in Yerevan, called YerevanRide (www.yerevanride.am).

Christina is a Group Product Manager at Affirm, Inc., a financial technology company that provides micro loans at the point of sale, and focuses on delivering simple, honest and transparent financial products. She leads enterprise product development and works with Affirm’s largest retail clients.

Ovsanna Takvoryan is a business and restructuring attorney based out of Los Angeles with over nineteen years of experience serving as counsel to various corporate entities and high net worth individuals locally, nationally and globally, in various industries including, but not limited to entertainment, retail, real estate, finance, technology and manufacturing. In addition to practicing law, Ovsanna recently joined NMS Consulting, Inc. as Managing Director and Partner working in the firm’s management consulting and corporate advisory business units.

Armenians are known as the Creator and Builder Nation everywhere. We built that reputation by contributing to humanity, progress, and growth for centuries. It inspired and shaped my character and my life’s mission: creating positive and results-driven teams, environments, and countries (I was fortunate enough to work in 40+ countries) everywhere I go. Our ancient traditions of excellence, literature, music, art, and science have influenced deeply my perspective about innovation and its benefits and promises to humanity. It was one of the reasons I dedicated my studies and my career to technology and innovation.

Joel A. Martin is a classical and jazz pianist, producer, composer, and arranger who has collaborated with, and/or written music for, Grammy® Award-winners Alan Menken, opera legend Kathleen Battle, Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas, Brooklyn Youth Chorus, cellist Eugene Friesen of the Paul Winter Consort, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jaimoe of the Allman Brothers.

Narine Sahakyan, Resident Representative of UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) in North Macedonia. With almost 20 years of experience with UN system with increasing levels of responsibility from Project Coordinator to UNDP Resident Representative/Head of Office; 19 years of additional experience with the Government of Armenia, the scientific research institutions, the local and international NGOs, the WB, USAID and other international organizations. Since 2019 she has been leading the UNDP Team in North Macedonia. Previously, she served as UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in North Macedonia, Moldova, Turkmenistan and as Head of Programme in Armenia. Prior to joining UNDP she worked for the Government of Republic of Armenia, leading the Department of Diaspora Relations and Humanitarian Aid at the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations (1991-1993), Investments and Export Promotion Department at the Ministry of Economy (1993-1996) and Foreign Investment at the Ministry of Industry (1996-2000).

Argam DerHartunian, SVP, Product & Technology @HITRECORD. Argam is one who always loves a challenge and change. He is currently leading product and engineering efforts at HITRECORD, a collaborative creative community founded by actor, director, writer, Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Asya Dallakyan, Small and Medium Business Development Lead for the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region at DSC_4310[21411] Microsoft Co. With more than 21 years of professional experience, her strong expertise in IT stems from 16 years in the sector in key managerial roles. Her background also features 3 years in education and 2 years in the government/public sector.

Ara Babaian is a business attorney who strives to enhance and protect his clients’ interests in order to create more rigorous economies that will benefit the clients’ owners, employees and business partners.

Christine Soussa is a seasoned, top performing Sales and Strategy Professional with over 25 years experience.

Name: Meghedi Melody Nazarian, Writer and Wardrobe Stylist. I consider myself a passionate wordsmith. I treat words as beautiful little tools that convey melodic messages to the world.

Arootin has a passion for collaboration and community. His move in 2013 from LA to the Bay Area has strengthened his appreciation for community.

David Akopyan, UN Resident Representative a.i in Syria was born in Kapan/south Armenia: his mother’s hometown. He holds an MBA from the American University of Armenia and a Ph.D. in laser physics and an MA in theoretical physics from Yerevan State University.

Mimi was born in San Francisco, but grew up around the world, as her father took jobs in Holland, France, Germany, Bangladesh and Brazil. This experience had a huge impact on her perspective, supporting a global view.

Lusine is a technology leader at SAP and currently holds the position of Chief Revenue Expert at SAP. Her main focus is on SAP strategic projects that drive key transformations in Cloud Operations.

Today, we change our lens a bit and take a retrospective look at some of the women who were among the first in their fields. Throughout history and currently, there are so many individuals doing extraordinary things to inspire and make impact. April 24 is a somber day as we remember the difficult history that all Armenians worldwide share. As part of AIWA-SF Thrive we decided to highlight some Armenian women who were born in the 1800s and contributed in significant ways to our world.

Award winning Armenian- American recording artist, songwriter, producer, TV host, Maria Cozette has flourished in the performing arts since the age of four.

My name and title is Dr. Mariam Manoukian MD, PhD. I’m a physician at Stanford Healthcare. Born and raised in Armenia, I graduated from Yerevan State Medical School and then studied in Moscow and defended a PHD thesis in Neuroendocrinology.