In the News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Linda Yepoyan
Phone: 610-291-2165
info@birthrightarmenia.org
April 19, 2006

Birthright Armenia Hires Sevan Kabakian to Head Armenia Operations

Yerevan, Armenia – In a forward-looking initiative, Birthright Armenia has announced that Sevan Kabakian will join the organization as Executive Director to head up its Yerevan-based office, the Depi Hayk Foundation. The announcement of the new directorship comes with much fanfare as the organization celebrates its third year of successful service to Armenia and the Diaspora and looks toward future expansion. Linda Yepoyan, Executive Director for the organization’s U.S. operations, describes Kabakian as “a committed, energetic and experienced individual who will bring excellent leadership and vision to our Armenia-based operations. His decades of grass-roots community experience within the Los Angeles Armenian community will certainly serve as a great asset to Birthright Armenia/Depi Hayk.”

In his new position, Kabakian will be managing all of the organization’s operations in Armenia, working with local organizations and governmental branches to establish new areas for volunteer job placements and internship programs, as well as enhance an already active connection between Armenia and the Diaspora. He will also be charged with establishing the groundwork for the future growth of the Depi Hayk Foundation, including expansion of the organization outside Yerevan to the more rural areas of Armenia. “Birthright Armenia is a wonderful vehicle by which countless Diasporan youth will experience their ethnic homeland in a meaningful way,” says Kabakian. “I look forward to serving the organization on this vital mission.”

While his role with Birthright Armenia/Depi Hayk may be new, Kabakian is no stranger to the Armenian Diasporan community, especially among Armenian youth. Born in Lebanon, he has been a well-respected leader in the Los Angeles Armenian community for 25 years. As leader of the Glendale Armenian Youth Federation Badanees (Juniors), he actively encouraged a sense of pride, duty and responsibility among youth through a strong connection to the Motherland. “Visiting Armenia is at once a highly rewarding and emotional experience,” says Kabakian. “I see myself as a host that welcomes Diasporan youth to their second home.” As evidence of his dedication, Kabakian led a group of Armenian youth in a pilgrimage to Western Armenia last summer in an exploration of that lost element of the Armenian heritage.

Sevan Kabakian has an undergraduate degree from UCLA and a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from University of Southern California. Since 1987 he has worked as a flight performance engineer at McDonnell Douglas/Boeing. On his journey to Armenia, he is joined by his wife, Klariss, and his three young daughters, Naro, Naneh and Lalig

Birthright Armenia 's mission is to strengthen ties between the Homeland and Diaspora youth by affording them an opportunity to be a part of Armenia 's daily life and to contribute to Armenia 's development through work, study and volunteer experiences, while developing life-long personal ties and a renewed sense of Armenian identity. Birthright Armenia offers travel stipends and many other free services to diasporans 18-32 years of age who enroll in one of the 24 youth-oriented programs sponsored by Birthright. For those interested in learning more about Birthright Armenia , please visit www.birthrightarmenia.org or email info@birthrightarmenia.org .

###