Alumni Leadership Recognition Awards

Mentorship Award recipient Ardem Tutunjian (Canada, 2018) for his dedication to guiding community impact projects. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to the Artsakh Artists’ Union NGO, helping deliver toys to children from displaced families.

Civic Participation Award recipient Arya Jemal (USA, 2024) for her deep commitment to civic engagement and strengthening democratic culture in Armenia. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to the Center for Truth and Justice (CTJ) – Armenian branch to support its work on documentation, justice, and accountability.

Young Philanthropist Award recipient Lusine Safaryan (Russia, 2024) for her commitment to community development and youth empowerment in Armenia. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to the Tufenkian Foundation, supporting improvements to the school in the village of Svarants.

Mentorship Award recipient Krikor Balabanian (Canada, 2022) for his continued engagement in healthcare training in Armenia. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to the Zinapah National Foundation for Servicemen Insurance, supporting those who have served and strengthening community care for Armenian servicemen.

Artistic/Cultural Achievement Award recipient Eranyak Oganova (Hungary, 2018) for her contribution to the cultural and creative lives of youth in Armenia. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to the Youth Initiative Centre (YIC), to enrich their educational and cultural programs.

Professional Achievement Award recipients Raffi Keuhnelian (Canada, 2006) and Antranig Khachkhechyan (Canada, 2012) for their leadership in public relations and digital marketing. In recognition of our alums, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to Bridge of Hope, to protect the rights of children and youth with disabilities.

Valor Award recipient Stacey Terterian (USA, 2023) for her support in mobilizing resources in volatile environments. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to Lorik NGO, a humanitarian fund supporting families affected by the Artsakh crisis and championing sustainable living.

Artistic/Cultural Achievement Award recipient Emily Mkrtichian (USA, 2011) for her creative collaboration in filmmaking, and impactful work in the arts. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to the Women Support Centre in Shushi, an organization dedicated to empowering women in the region.

Civic Participation/Public Service Award recipient Garni Baroni (USA, 2012) for his deep commitment to reconnecting with his heritage and making a lasting impact in his homeland. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to All for Armenia Fund, to support sustainable development in Armenia.

Civic Participation/Public Service Award recipient Armine Bazikyan (USA, 2006) for her dedication to advocate for the Armenian language and culture. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to Nor Luyce NGO, supporting the empowerment of young women and the creation of strong, creative communities.

Artistic/Cultural Achievement Award recipient Kyle Khandikian (USA, 2015) for his dedication to preserving Armenian heritage is reflected in his work with The Rug Code, an initiative that revitalizes the ancient art of Armenian carpet weaving. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to Telik NGO, an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional Armenian handicrafts.

Professional Achievement Award recipient Armen Bakirtzian (Canada, 2005) for his innovative leadership to develop and commercialize surgical navigation solutions for total joint replacements. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to Kooyrigs NGO, aiding displaced individuals to rebuild their lives in Armenia.

Mentorship Award recipients Georges Ohanessian (Lebanon, 2022) and Mercedes Aline Arslanian (USA, 2023) for their dedication in advocating for Armenian culture and community. In recognition of our alums, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to the Hidden Road Initiative NGO and GOALS NGO, for enhancing youth empowerment through education and sports.

Spirit of Birthright Armenia Award recipient Lisa Iskikian (USA, 2004) for her continued commitment to volunteering and fundraising for various local organizations. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to Support Our Heroes NGO, dedicated to aiding displaced families and veterans from Artsakh.

Artistic/Cultural Achievement recipient Nyree Abrahamian (Canada, 2007) for her contributions in creative production and education. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to Hub Artsakh NGO, dedicated to helping refugees from Artsakh find work, access legal assistance, and build sustainable lives.

Civic Participation/Public Service Award recipients Maida Chandeze Avakian (France, 2012) and Anouch Chahbenderian (France, 2005) for their dedication in the arts and youth. or commitment to “add detail”. In recognition of our alums, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to AHA Collective to curate contemporary art projects that critically engage with Armenia’s historic and contemporary contexts, its diasporic legacies, and cultures of the wider Eastern region.

Civic Participation/Public Service Award recipients Anoush Baghdassarian (USA, 2018) and Tamara Shahabian Voskanian (USA, 2005) for their dedication of documenting stories and supporting students. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to the Center for Truth and Justice (CFTJ), a group of lawyers overseeing the collection of firsthand testimonial evidence from war survivors via in-depth, recorded interviews.

Mentorship Award recipient Armen Kherlopian (USA, 2005) for his accomplishments in research and start-ups. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to Little Bird Armenian Development, to support Armenian border villages and communities that are threatened.

Valor Award recipient Marguerita Doudaklian (Lebanon, 2019) for her dedication to ensuring humanitarian aid delivery to soldiers, residents, and displaced residents from Artsakh. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to Kooyrigs, where they develop projects, facilitate on-ground immediate aid operations (Parukh, Aghavno, Berdzor, and all across Armenia’s eastern border villages in Syunik, Vayots Dzor, and Gegharkunik).

Young Philanthropist/Give Back Service Award recipient Nanor Balabanian (USA, 2022) for her dedication to education and youth. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to the Hidden Road Initiative, for enhancing youth empowerment through education and sports.

Professional Achievement Award recipient Tania Sahakian (USA, 2005) for her impact in Armenia as Director of Development of TUMO and established key innovation collaborations as Regional Director at DISQO. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to Bari Mama, to support children with disabilities.

Spirit of Birthright Armenia Award recipients Karina Halajian (USA, 2016) and Garo Seferian (Argentina, 2019) for their ambassadorship. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to the Women's Support Center (WSC), to empower women and educate communities.

Natalie Kamajian, Armen Adamian recipients (United States, 2012) for their dedication to the studies of preserving Armenian culture and educating the public about important Armenian cultural practices. Natalie's focus is on traditional vernacular dance, and Armen’s is digitizing Armenian folk music. They have co-founded the Lernazang ensemble. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to VOMA, a civilian preparedness training center in Armenia.

Araz Chiloyan recipient (USA, 2016) for her work at the Ministry of Health in Armenia supporting COVID-19 public awareness efforts and acting as an important liaison for vaccine import coordination for the government during her tenure with iGorts and later. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to the Women's Center - Shushi.

Valor Award recipients Nikolay Stepanyan, Mher Almasian, Sevan Ozkul, Shant Abraamyan for their selfless dedication to participating in operations during the 44-day Artsakh war. In recognition of our alums, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to the Lorik Humanitarian Fund, to support charitable initiatives for residents in Artsakh.

Civic Participation/Public Service Award recipients Araz Kekejian-Sahakian (Lebanon, 2016) and Matthieu Sahakian (France, 2017) for their dedication to fundraising and supporting initiatives to develop rural regions of Armenia, especially in the Syunik region. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to the All for Armenia, to assist displaced residents of Artsakh, but later expanded to broader training, support, and education initiatives.

After his experience and joining the Armenian Army, Sevan lives by the philosophy that he is serving his country, and Armenia does not owe him anything in return. Shant is a first-generation Armenian American, born and raised in Glendale, CA, within a primarily Armenian-speaking family. During high school, he became more interested in Armenian culture and started to learn more about its history. That’s when his love for Armenia sparked, and as he learned more, his love for his Homeland continued to grow. In 2019 Shant decided the ultimate giveback to Armenia would be to truly serve, which is why he enlisted in the Republic of Armenia’s Army after completing his volunteerism with Birthright Armenia.

Christine Serdjenian Yearwood is the Founder and CEO of UP-STAND, which provides pop-up lactation and diaper changing stations at events and conferences, consulting services for businesses and organizations looking to become more family-friendly, and a product line to improve accessibility for individuals and companies. She is a frequent speaker at transit rallies, hearings, and forums relating to accessibility matters and is also a member of the Advisory Committee for Transit Accessibility (ACTA), working with New York City Transit on a range of accessibility issues. Last year she was awarded two neighborhood grants by the Citizens Committee of New York City both to improve accessibility locally.

The Professional Achievement Award recipient Tatevik Revazian for her her intense experience in negotiating and managing global aviation-related commercial contracts, and in-depth research conducted on government impact on airport growth, led her to become the first female heading the Civil Aviation Committee in Armenia, and the youngest leader in the world with such a position at age 31. In recognition of our alum, the Foundation made a charitable contribution to the Women's Empowerment Center, focusing on women empowerment.