Engage Armenia Forum 2024 UAE
November 23, 2024
Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel
10:30 to 17:30
PHILOSOPHY
In these uncertain times, it’s crucial for Armenians everywhere to come together. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just getting started, your engagement with Armenia can shape its future. Join us to rethink, revitalize, and make an impact.
FORUM HIGHLIGHTS
This dynamic event will bring together leaders and innovators from Armenia and the Diaspora. Expect interactive pitches, panel discussions, and networking opportunities that will connect you to organizations and programs working to strengthen Armenia.
KEY TOPICS
Volunteering & Internships
Professional Development
Business & Social Investments
Education & Healthcare
Mentorship & Expertise Sharing
Repatriation & Integration
The event is co-organized by Repat Armenia, H. Hovnanian Family Foundation and Ameriabank in collaboration with the Armenian Community Council in the UAE.
Engage with Armenia
Discover new engagement opportunities, join breakout sessions on topics that matter to you, and network with a diverse community of professionals, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.
Meet our speakers
Vartan Marashlyan
Repat Armenia
Vartan was born in Armenia but lived in Moscow for over 25 years. He moved back to Armenia in 2010. Before co-founding Repat Armenia Foundation in 2012, Vartan was the Deputy Minister of Diaspora. He also worked as Economic Advisor to the British Department for International Development. He’s also an international expert on State-Diaspora relations. His private sector experience includes real estate development and banking. Vartan strongly believes that Armenia should be the key element of our identity.
Nelly Poliakov
H. Hovnanian Family Foundation
Nelly, a French native with a degree in communications, moved from Paris to Yerevan in March 2020 to join Birthright Armenia and Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC) as their marketing director. Since March 2022, she has served as the Head of Communications for the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation and its four programs: Birthright Armenia, Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC), Repat Armenia, and HIKEArmenia. She believes that the best way to understand what Armenia has to offer is to live there, even for a short time.
Sevan Kabakian
Birthright Armenia
Sevan has served as the Country Director of Birthright Armenia since his relocation to Armenia from California in 2006. Formerly an aerospace engineer, Sevan brings over 35 years of experience in fostering connections between Armenian youth and their ancestral homeland. Sevan believes that emotional connections to Armenia are not sufficient and that the key to harnessing the diaspora potential is to create practical connections and engagement opportunities.
Arina Zohrabian
Armenian Volunteer Corps
Arina first came to Armenia in 2002 to volunteer with Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC), planning to stay for a year. That experience turned into a life-changing journey, and Armenia became home after time in the UK, Iran, US, Canada, and Spain. In 2021, she became AVC's Executive Director, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in education and non-profit management. Arina believes anyone can make a significant impact if they open their hearts and minds, just as AVC did for her.
Marie Lou Papazian
TUMO
Marie Lou was raised in Lebanon and moved to Armenia in 2005 from the USA. As TUMO’s founding CEO, Marie Lou Papazian developed the center’s educational program and led the design and construction of its flagship facility. Prior to TUMO, Marie Lou led the Education for Development Foundation linking Armenian students to their global peers through online educational activities. Previously, she was lead construction manager on prominent high-rise buildings in New York City.
Hagop Degermedjian
Ameriabank
Hagop, raised in Syria, moved to Armenia in 2018 and serves as Chief Premium Relationship Manager at Ameriabank. A graduate in Economics from Aleppo University, he specializes in client relationship management and advisory-driven solutions. Passionate about Armenia-Diaspora ties, Hagop is dedicated to fostering global Armenian connections. His move to Armenia inspires him to encourage others to visit and strengthen their bond with their motherland.
Lara Setrakian
Applied Policy Research Institute
Lara is an international journalist and the President of the Applied Policy Research Institute of Armenia (APRI Armenia), an independent, nonpartisan think tank based in Yerevan. APRI is focused on advancing regional stability, sustainable prosperity, and civic engagement in Armenia. Lara is a graduate of Harvard University and an alumni fellow of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She is also is a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum and a Life Member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Gayane Manukyan
National Network Foundation
Gayane is a strategic communication specialist with extensive experience across media, publishing, and non-profits. As co-founder and director of National Network Media Platform Foundation and 301 Land of Wisdom Foundation, she manages media initiatives and a community of over 500 members. As CEO of Yerevan Productions, she excels in strategic development and branding. Gayane previously served as Editor in Chief at Sobesednik Publishing House and held TV hosting roles. She holds a journalism degree from Moscow State University and a filmmaking certificate from New York Film Academy.
Tatyana Hovhannisyan
VIVA Foundation
Tatyana spent her early childhood years in Yerevan, lived most of her life in Moscow, and moved back to Armenia in 2021. She is a medical doctor with a PhD and co-founder and CEO of the VIVA Foundation, established in 2016. Her work is centered on creating a systematic approach to healthcare and promoting philanthropy. Tatyana has made a significant impact by developing regional healthcare and medical institutions in Armenia, especially through improving access to quality care in underserved communities. She is married and has two children.
Elena Kozhemyakina
VIVA Foundation
Elena grew up in Russia, and has lived in Armenia since 2009. Elena is the founder of a PR agency and, since 2022, has been an ambassador and volunteer for the VIVA Foundation. She is also a committed blood donor, believes in the importance of developing intellectual volunteering and active involvement of Armenia's youth in philanthropy and social initiatives. Together with her husband, a native of Artsakh, she is raising four daughters and manages various social initiatives in Armenia.
Gevorg Poghosyan
reArmenia
Gevorg is from Armenia. He co-founded Idram, the first e-payment system in Armenia, TCF in 2016, the world's leading marketing agency in the field of crowdfunding, and Prelaunch.com in 2022. Gevorg was also a founding president of “GlobalAM” foundation, developing the Armenian Startup Ecosystem. He also acted as a business angel and invested in Armenian startups. Since 2021, he has been engaged in social entrepreneurship and is the CEO of ReArmenia platform.
Talin Baghdadlian
Teach For Armenia
Talin is a third-generation Armenian Diasporan, born and raised in the U.S. to Syrian-Armenian parents. For the past three years, she has lived in Armenia with her family. Her deep connection to the country grew during her 2015 Birthright Armenia experience. After the 2020 war, she and her husband moved to contribute to Armenia’s future. Currently, Talin serves as Managing Director of Advancement at Teach For Armenia, overseeing marketing, communications, and fundraising. She holds a Master’s in Foreign Service from Georgetown University.
Nazareth Seferian
Impact Hub/VIA Fund
Nazareth was born to Lebanese-Armenian parents and grew up in India, before moving to Armenia in 1998. He has been working in sustainable business since 2008, including the development of CSR and social entrepreneurship in Armenia. Nazareth joined the board of Impact Hub Yerevan in 2021 and helped establish the VIA Fund, the first impact investment fund for social enterprises in Armenia. Nazareth is married and has three children, and he believes Armenia is the best place to raise kids.
Sharon Chekijian
Traveling Doctors
Dr. Sharon Chekijian is an Associate Professor at the Yale School of Medicine in Emergency Medicine, specializing in emergency medical systems and patient experience. Recently awarded a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award, she aims to enhance emergency care in Armenia in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health of Armenia and the Turpanjian School of Public Health. The granddaughter of Armenian Genocide survivors, she is dedicated to humanism in medicine. Dr. Chekijian co-produced the film “The Hidden Map,” addressing Armenian cultural erasure, and is an Advisory Board Member of Traveling Doctors.
Nishan Odabashian
Buy Armenian
Dr. Nishan Odabashian, born in Damascus, Syria, moved to the U.S. in 1977 and later to California. He practices endodontics in Glendale, CA, and has been actively involved in organized dentistry, holding various positions and lecturing internationally. Alongside his wife, Lilith, he promotes Armenian products through Buy Armenian and will join her at Engage Armenian 24 in Dubai, supporting Armenian producers to help their community thrive.
Lilit Odabashian
Buy Armenian
Lilit Dolkarian Odabashian, born in Aleppo, Syria, moved to California in 2002. She is married to Dr. Nishan Odabashian and has three children: Galia, Serge, and Noy. During the 44-day war on October 14, 2020, she founded the Facebook group “Buy Armenian” to promote Armenian-made products. The group quickly gained traction within the global Armenian community, reaching around 100,000 members across various platforms. In 2021, the Buy Armenian apps were launched, and in 2023, the first physical store opened in Glendale, California.
Hrayr Barsoumian
Optimize Consulting
Hrayr was born into an Armenian family in Lebanon, he followed his heart and relocated to Armenia in 2018. Further to his current role as founder and CEO of Optimize Consulting, he is an Executive MBA instructor. His journey, marked by resilience and entrepreneurial drive, reflects the spirit of repatriation. Hrayr shares insights into his experiences, offering a compelling narrative of reconnecting with his roots and thriving in the Armenian business landscape.
Nanor Balabanian
Hidden Road Initiative
Nanor is an educator, nonprofit director, and vlogger, born in Aleppo, Syria, and raised in Anjar, Lebanon. She moved to the U.S. at 15 and earned a Political Science degree from UC Santa Barbara and an M.A. in Education from Stanford. Nanor taught World History and English Literature in under-resourced communities for nine years. While in college, she founded the Hidden Road Initiative, providing educational opportunities in Armenia and Artsakh. Since 2020, she has focused on her nonprofit work in Armenia and serves as an Adjunct Faculty member at the American University of Armenia.
Tim Straight
Homeland Development Initiative Foundation (HDIF)
Tim is an American who has lived in Armenia for the past 25 years. He came with the Norwegian Refugee Council in 2000, and has stayed on as the honorary consul of both Norway and Finland. In 2013, he founded HDIF in order to create sustainable jobs in Armenia for vulnerable groups - those in poverty, refugees, proximity to the war border as examples. This is done through high quality products, and also innovative projects. Tim states on his Facebook account that he is an eternal believer in Armenia's future.
Elena Vartazarian
Armenia and Beyond Travel
Elena is a passionate travel professional with two decades of expertise in the travel industry. Founder of EleVacation Travel in Australia and Armenia & Beyond Travel in Yerevan, Elena is on a mission to unveil the wonders of Armenia to the world. Having repatriated from Sydney to Armenia in 2022 with her family, Elena has also gained invaluable insights into the nation’s education, healthcare, and business landscapes—knowledge she’s thrilled to share with others eager to discover Armenia’s authentic charm.
Armen Khachikyan
ARAR Foundation
Armen was born in Vanadzor, Armenia and completed his military service in Artsakh. His career has consistently focused on addressing Armenia's security challenges. He has taught at various institutions, including courses for high-ranking officers, and led numerous research projects, primarily centered on security and demographic issues. Since 2021, Armen has served as the director of the ARAR Foundation, concentrating on security issues and the development of the military-industrial sector.
Astkhik Oganesian
Keron Development Foundation
Astkhik spent the first 25 years of her life in Moscow before relocating to Armenia in January 2018. With over 10 years of experience in managing country development programs, social projects, strategic and operational consulting, and business education, she currently is a Deputy Director at the Keron Development Foundation. Prior to her role at the Keron, Astkhik dedicated six years to strategic territorial development programs at the IDeA Foundation. She is a strong advocate for the idea that not only indifferent attitude towards Armenia can influence its future prosperity.
Victoria Papikyan
Keron Development Foundation
Victoria is Programs Director at the Keron Development Foundation, where she leads various initiatives aimed at fostering Armenia's development. With over a decade of experience in project management, I have played a pivotal role in designing and implementing programs that emphasize the importance of education, territorial development, and cultural heritage. I hold a master’s degree in economics and am passionate about creating impactful partnerships that contribute to the sustainable growth of Armenia.
Armen Sahakyan
Polity360 Consulting
Armen V. Sahakyan, born in Yerevan, Armenia, repatriated in 2021 after 13 years in the United States. He is the Principal Consultant at Polity360 Consulting LLC, an Armenia-based firm he founded in 2024 to drive impactful policy solutions. Previously, Armen was Armenia Country Director for the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, bringing expertise in governance and sector reforms. He holds a Master’s in International Relations and Economics from Johns Hopkins SAIS.
Mariam Abrahamyan
Big Mind
Mariam Abrahamyan, born in Yerevan with roots in Diyarbakır, is the Program Manager at Big Mind Academy, where she leads projects that enhance linguistic and soft skills. With a bachelor’s in philology and linguistics and a master’s in Armenology in progress, Mariam is dedicated to transforming Armenian education, empowering individuals to achieve personal and educational growth.
Elena Yakovleva
Primavera Foundation
Elena, with a background in business and HR, transitioned to artist management in 2017 at Primavera Consulting, representing artists like Mischa Maisky, Tan Dun, and Olga Peretyatko. In 2020, she co-founded Primavera Digital to help artists enhance their digital presence. She also co-founded Primavera Foundation Armenia in 2022. Previously, she worked at SKOLKOVO Moscow School of Management and published a Russian edition of James Westbrook’s The Century that Shaped the Guitar.
Luiza Avetisyan
staff.am
Dr. Luiza Avetisyan holds a PhD in Engineering and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Luiza possesses over 20 years of extensive professional experience across corporate and entrepreneurial landscapes. She co-founded staff.am, Armenia's premier jobs and career ecosystem, in 2016, and Hirebee, an AI-powered global hiring solution, in 2021. Luiza is a passionate advocate for female empowerment and a proud mother of three.
Arpi Harutyunyan
Shtigen
Arpi Harutyunyan is the Chief Communications Officer at Shtigen Group with a master’s in Journalism from Yerevan State University. An award-winning reporter recognized by the UN, OSCE, and others, she has excelled in roles such as anchor, editor-in-chief, and communications officer. Arpi has led PR campaigns for organizations like UNDP and conducts training to empower regional youth. As a columnist for Mediamax, she highlights critical social issues.
Engage Armenia UAE
– Agenda
Saturday, November 23, 2024
10:30 to 17:30
10:30-11:00
Registration
11:00-11:30
Opening Remarks: Why Be Engaged with Armenia Today?
11:30-12:30
Showcasing Opportunities for Engagement (First Session)
Armenian Volunteer Corps, Teach For Armenia, HDIF, TUMO, National Network Foundation, VIVA Foundation, Optimize Consulting, Ameriabank
12:30-13:00
Coffee Break
13:00 - 14:00
Showcasing Opportunities for Engagement (Second Session)
Birthright Armenia, Hidden Road Initiative, reArmenia, Traveling Doctors, Impact Hub/VIA Fund, Buy Armenian, ARAR Foundation, Repat Armenia
14:00 - 14:20
Insight Talks: Armenia’s Security in a Turbulent World
Lara Setrakian and Armen Sahakyan
14:20 - 14:30
Introduction of the Networking Partners
Elena Vartazarian, Astkhik Oganesian, Victoria Papikyan, Elena Yakovleva, Luiza Avetisyan, Mariam Abrahamyan
14:30 - 15:15
Lunch
15:15 - 16:15
Breakout Sessions (Five Sessions)
1. Volunteering & internship
2. Education, culture & health
3. Repatriation & career opportunities
4. Business, investments & export promotion
5. Mentorship & supporting social initiatives
16:15 - 17:30
Networking with Speakers and Guests
Sunday 10:00 - 13:00
One-on-one Meetings (at the same place)
Don’t Miss Out – Reserve Your Spot
Connect with inspiring leaders, make new connections, and explore how you can contribute to Armenia’s future.
Seats are limited, reserve yours today!
Event Details
TIME
Saturday, November 23
10:30 to 17:30
QUESTIONS?
It was truly a pleasure for our community in Geneva to support such a remarkable initiative. The speakers from Armenia shared their positive energy with us and explained the tangible actions we can take for a stronger and better Armenia.
Miganouche Lucy Baghramian (Geneva)
Lawyer/President of the Armenian Union of Switzerland
The forum succeeded in bringing together a diverse array of individuals and organizations. These participants, distinguished by their varied experiences and expertise, prioritized engagement and participation over dissent.
Vaner Harutyunyan (Lyon)
Director of Conseil Français-Arméniens
Armenia is a reality beyond the politics–it is about experiences to share, challenges to face, successes to build, people to meet, devotion to fulfill, and an accomplishment to live. This event was an invitation to all of this.
Vartan Kaprielian (Paris)
Entrepreneur
Engage Armenia proved to be an extraordinary traveling exhibition of remarkable people, embodying the incredible opportunities to forge tangible bridges between the diaspora and our homeland.
Haik Khanamiryan (Amsterdam)
Consultant Agile Transformations/Executive member of AGBU Europe
Organizers
Partners in the UAE
Armenian Community Council in the UAE