Engage Armenia Forum
In Canada
Bringing Armenia's opportunities to the diaspora
Montréal
Canada 2026
Forum Dates
Choose your forum, view the event details, and register for Engage Armenia Forum Canada 2026.
OCT22THU6:30 PMONTARIOToronto
Armenian Youth Centre - Hamazkayin Theatre ↗50 Hallcrown Pl, North York, ON M2J 1P7, CanadaAgendaRegister
Toronto
Armenian Youth Centre - Hamazkayin Theatre ↗50 Hallcrown Pl, North York, ON M2J 1P7, CanadaAgendaRegisterToronto Forum Agenda
OCT24SAT1:30 PMQUÉBECMontréal
Armenian Général Bénevolent Union of Montréal ↗805 Rue Manoogian, Saint-Laurent, QC H4N 1Z5, CanadaAgendaRegister
Montréal
Armenian Général Bénevolent Union of Montréal ↗805 Rue Manoogian, Saint-Laurent, QC H4N 1Z5, CanadaAgendaRegisterMontréal Forum Agenda
OCT25SUN2:00 PMQUÉBECMontréal
Sourp Hagop Armenian School - Pastermajian Hall ↗3400 Rue Nadon, Montréal, QC H4J 1P5, CanadaAgendaRegister
Montréal
Sourp Hagop Armenian School - Pastermajian Hall ↗3400 Rue Nadon, Montréal, QC H4J 1P5, CanadaAgendaRegisterMontréal Forum Agenda
Your skills,
your connection:
Armenia's next chapter
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.
The Engage Armenia Forum brings together diaspora professionals across Canada to discover meaningful, practical ways to engage with the homeland, from where you live or from Armenia. Expect interactive pitches and networking opportunities that connect you to organizations and programs working to strengthen Armenia.
Meet Our Hosts
Hosts
Tap on a host to read their bio
Nelly Poliakov
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.
LinkedIn Profile
Christopher Dedeyan
Christopher Dedeyan is a professional speaker, peak performance and communication coach, and Founder & CEO of Dedeyan Enterprises. He helps entrepreneurs, executives, and leaders elevate their performance, strengthen their communication, and achieve sustainable business growth. Having worked with organizations including PepsiCo, Pfizer, and Red Bull Racing, Christopher combines practical strategies with engaging storytelling to inspire meaningful action. He is the coauthor of Play for Profit: The Correlation Between Sports and Business and founder of Dedeyan Academy, where he helps entrepreneurs develop their speaking and communication skills. As a learning disability advocate, Christopher believes limitations should never define human potential.
LinkedIn Profile
Harout Nercessian
Harout Nercessian is Global Field Director and Canada Representative, specializing in external relations, organizational development, and leadership in the nonprofit sector. He builds and nurtures long-term relationships with churches, partners, and individuals across North America through personal engagement and consistent communication, guided by a Christian worldview and a commitment to integrity. As a Board member of the Armenian Missionary Association of Canada, Harout contributes to organizational development through event leadership, donor communications, and administrative initiatives. His professional background spans relief and development programming, operations, finance, human resources, and external relations, alongside experience in quality assurance and software development in Canada. He has also served on the Executive Committee of ECLOF Armenia. Harout is passionate about thoughtful leadership, effective organizational stewardship, and developing people and partnerships that contribute to meaningful and sustainable impact.
LinkedIn Profile
Ari Mike Varjabedian
Ari was born in Montreal to Lebanese-Armenian parents and attended Ecole Armenienne Sourp Hagop from kindergarten through graduation, alongside years in Homenetmen, AGBU, AYF, and the Hamazkayin Ani Dance Ensemble. A member of the Barreau du Québec, he founded E-Legal Counsel in 2023 — a fully remote business law firm serving founders and companies across Canada. That same year, remote work allowed him and his wife to begin spending part of each year in Armenia. Their son, Luca Monte, born in 2024, has already spent half his life in the homeland. Ari believes the diaspora's most valuable contribution to Armenia is not sentiment but capability — showing up with skills, capital, and time.
LinkedIn ProfileMeet Our Speakers
Leaders & Changemakers
Tap on a speaker to read their bio
Vartan Marashlyan
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.
LinkedIn Profile
Sevan Kabakian
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.
LinkedIn Profile
Arina Zohrabian
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.
LinkedIn Profile
Katrina Shakarian
Katrina Shakarian
Katrina Shakarian is a New York City native whose parents are from Artsakh and Iran. She has built her career at the intersection of public service and social impact—first as a New York City public school teacher, then as a Kiva Fellow in Nairobi, Kenya, and later as a spokesperson for New York City’s campaign finance program. In 2018, Katrina moved to Yerevan, Armenia, where she joined TUMO Center for Creative Technologies before becoming part of the Armenia Education Initiative (AEI). She currently serves on AEI’s Development team, helping advance the organization’s mission to develop education leaders and strengthen Armenia’s education system. AEI is an umbrella organization that encompasses Teach For Armenia and its other education initiatives.
LinkedIn Profile
Nazareth Seferian
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 VIA Fund, the first impact investment fund for social enterprises in Armenia. VIA Fund has supported 16 social enterprises to grow their businesses and impact in Armenia. Nazareth holds an MBA and professional certificates in Sustainable Business as well as Impact Investment. He is married and has three children, and he believes Armenia is an amazing place to raise kids.
LinkedIn Profile
Anush Ter-Khachatryan
Anush Ter-Khachatryan is the Interim CEO of Health For Armenia, where she leads the organization's strategy, partnerships, and advancement to help build resilient leaders and systems that transform healthcare in Armenia. Her work focuses on strengthening the organization's impact toward a future where everyone in Armenia has access to a high-quality, patient-centered healthcare system.
Previously, she led pioneering entrepreneurship and accelerator programs at Creative Armenia, supporting hundreds of artists and creative entrepreneurs while helping shape Armenia's creative ecosystem. Anush is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at the University of York and the University of Strasbourg.
Suzanna Shamakhyan
Suzanna Shamakhyan
Suzanna Shamakhyan is an education strategist and policy leader working at the intersection of policy innovation and education. As Executive Director of the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST), she drives large-scale initiatives that shape innovation and education ecosystems and catalyze systemic change. With over 15 years of experience, Suzanna has led transformative programs in education and research, developed policy frameworks in collaboration with government bodies, and built international partnerships spanning more than 40 countries. Her work focuses on designing sustainable systems, influencing national agendas, and enabling the next generation of innovators and changemakers.
LinkedIn Profile
Hrayr Barsoumian
Hrayr Barsoumian is the Founder and CEO of Optimize Consulting. Born into an Armenian family in Lebanon, he relocated to Armenia eight years ago.
Holding a Master's Degree in Economics and the FRM® certification, Hrayr has extensive international experience in financial management, risk management, business consulting, and project management across the banking, insurance, investment, and contracting sectors.
In addition to leading Optimize Consulting, he teaches in the Executive MBA program at YSMU and mentors young professionals and startups. His repatriation journey and entrepreneurial experience offer valuable insights into building a successful career and business in Armenia.
Inessa Margaryan
Inessa Margaryan is the Director of Humanitarian Projects & Volunteer Engagement at AGBU Armenia, where she leads initiatives connecting the Armenian Diaspora with Armenia through humanitarian, cultural, and community programs. Over the past six years, she has also led AGBU Armenia’s humanitarian response to the displacement of Armenians from Artsakh, coordinating large-scale programs, partnerships, resources, and volunteers. Inessa is also a Project Management Professor at the French University in Armenia.
LinkedIn Profile
Shant Kassardjian
Shant Kassardjian
Shant Kassardjian is a seasoned cybersecurity professional with over 20 years of international experience. He leads the development and implementation of Armenia’s Computer Emergency Response Team (AM-CERT), supporting the country’s cybersecurity and digitalization efforts. He is also involved in cybersecurity education and awareness initiatives aimed at developing Armenia’s future cyber workforce.
Previously, Shant held key roles at Hitachi Systems Security Inc. and KPMG LLP, where he worked on information security programs, risk assessments, and security controls for IT and OT environments.
Nanor Balabanian
Nanor Balabanian
Nanor Balabanian is an educator, nonprofit director, and passionate advocate for Armenia’s rural communities. Born in Aleppo, Syria, and raised in Anjar, Lebanon, she moved to the United States at age 15 and later earned her B.A. in Political Science from UC Santa Barbara and M.A. in Education from Stanford University.
After nine years of teaching in California, Nanor moved to Armenia in 2020 to lead the Hidden Road Initiative, the nonprofit she founded while in college to expand educational and leadership opportunities for youth in Armenia’s rural and border communities. Today, she leads HRI, works in educational consulting, and serves as Adjunct Faculty at the American University of Armenia.
Samson Avetian
Samson Avetian is a venture finance professional, and CEO of eqwefy, a regulated investment platform enabling local and diaspora investors to access promising Armenian technology Startups on the same terms as professional investors. With academic background in Sweden and Harvard Business School, he has more than 2 decades of investments, finance and Startup experience. He is the author of Armenia’s Economy: The Next 25 Years and has helped facilitate the advancement of Armenia’s technology, innovation and venture finance.
Samson Avetian moved back to Armenia in 2010. He believes that Armenia has all the prerequisites for success, and as demonstrated with the tech ecosystem, the Diaspora connection gives it a competitive edge.
Emma Matossian
Emma Matossian
Emma Matossian was born and raised in Canada and has been actively involved with the Armenian Youth Federation for over 15 years. She currently serves on the AYF Canada Central Executive, contributing to initiatives that engage Armenian youth and strengthen their connection to Armenia. Since her first visit to Armenia in 2019, Emma has returned every year, developing a deeper connection to the country and its communities. Through AYF Youth Corps, she is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for Diasporan youth to experience Armenia firsthand, give back to local communities, and build lasting ties to their homeland.
LinkedIn ProfileTestimonials
You brought people together who had not seen each other for years, gave awesome impulses and we will use this momentum to continue building the community as the foundation for engagement and repatriation.
It was one of the best events I’ve attended because we finally heard about the future of Armenia and the opportunities ahead.
It’s a new format. It’s more engaging. And it demystifies the ways in which you can engage with Armenia.
The first thing that was amazing about this event was that there were 22 different organizations involved and presenting together.
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.
The forum succeeded in bringing together a diverse array of individuals and organizations, prioritizing engagement and participation.
Armenia is about experiences to share, challenges to face and successes to build.
Engage Armenia proved to be an extraordinary traveling exhibition of remarkable people.
Highlights
Get a glimpse of our past Engage Armenia Forums
Engage Armenia Germany 2025
Engage Armenia Dubai 2024
Engage Armenia Europe 2024
About the Organizers
Who We Are
Established in 2012, Repat Armenia has been one of the core organizations of the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation since 2019. Based in Armenia, it offers free services and consultations that support repatriation and Diaspora engagement with Armenia. Its flagship project, the Engage Armenia Forum, is primarily funded by the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation. The forum is a live platform where the Diaspora meets leading organizations from Armenia and finds concrete ways to get involved.
contact@engagearmenia.org
Sponsors
Participating Organizations
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