Our Board

Ani Simonian is a compassionate and driven individual who values every life-altering experience and individual she interacts with. She is a mother of three who uses her time efficiently to live life to the fullest, while setting a good example for her children. Honesty, respect, transparency, loyalty, and courage are the principles that guide Ani in all that she does.

Ani is heavily involved with numerous philanthropical organizations, as she loves to give back and help others. Her work and charitable contributions are integral components of her life and drive her success. She founded American Savings Financial Services in the early 2000s and has collaborated with several organizations to raise funds for those in need. Her annual donations provide funding for epilepsy research and training at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where Ani is also on the Leadership Council of Armenian Ambassadors.

In addition to her financial services work, Ani is the co-creator of projects like Mission Advancement through the Glendale YMCA. Her passion for helping others was tested in 2020 when she was unexpectedly confronted with the war in Artsakh. She managed to feed thousands of families for months and became a vessel in connecting over 120 displaced families who suffered from the war atrocities, connecting them to the diaspora for social and financial support.

Ani founded the non-profit organization "Armenians Unified," which supports children with hearing impairments through long-awaited surgeries and helps families grow stronger economically. Ani Simonian is a remarkable individual who inspires others to live with compassion, integrity, and a commitment to giving back to their communities.

Vahe Soghomonian is a well-respected businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who is the president and founder of AVDA Auction. He has been leading the company since its inception in 1985, and his passion and dedication have helped it grow into a successful enterprise.

Aside from his work, Vahe has several hobbies and interests that keep him busy. He is an avid golfer and loves spending time on the golf course. In addition, he enjoys traveling and exploring new places, meeting new people, and experiencing different cultures.

Vahe is also deeply committed to giving back to the community, and he has been a devoted supporter of Children's Hospital for the past 17 years. He believes in the importance of supporting medical research and providing care and support to children in need.

As a father and grandfather, Vahe values his family above all else. He enjoys spending time with his loved ones, sharing stories and experiences, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Furthermore, Vahe has a deep connection to his motherland, Armenia, and its beautiful people. He is passionate about helping those in need and has been actively involved in supporting various charitable organizations that serve the Armenian community.

In summary, Vahe is a successful businessman, devoted family man, avid golfer, passionate traveler, and philanthropist with a big heart for helping those in need. His legacy is not only his successful business but also his tireless efforts in making the world a better place.

Argo Keshishyan is a multi-talented individual with a unique combination of skills and experience. With a background in finance, he has spent years working in the financial industry, honing his analytical and problem-solving abilities. However, Argo's interests go far beyond finance.

For over a decade, he has been a humanitarian, dedicated to serving communities and making a positive impact in the world. He has worked on a variety of projects, including disaster relief efforts, community development initiatives, and healthcare programs. In addition to his work in finance and humanitarianism, Argo is also a energy healer. He has studied various healing modalities, including shamanism and energy work, and has a deep understanding of the power of plant medicines to heal the body, mind, and spirit.

Through his work as a healer, Argo has helped many people overcome physical and emotional challenges and connect with their higher selves.

He is passionate about spreading awareness of the benefits of plant medicine and helping others discover their own innate healing abilities.

Overall, Argo Keshishyan is a well-rounded individual with a diverse set of skills and experiences. He is driven by a desire to help others and make a positive impact in the world, and he continues to explore new ways to achieve these goals.

Armond Garibyan is a well-respected senior healthcare entrepreneur, humanitarian, composer, and podcast host. He is a proud father of two boys and has been dedicated to his family and career for many years.

With over 15 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Armond has been at the forefront of developing innovative solutions that have helped countless individuals and organizations. His entrepreneurial skills, strategic thinking, and commitment to excellence have earned him a reputation as one of the most successful and influential leaders in the field.

In addition to his professional achievements, Armond has also been actively involved in humanitarian work for over 20 years. He is deeply committed to making a positive impact on society and has devoted his time and resources to various philanthropic causes around the world.

Armond's passion for music is also well-known. He is a talented composer and has created beautiful piano music that has touched the hearts of many. His music is a reflection of his creativity and his ability to connect with people on a deeper level.

Armond is also the host of the popular WiseNuts podcast, where he shares his insights and knowledge on a wide range of topics, from healthcare and business to culture and philosophy. With a diverse range of guests and a unique perspective, the podcast has become a must-listen for many people around the world.

Anita Kazaryan, born in Armenia in 1982, experienced a magical childhood surrounded by the love of her immediate and extended family. Those early years, filled with outdoor play and carefree happiness, laid the foundation for her deep affection for her homeland, which continues to grow.

In 1991, Anita, along with her parents and younger sister, immigrated to the USA with the hope of embracing the freedoms and opportunities offered by this great land. She acknowledges and appreciates her parents' sacrifices in embarking on the courageous journey into the unknown for a better future.

Adapting to life in the United States, Anita found joy in making lasting friendships and immersing herself in a new culture and language. Her pursuit of education in her adopted country was a significant chapter, leading to the formation of a family with her loving husband and the blessing of three wonderful children.

Driven by a passion for helping others, Anita chose a career in education, dedicating the past 18 years to giving back to her community and beyond. She sees her role as assisting future generations in their educational journeys, contributing to the betterment of society.

Throughout this transformative journey, Anita has cherished her childhood memories and maintained a strong connection to her roots. Over time, this connection motivated her to take action and give back to her fellow Armenians who may not have had the same fortunate experiences. The knowledge that she has positively impacted the lives of others from her homeland is the most rewarding aspect of her philanthropic efforts.

Anita expresses gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to her philanthropic aspirations by joining a remarkable organization, where she can continue making a difference in the lives of those in need.

Born and raised in Armenia, by the age of 11, my family migrated to the United States, striving for a better life. My parents dreamt of a world filled with hope and tremendous opportunity for my younger brother and I. Although we made a move resulting in leaving behind our homeland, our identity and love for our country presented itself as something not to shy from. We were raised to love, and we were taught to appreciate our culture, people, and prowess. The importance of preserving our cultural identity shined when we spoke nothing asides from Armenian in our home.

Moving onto my life as of late, I now have three children of my own. As I became a mother, I began to understand the resemblance of my household today, along with my life as a child. The exposure of these similarities pushed me to urge the same as my parents did to me and my younger brother. Moreover, in relation to time, my love and embrace for the Armenian culture grows. The more I mature with life, the more I get to understand and show a new appreciation towards my country, along with its history, culture, and people. Throughout my lifetime, I have loved helping others, and the opportunity to help my beloved country and its people is truly a blessing.

For the last twenty years, I have learned the ins and outs of the financial industry. Currently, I find myself to be associated within the life insurance trade. Evidently, I strive to use my knowledge and background to help educate our younger generation towards sustaining generational abundance and wealth. My objective is to gain a positive experience and help cultivate younger individuals with respects to helping our people. The opportunity to be part of Armenians for Armenia is giving me the chance to help our motherland.

Anush Khojoyan was born in Yerevan, Armenia, and graduated Armenian National Agrarian University in 2003 with Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Audit. Immediately after, she moved to Clemson, South Carolina to pursue her Master of Science degree in Applied Economics and Statistics.

After the graduation in 2005, she moved to California and started working as an accountant. Later she went back to studying and successfully completed the requirements for her CPA license. She is currently working as a Financial Controller of a semiconductor manufacturing company. She was the treasurer then the president of the Board of Directors of “Armenia Nature Fund”, which was geared to support eco-tourism in Armenia and Artsakh.

Anush is a mother of an intelligent and caring young girl, who made her life much more meaningful and colorful. Anush is an avid hiker and seeks adventure when she has free time. In 2022, she was able to fulfill one of her dreams- she stood on top of Mt. Ararat and waved the Armenian flag.

Arick Gevorkian is a passionate educator and an experienced business/non-profit consultant with emphasis in marketing, communication, and public relations. He is an influential public speaker, trainer, avid community activist, youth advocate and volunteers his time as a director at youth camps. Mr. Gevorkian is a board member of a few nonprofit organizations and teaches music, music anthropology and folkloric instruments in two high schools in S. California.

His service to community, country, and education is extensive and has immensely contributed to countless nonprofit and youth organizations in the past 4 decades.

Jasmen Vartanian is the Founder and President of Calstar Realty & Mortgage in La Canada Flintridge, California.  Her dedication, honesty, and effort in putting her client’s needs first have contributed to her 35 years of successful career. She has been involved in various fund-raising organizations in support of Armenia throughout the past few years. Along with she has personally provided financial and emotional support to the families of the heroes who gave their lives for our Armenia.

Businessman
General director of Shengavit Medical Center

Date of birth: June 11, 1984

Education:
2004-2006
Yerevan State University, master’s degree in Economics
2000-2004
Yerevan State University, bachelor’s degree in Economics

Working experience
Since 2003
Shengavit Medical Center, executive director
Since 2020 general director of the Medical Center Shengavit
Scientific works
2009
Defense of PhD thesis, Business Processes Reengineering in the Medical Organization of Armenia
PhD of Economic Sciences
6 printed scientific works

Activity
Member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation of the Children of Armenia
Member of the Board of Armenian Unified Foundation

Knowledge of languages
Armenian, Russian, English