Lazarian Elected to Board of Armenia Fund USA

NEW YORK—Having served as the executive director of Armenia Fund USA (U.S. Eastern Region Affiliate) for over a decade, Irina Lazarian will become a member of the board of directors and assume a new position as managing director of the Howard Karagheusian Commemorative Corporation. The foundation is active in Armenia, Karabagh, Syria, and Lebanon, implementing initiatives that help lift disadvantaged children and families out of the cycle of poverty and disease.

During her tenure at Armenia Fund USA, Lazarian presided over the launching of many far-reaching nation-building programs, including education and health care delivery, infrastructure, humanitarian aid, and socio-economic development. She oversaw all fundraising and charitable operations and worked hand in hand with members of the board. She also organized 10 telethons and 3 phonathons and planned 3 anniversary galas.

While Armenia Fund USA generates financial support as a primarily grass-roots organization, the Karagheusian Corporation is funded by a perpetual endowment from a single benefactor. This allows Lazarian to accept both posts without the potential for any conflict of interest.

Lazarian, who began working at Armenia Fund USA in 1998, explained why she accepted the invitation to join the Armenia Fund USA board. “It will always feel like home to me,” she said. “I have had the privilege of coming to know so many wonderful donors and supporters along the way, not to mention the many talented and fascinating board members past and present. It would be sad to break those longstanding relationships after all these years. Fortunately, as a board member, I can enjoy the best of both worlds.”

Armenia Fund Chairman Khoren Bandazian expressed similar sentiments. “While we understand that Irina deserves to expand her professional horizons to communities outside of Armenia, we are happy to know that she will make the time to serve on our board. Irina possesses a unique perspective gained through many years of managing the day-to-day operations of all facets of our organization. As a highly skilled non-profit specialist, Irina will continue to provide the practical insights, strategies, and know-how that help inform our board’s decisions. Only now, she also gets to vote on them.”

“Considering Irina’s accomplishments during her tenure at Armenia Fund USA, especially in the field of health care and education, she will bring a wealth of fresh ideas and expertise to her new position,” said Armenia Fund Treasurer Aram Pehlivanian. Lazarian singlehandedly spearheaded the introduction of telemedicine to Armenia, for example, which has grown into its own international physicians’ network under the banner of HyeBridge Telehealth. Using digital, videoconferencing, and satellite-driven technologies, the system connects doctors from remote locations in Armenia and Karabagh to practitioners of western medicine—in real time.

Leveraging her own engineering background, Lazarian will continue to serve as a mentor and advisor to recipients of the Norman Miller Scholarship program, for budding engineers and designers in Armenia. She is also involved with the Meal and Meds program launched with the generosity of Meline Tufenkcyian for the TB hospital in Gyumri, as well as the neurosciences and neurosurgical training program for the regional stroke center in Yerevan.

“I look forward to visiting other countries with strong Armenian communities in addition to the work that continues in Armenia,” Lazarian said, noting the current instability and chaos in Syria and Lebanon that have disrupted the lives of many Armenian families. “I am ready to take on the challenges presented, which, in many ways, are similar to the state of affairs in Armenia during the early years of its independence. Now I am in a position to help make a difference.”

Lazarian is a graduate of the State Engineering University of Armenia (SEUA) with a degree in computer science. She also holds a master’s degree from the American University of Armenia (AUA) in industrial engineering with a major in quality control and management.

Her prior work experience includes the role of teacher and researcher at SEUA, as well as a customer services and human resources manager at HSBC/Armenia. Lazarian is also a member of various professional membership organizations and is the Armenia Fund USA representative to the United Nations. She resides in Hoboken, N.J.