FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Linda Yepoyan
May 2, 2006
Phone: 610-642-6633
[email protected]
Birthrigh t Armenia Hires Sevan Kabakian to Head Armenia Operations
Yerevan, Armenia – In a forward-looking initiative, Birthright Armenia has
announced that Sevan Kabakian will join the organization as Executive
Director to head up its Yerevan-based office, the Depi Hayk Foundation.
The announcement of the new directorship comes with much fanfare as the
organization celebrates its third year of successful service to Armenia and
the Diaspora and looks toward future expansion. Linda Yepoyan, Executive
Director for the organization’s U.S. operations, describes Kabakian as “a
committed, energetic and experienced individual who will bring excellent
leadership and vision to our Armenia-based operations. His decades of
grass-roots community experience within the Los Angeles Armenian community
will certainly serve as a great asset to Birthright Armenia/Depi Hayk.”
In his new position, Kabakian will be managing all of the organization’s
operations in Armenia, working with local organizations and governmental
branches to establish new areas for volunteer job placements and internship
programs, as well as enhance an already active connection between Armenia
and the Diaspora. He will also be charged with establishing the groundwork
for the future growth of the Depi Hayk Foundation, including expansion of
the organization outside Yerevan to the more rural areas of Armenia.
“Birthright Armenia is a wonderful vehicle by which countless Diasporan
youth will experience their ethnic homeland in a meaningful way,” says
Kabakian. “I look forward to serving the organization on this vital
mission.”
While his role with Birthright Armenia/Depi Hayk may be new, Kabakian is no
stranger to the Armenian Diasporan community, especially among Armenian
youth. Born in Lebanon, he has been a well-respected leader in the Los
Angeles Armenian community for 25 years. As leader of the Glendale Armenian
Youth Federation Badanees (Juniors), he actively encouraged a sense of
pride, duty and responsibility among youth through a strong connection to
the Motherland. “Visiting Armenia is at once a highly rewarding and
emotional experience,” says Kabakian. “I see myself as a host that welcomes
Diasporan youth to their second home.” As evidence of his dedication,
Kabakian led a group of Armenian youth in a pilgrimage to Western Armenia
last summer in an exploration of that lost element of the Armenian heritage.
Sevan Kabakian has an undergraduate degree from UCLA and a Master’s degree
in Aerospace Engineering from University of Southern California. Since 1987
he has worked as a flight performance engineer at McDonnell Douglas/Boeing.
On his journey to Armenia, he is joined by his wife, Klariss, and his three
young daughters, Naro, Naneh and Lalig.
Birthright Armenia’s mission is to strengthen ties between the Homeland and
Diasporan youth by affording them an opportunity to be a part of Armenia’s
daily life and to contribute to Armenia’s development through work, study
and volunteer experiences, while developing life-long personal ties and a
renewed sense of Armenian identity. For those interested in learning more
about Birthright Armenia, please visit or email
[email protected] .
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
