ANC-WR Welcomes New Gov’t Relns Dir and Special Projects Coordinator

Armenian National Committee – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

January 21, 2010
Contact: Lerna Shirinian
Email: [email protected]

ANC-WR WELCOMES NEW GOVERNMENT RELATIONS DIRECTOR
AND SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR

GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA – The Armenian National Committee-Western
Region (ANC-WR) is pleased to welcome long-time community activists
Tamar Yardemian Baboujian and Lerna Kayserian Shirinian to the ANC-
WR team as they gear up to meet the challenges of 2010 and beyond.

"The ANC is thrilled to have Lerna and Tamar join the ANC team as
full time staff," stated ANC-WR Chairman Vicken Sonentz-Papazian,
"Our latest additions bring an impressive resume of dedication,
skill and service in advancing the interests of the Armenian
American community and the Armenian Cause.

As the new Special Projects Coordinator, Mrs. Baboujian brings with
her nearly two decades of community activism. A member of the
Armenian Youth Federation – Western Region since the age of 8, she
served on numerous Central Committees as well as Executive member
of the San Fernando Valley Sardarabad Chapter. Mrs. Baboujian has
also attended AYF Summer Camp for 15 years, both as camper and
counselor.

Mrs. Baboujian is a graduate of the University of California –
Irvine with a degree in Studio Arts, Photography. Following the
completion of her undergraduate education, she received her
master’s in Public Policy from the University of Southern
California, with an emphasis in nonprofit management and
leadership.

"I am excited to continue building on past accomplishments of the
ANC-WR and working hard to advance the interests of the Armenian
American community," said Baboujian.

As the new Government Relations Director, Mrs. Shirinian brings
many years of hands-on experience in community and political
activism. She has been involved with the ANC-WR for nearly a
decade, serving both on the ANC Professional Network Executive
Committee and the ANC-WR Board of Directors. Mrs. Shirinian also
served as a Field Deputy for State Assemblymember Anthony
Portantino (D-44), where she advised the Member on immigration,
child care and foster care issues and was the point of contact for
outreach to the Armenian American community.

A graduate of the University of Southern California, Mrs. Shirinian
received her degree in Political Science, with an emphasis on Peace
and Conflict Studies. During her undergraduate years, she served as
an intern at Human Rights Watch in Los Angeles and in Armenia at
the Armenian Center for National and International Studies.

"I look forward to taking my activism to the next level as
Government Relations Director," said Mrs. Shirinian. "I am proud to
serve in this position and look forward to working with our elected
officials to advance our community’s Hai Tahd agenda."

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest
Armenian American grassroots community organization in the Western
United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and
affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR works to
promote understanding regarding issues of concern to the Armenian
American community.

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Photo Caption : ANC-WR Government Relations Lerna Kayserian Shirinian
Photo Caption : ANC-WR Special Projects Coordinator Tamar Yardemian Baboujian

www.anca.org