GLENDALE—The Armenian American Museum Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of Shant Sahakian as Executive Director effective March 1.

“The Board of Trustees are pleased to welcome Mr. Shant Sahakian as the Executive Director of the Armenian American Museum,” stated Executive Chairman Berdj Karapetian. “Mr. Sahakian brings strong leadership and community relations skills to the organization and will be an asset to the Museum in his new leadership role.”

Shant Sahakian first joined the Armenian American Museum project in 2014 as a member of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee. Since 2016, he has supported the Museum’s community outreach efforts. Most recently, he directed the staff, professionals, and volunteers who collectively organized the highly successful Inaugural Gala and Telethon. In his new role as Executive Director, he will be responsible for leading the organization’s development and community relations as well as collaborating with the Museum’s principal architect, exhibition design consultant, and construction team.

“I am grateful to the Board of Trustees for their trust and the opportunity to serve as the Executive Director of the Armenian American Museum,” stated newly appointed Executive Director Shant Sahakian. “We have a unique opportunity to build a landmark cultural and educational center that will serve generations to come and I am excited to work with our board, staff, volunteers, and community to make this historic project a reality.”

In addition to his role at the Museum, Sahakian is an Elected Member of the Glendale Unified School District Board of Education. He was elected in April 2017, becoming the youngest School Board Member elected in Glendale history.

Shant Sahakian is a lifelong resident of Glendale and has deep roots in the community. In the past, he has served as the Chair of the City of Glendale Arts & Culture Commission, Chair of Glendale Youth Alliance, President of the Glendale Parks & Open Space Foundation, and Vice President of Glendale Kiwanis. Sahakian’s professional career began at the age of 14 when he founded his own digital agency serving businesses and non-profit organizations with design and technology services.

Sahakian became the first Armenian American to be honored with the prestigious Man of the Year Award from the Glendale Chamber of Commerce in 2016. He is also a recipient of the Hope Diamond Award from the Glendale Educational Foundation, Community Award from the Character & Ethics Project, and the inaugural Hero Award from Glendale Youth Alliance.

Sahakian holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design with a Marketing Minor from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and a Certificate in Marketing from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA Extension).

Shant and his wife, Suzanna, reside in Glendale, California with their son, Raffi Sebastian Sahakian, and are expecting their second child.

The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California is a developing project in Glendale, CA with a mission to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience. The Museum will serve as a cultural campus that enriches the community, educates the public on the Armenian American story, and empowers individuals to embrace cultural diversity and speak out against prejudice.

The governance of the Museum is entrusted to ten Armenian American cultural, philanthropic, and religious non-profit institutions including the Armenian Catholic Eparchy, Armenian Cultural Foundation, Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, Armenian General Benevolent Union Western District, Armenian Missionary Association of America, Armenian Relief Society Western USA, Nor Or Charitable Foundation, Nor Serount Cultural Association, Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, and Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

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