EPF Armenia Staff

Gevorg Ter-Gabrielyan comes to Eurasia Partnership Foundation with over eighteen years of experience in the private, public and NGO sectors. He was previously Senior Policy Advisor and Eurasia Programme Manager for International Alert in London and the Deputy Director of the Center for Regional Research in Yerevan. He has taught courses on politics and the economy with a focus on the Caucasus and the United States at both Yerevan State University and Bowling Green State University in Ohio. He has also worked as a business consultant in Moscow. Gevorg holds a PhD from Moscow State University in Turkic Linguistics, a Masters Degree in Society and Politics from Lancaster University, and a Masters in Public Administration from Bowling Green State University.

Vazgen Karapetyan joined the Foundation in 1998 as a Program Coordinator for the newly established South Caucasus Cooperation Program. Over 2003-2004, he studied at the Department of Public Policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill under the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program. Before re-joining the Foundation in 2006, he worked in the capacity of Program Manager with Catholic Relief Services in Armenia. Vazgen is a graduate of the Yerevan State Medical Institute. In addition, he holds an MA in Political Science and International Relations from the American University of Armenia. He is a a member of Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center NGO (Board Member since 2006).

Marina Ayvazyan began working with Eurasia Foundation in June 1998 as a Program Associate, then worked in the capacity of Program Officer for Private Sector programs. She now manages EPF’s Corporate Social Investment and Migration programs. Prior to joining the Foundation, she worked for local NGOs as a finance manager. Marina has a B.A degree in Mathematics from Yerevan State University, an MBA from American University of Armenia (AUA) (major in marketing) and is currently pursuing the degree of certified accountant at the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants (ACCA) of the UK. She also teaches Business Taxation for the ACCA students at the International Accountancy Business Center (IAB).

Prior to joining Eurasia Partnership Foundation Isabella used to work for USAID South Caucasus Water Program as public outreach/grants management specialist. She holds MSc degree in Sociology and Human Rights from London School of Economics and Political Science and Bachelor in Theology from Yerevan State University. She is member of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly international network since 1997.

Sylvia Svazyan began working with Eurasia Foundation in July 2005. Before joining the EF Armenia Office she has worked in different international organizations and projects including Tacis Projects, UNDP, MDF Kamurj, Raiffeisen Investment AG (an Austrian Investment Bank). She also worked as a journalist for National Radio for three years. She graduated from Yerevan State University with a degree in History and from American University in Armenia, Department of Political Science and International Relations.

Before joining the Eurasia Foundation, Suren held the position of Finance Manager at several international organizations in Yerevan, most recently Project Harmony Armenia. Suren also worked as a Finance Manager at Medecins Sans Frontieres – Belgium in Yerevan. Suren has Bachelor’s Degree in Banking and Finance from University of London, London School of Economics and in Computer Science from the State Engineering University of Armenia. He is a Qualified Accountant, certified by the Ministry of Finance and Economy and licensed by the Commercial Banks of Armenia (CBA) to hold a position on control committees of commercial banks in Armenia.

Nelly Khachatryan joined the Eurasia Partnership Foundation as Finance Assistant in March 2009. She has over nine years of work experience in the financial field at an international organization. Nelly assists in all aspects of financial management of Donor Contracts and Programs. She processes and maintains financial and accounting related documentation in accordance with EPF established procedures and policies.

Nelly holds a BS in linguistics from Yerevan State University, as well as certificates of courses on Financial Accounting from Yerevan State Institute of National Economy and International Accountancy Training Center (IATC).

Anna Sadoyan first joined Eurasia Partnership Foundation in October 2009 as an Intern. Since December 2010 she was promoted to the position of Finance Assistant. Anna holds a MBA from Armenian State University of Economics. Prior to joining EPF she has worked as an accountant in the private sector and has made internships in various Armenian banks.

Hermine Gabrielyan first joined Eurasia Foundation in 2004 as a Grants Associate. She has extensive experience in finance; before joining Eurasia Foundation, she worked as a specialist in auditing companies, most recently with the audit-consulting company Shale Consulting. She also has experience at international organizations including the World Bank. Hermine has Masters Degree in Economics and Management from the State Institute of Economics. She also has a degree in law from the State Administration Academy.

Haykanush Iskandaryan first joined Eurasia Foundation in 2001 as a Finance/Administrative assistant for the Yerevan office. In September 2004, she was promoted to the position of Grants Manager for the EF South Caucasus Cooperation Program. Prior to joining EF, she worked in both local (including governmental) and international organizations as an intern. Haykanush has a master’s degree in Economics.

Tigran Ghazaryan is the EPF Grants Associate. Tigran worked in EPF in 2007-2008. In 2008 he accepted the offer of “K-Telecom” CJSC to work as a Credit Control Senior Specialist. Prior to his work at the EPF, Tigran worked at the accountant capacity in various organizations: G M Magharo CJSC (Gold Mining Company), Global Source Net, CCDI NGO, IFES. Tigran has Bachelor Degree in physics although during last 7 years he was involved in accounting and finance related jobs.

Hmayak Hakobyan joined the Eurasia Foundation in 2005. Before joining the Foundation, from 1996-2005 Hmayak worked in various local and international organizations,such as “ArmAgrobank”, “A-Card”, “Armenian Development Agency”, “Team Energy”, ” Ministry of Finance and Economy, “J. A. Jones International” – New US Embassy project in Yerevan, and others. Hmayak graduated from Yerevan State Engineering University, Department of Computer Engineering.

Gayane began working with Eurasia Foundation in November 2005. Prior to joining EF, for more than eleven years, she worked for the United States Department of Agriculture’s local rural development project in Armenia, in positions varying from assistant to an agricultural advisor, to coordinator of educational projects, from gender and youth projects coordinator to chief liaison between the Armenian Agricultural University and USDA. Gayane also worked as a teacher of Russian in Talin College of the National Academy of Sciences and rural schools. She has a degree in Philology in Russian Language and Literature from Brusov Institute of Foreign Languages.

Marina Mkhitaryan manages anticorruption and media related programs at EPF. She holds a dual degree in Philology and Law from the Yerevan State University. She has also graduated from a post-graduate advanced training course in International Law and Legal Studies at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, US. Marina has worked in a variety of development projects in Armenia. She has designed and published one of the first English language newspapers in Armenia. She also specializes in public relations and international law. Currently she manages a network program designed to strengthen the cooperation of government, media and civil society in Armenia; and a media development program.

Mikayel Hovhannisyan comes to EPF from UNDP, where he has worked on projects “Building capacity for independent media”, “Human Rights Education”, and “Enhancing citizen participation in electoral processes”. Mikayel is also Assistant Professor at the Yerevan State University, Department of Oriental Studies. Prior to his work at UNDP, Mikayel worked as a columnist for the weekly newspapers New Yerevan Times and Panorama.am. His area of expertise was regional developments and analyses (South Caucasus and Middle East) as well as Civil Society and Policy Making. At the same time, Mikayel worked for the Diaspora-funded Birthright Armenia Foundation where he accumulated in-depth work experience with government, non-government, local and international stakeholders. Mikayel holds a PhD in Linguistics and Masters Degree in Muslim Philosophy from Yerevan State University.

Alice joined the EPF team in July, 2008. Previously she worked in the capacity of Project Manager for philanthropic non-profit Argentinean American organization FIDEC/FUNCEI (Fighting Infectious Diseases in Emerging Countries) and as a Senior Specialist in the Department of External Relations of the Presidency of Republic of Armenia.
She has a PhD from Yerevan State University in Latin-American Literature and has wide experience of teaching Spanish language, literature and civilizations in different Universities of Armenia.
Alice holds a Masters Degree in Computer Engineering from Yerevan State Engineering University, and Diploma in Journalism as a second specialization. She has been the Special Correspondent of Armenian newspapers in France, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.

Varya joined EPF in December 2010. She manages the Civil Society Strand of the USAID-funded Support to Armenia-Turkey Rapprochement Project. Prior to joining the EPF team, Varya worked at AED/Armenia where she managed the democracy and governance portfolio. Her work experience also includes associate and communication/outreach specialist positions at OSCE/ODIHR and USAID/Armenia respectively, as well as two years of vice-presidency with the Armenia-based Youth for Achievements NGO. Varya holds an MSc in NGOs and Development from the London School of Economics, as well as a BA/MA in English Language and Literature from Yerevan State Linguistic University.

Irina Pahlevanyan began working with Eurasia Partnership Foundation in January 2008. She first joined Eurasia Foundation in April 2005 as an Intern. Very soon she became an Administrative/Communications Assistant and from 2006 she assists two major programs. Irina has a M.A. degree in International relations and her internship passed in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of RA.

Artur Ghazaryan joined the Eurasia Partnership Foundation in the beginning of 2011 as a Programs and Communication Assistant. Artur’s previous work experience includes Regional Coordination of Youth and Community Action Program with AED Yerevan Office and Regional Community Development Coordination in the Tavush Region with Project Harmony Armenia.

In 2003 Artur has graduated from Yerevan University of Management and Information Technologies, getting Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. .

Hasmik Soghomonyan joined the EPF as Media/Communications Assistant in January 2011. Hasmik is former British Council employee and holds Masters degree in Public Administration from Slavonic University.

Gayane Manvelyan has graduated from Yerevan State Linguistic University after V. Brusov with Bachelor’s Degree in English Language and Area Studies and Master’s degree in European Studies. She has worked as an intern in the Armenian Center for National and International Studies and UN House in Armenia. She has a long record of participation in conferences, seminars and youth projects.

Anush Hayrapetyan joined EPF in 2008. She has an academic background in International Relations, Law and Human rights. Her previous work and volunteer experience include the organizations like the UN Yerevan office, National Youth Council of Armenia, etc.

Lena Atonyan joined Eurasia Partnership Foundation in January 2011 as an Administrative Assistant. Lena’s previous work experience includes working in “Armenpress ” news agency as a journalist. Most recently she was the Coordinator of credit system at Dean’s office of the Department of Russian language, Literature and Foreign languages at Yerevan State Linguistic University (YSLU). She also coordinated the “Internship” project implemented by EPF and YSLU. From 2008 Lena worked as a lecturer of Russian Language at the Department of Russian Language, Literature and Foreign languages YSLU. Lena graduated from Yerevan State Linguistic University in 2007. At the moment she is a postgraduate student at YSLU.

Jenny (Yevgenya) Paturyan combines work at EPF with teaching at the American University of Armenia. Prior to that she worked as a Program Manager at CRRC. Her educational background includes a PhD in Political Science from Jacobs University Bremen, Germany, an MA in Integrated Social Sciences form the same university, an MA in Political Science and International Affairs from American University of Armenia and a diploma in Philosophy from Yerevan State University.

Anna Muradyan is a journalist. Prior to joining Eurasia Partnership Foundation Anna used to work for Hetq and Ankakh weeklies. Anna is recipient of British Council’s Na/Ne media award. She graduated from Yerevan State University faculty of Physics and Journalism Department of Caucasus Institute.

Ararat Mirzoyan began working with Eurasia Partnership Foundation in November 2011. At the same time, Ararat is International news observer and analyst at Regnum News Agency. His area of expertise is Middle East. Ararat has experience of an editorial team member, international news observer and researcher with “Ambion” and “Aijm” newspapers, Armenian National Archives and Armenian Academy of Sciences. Ararat holds PhD in History and Diploma in Public administration.

Heghine Manasyan has a PhD in Economics with broad experience in research, teaching and policy analysis. Her primary areas of expertise include economic growth and development, political economies of transition, labor markets, poverty and education, privatization and underground economies. Dr. Manasyan is an author of over one hundred publications and articles. Prior to joining CRRC-Armenia Dr. Manasyan was actively involved in projects funded by international organizations (UNDP, WB, TACIS), implemented in Armenia and aimed at strengthening domestic capacity for high quality economic research and education. Dr. Manasyan’s educational background includes training at the Yerevan State University, State Academy of Management (Moscow), Central European University (Budapest) and Columbia University (New York).

Arman Melkonyan joined CRRC team in June 2011. He received his Master’s degree from Yerevan State University, Faculty of Sociology in 2008. Arman has honed his professional skills in different sociological surveys first as an interviewer (while a bachelor student during 1999-2002), then as fieldwork supervisor, focus group moderator, etc. Prior to joining CRRC-Armenia, from August 2008 to January 2011, Arman has worked as Data Manager at the Institute for Political and Sociological Consulting (IPSC) where he combined the work of questionnaire designer, statistician and reporting assistant. Arman also conducts SPSS training courses for students and researchers. Arman is interested in Sociology of Education, Political Sociology, Sociology of Army and Sociology of Knowledge

Ms. Anna Sarkisyan joined the CRRC team in 2004. Working in different departments at CRRC-Armenia, Anna is currently the Program manager for Fellowships and CSLW. She is a post-graduate student at the Department of History of Yerevan State University. Her educational background includes BA in International Relation, MA in History at the Yerevan State University. Anna participated in a range of training courses to advance the knowledge on different aspects of political science, such as, early warning systems, political economy, etc. The most recent one was the executive training on International Relation and Foreign Policy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, USA.

Hermine Mheryan graduated from Yerevan State University’s Department of History, and the Faculty of Social Professions (English Language) at the Armenian State Engineering University. Prior to joining the CRRC team, Hermine worked for a host of governmental, private and international organizations, including the Emergency Management Administration, the Ararat Gold Recovery Company, the EU TACIS Program and Lanza LLC.

Veronika Grigoryan has a Master’s Degree in Political Science and International Affairs from American University of Armenia and Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Yerevan State University. Ms. Grigoryan joined CRRC-Armenia in June 2010. Previously she has been working as a Chief Financial Specialist at Public TV Company of Armenia. During her studies she had internships in the financial department of Marriott Hotel-Armenia and in the government of the Republic of Armenia, as well as in the library of the American University of Armenia.

Vahan Galstyan holds Masters Degree in Computer and Information Science from American University of Armenia and a diploma in Psychology from Yerevan State University. Mr. Galstyan has an impressive employment record, which comes from various organizations he worked in, while holding both researcher’s and IT manager’s positions. Before joining CRRC, he worked as IT Manager at “Aither” LTD., served as Head Engineer at the Government of Armenia, held the position of Computer Specialist at the Association of English Language Teachers of Armenia (AELTA). Vahan also worked as Administrative and Research Assistant at the American University of Armenia, as well as in several other local and international organizations.

Monika Shahmenendyan holds her bachelor degree in Economics from Yerevan State University and MA in Management Information Systems at the same University. Now she works at CRRC as Research assisstant.