Amplifying Armenian Storytelling Across Media Platforms

Sofi Abrahamyan (MAIRD ’25)

Project Coordinator, FemInno

Sofi Abrahamyan holds a Bachelor's degree in Translation from the Artsakh State University and a Master's degree in International Relations and Diplomacy (MAIRD) at the American University of Armenia (AUA). Witnessing the challenges faced by her community has developed a mission to become the voice for the people of Artsakh and build diplomatic bridges between Armenia and other nations.

Currently, Sofi works at FemInno, Armenia's leading female innovation platform. As a project coordinator, she contributes to initiatives that empower women, including supporting women from Artsakh through entrepreneurship and skills development. Her future goals are deeply connected with serving Armenia, whether in the non-governmental or public sector, and she believes her education at AUA was crucial in realizing this aspiration. 

Michael Agbabian

Co-Founder & Co-President, Mission Control Media

Michael Agbabian is an Emmy Award-winning television producer and the Co-Founder and Co-President of Mission Control Media, one of the world’s leading non-scripted production companies. Under his leadership, the company has produced a wide range of critically acclaimed content, earning multiple Primetime Emmys, Writers Guild Awards, Critics Choice Awards, and more.

Michael’s portfolio includes hit shows like NBC's Hollywood Game Night, Syfy's Face Off, HGTV's Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge, Netflix's Pressure Cooker, and Apple TV's Planet of the Apps. Mission Control Media also collaborates with major brands including Apple, Samsung, Mattel, Lyft, Twitch and LG to create original, high-impact branded content.

With a reputation for innovation and excellence, Michael continues to shape the future of non-scripted entertainment through storytelling that is both engaging and culturally resonant.

Liana Aghajanian

Award-Winning Journalist Covering Global Affairs & Social Impact

Liana Aghajanian is a journalist whose work has appeared in publications like the New York Times, The Guardian, The Atlantic, and BBC. She has reported on culture, the environment, and crime among other topics from across the U.S. and internationally, with stints in the UK, Germany, Mongolia, and Armenia. In addition to her reporting work, she serves as an editor at a fact-checking organization dedicated to combating misinformation on social media platforms. She is the winner of the Write A House residency program in Detroit, which awarded homes to writers. Now back on the West Coast, she is working on a project that traces the Armenian culinary legacy in America. Her writing can be found at www.lianaaghajanian.com

Sona Gevorgyan (BAEC '23)
Journalist & Fulbright Scholar

Sona Gevorgyan is a journalist and Fulbright scholar. She is pursuing her Master’s in Investigative Journalism at Arizona State University. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English and Communications from the American University of Armenia, where she co-founded The Highlander, the university’s student magazine. Inspired by her journalism classes and the lack of a dedicated platform for student voices, Sona launched the publication to create space for aspiring reporters. At AUA, she was an active founding member of TEDxAUA, a TEDx speaker and also served as a peer mentor. She is passionate about narrative storytelling and its power to bring attention to underreported issues. Her work has explored topics such as Armenian veterans and the impact of war, and has appeared in EVN Report, Cronkite News, and Peitho.

Armen Karaoghlanian

Founder & CEO, Armenian Film Society

Armen Karaoghlanian is a creative entrepreneur, producer, and published author, and the Founder and CEO of the Armenian Film Society and the Armenian Film Festival.

Armenian Film Society has partnered with esteemed organizations such as Vidiots, American Cinematheque, and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, and has welcomed notable guests including Sean Baker, Atom Egoyan, Allen Hughes, Howard Kazanjian, Mardik Martin, Sev Ohanian, and Ben Proudfoot.

Armen Karaoghlanian's work has been featured on Business Insider, Complex, Criterion Collection, Entertainment Weekly, Fast Company, FOX 11, The Hollywood Reporter, Hypebeast, Indiewire, and MUBI. In 2020, he authored Interiors: The Architecture of Cinematic Spaces, published by Intellect Books and distributed by the University of Chicago Press. In his career, he has been recognized with several honors, including Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2021) from the City of Glendale and the Paragon Diamond Award (2023) from the Glendale Educational Foundation.

Armen Karaoghlanian is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts.

Zaven Keuroghlian

Co-Founder & CEO, Zartonk Media

Zaven Keuroghlian is the Co-Founder and CEO of Zartonk Media, the largest independent Armenian digital media platform, reaching over 15 million digital users monthly and engaging more than 250,000 followers across the global Armenian diaspora and the homeland. Born in Beirut and raised in Los Angeles, Zaven is deeply rooted in his Armenian heritage and is a lifelong advocate for Armenian identity, education, and unity across borders—dedicated to building bridges between the homeland and the diaspora.

In 2018, he co-founded Zartonk Media with Van Der Megerdichian to tell authentic Armenian stories, strengthen Armenian identity, and advocate for cultural continuity, free speech, and visibility. Through journalism and cultural storytelling, Zartonk elevates Armenian voices globally—rooted in empowerment, truth, and community.

Under his leadership, Zartonk has become a powerhouse of Armenian journalism, producing thousands of original content pieces—from breaking news and diaspora features to cultural documentaries and educational series. Today, Zaven leads Zartonk’s editorial vision, partnerships, and digital strategy—mentoring the next generation of Armenian creatives and helping organizations grow through PR, branding, and storytelling.

Zaven has interviewed prominent public figures including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Patrick Bet-David, among others, and continues to champion Armenian-led innovation through ongoing series that spotlight entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and changemakers.