National Board of Directors

George S. Yacoubian, Jr., Ph.D., LL.M.
President
gyacoubian@soar-us.org

George S. Yacoubian, Jr. has a Master’s Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Management, and a J.D. from the Rutgers University School of Law. He is currently pursuing an LL.M. in Transnational Law from the Temple University School of Law. He is in private practice specializing in criminal defense and family law, with a particular interest in international adoption law. He is Core Faculty with the Criminal Justice Institute of Nova Southeastern University. He and his wife Erica live in Philadelphia, PA, and adopted a baby girl (Liliana) from Armenia in April 2006. They conceived of the idea of SOAR during a visit to an orphanage in the summer of 2005.

Hagop Keshishian, P.E.
Vice-President

Hagop Keshishian, PE has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. He holds a Professional Engineer License in the States of Pennsylvania and New Jersey and is a New Jersey Certified Municipal Engineer. Currently Hagop performs engineering and project management services for a construction company and a development company in Philadelphia. Hagop is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Society of Professional Engineers. Hagop presently resides in Abington, PA.

Sarah A. Selverian, M.B.A
Treasurer

Sarah A. Selverian earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Drexel University and a Master of Business Administration in Management from West Chester University. In 2004, she graduated from the Chester County Leadership Connection which focused primarily on Board of Director Leadership and responsibility. She has over fifteen years of experience in all areas of business development, client relations, human resources and financial management, analysis, and auditing. She excels as a manager, leading and developing employees and overseeing the overall operations of organizations. Sarah and her husband Adam live in Phoenixville, Pa with their two children, Simon and Tiffany.

Erica Yacoubian
Secretary

Erica currently works in the pharmaceutical industry, having held various roles over the past 12 years. She has a Masters in Physical Therapy from the University of Scranton, where she practiced for several years in the Inova Hospital system in Arlington, Virginia. Erica enjoys spending as much time as possible with her 3 growing girls. Liliana, her eldest little angel, is the reason she serves on the SOAR National Board. In the adoption process, Erica came across many beautiful children whose lives were much different from her own. Those from where Liliana was adopted are considered by Erica to be Lili's brothers and sisters...and Erica hopes that the efforts of the organization are maximized to fulfill even the most basic needs of these sweet children.

Asadur Minasian

Asadur Minasian earned a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology with a Minor in Pre-Law from Widener University. After graduating from Widener, he was offered a position at MBNA America as a Fraud Investigator. Asadur was responsible for investigating fraudulent activities on customer accounts. After 4 yrs with MBNA, Asadur wanted to do what he truly loved, and that was work with Art and Custom Framing. He established Masterpieces Fine Art & Custom Framing, Inc. in 2002 and is currently the President of the company. Asadur recognizes that many Armenians, young and old, are great artists and displays art direct from Armenia. He is currently a member of the PPFA (Professional Picture Framers Association) and currently resides in Newtown Square with his wife Arpy and 3 children Vahe, Sareen, and Nare.

Tanya M. Bardakjian, M.S.

Tanya M. Bardakjian has a Master of Science degree in genetic counseling. She is Board Certified by the American Board of Genetic Counselors. She practices at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA and is the coordinator of the anophthalmia genetic research program. She has authored many scientific publications in the field of Genetics. She is a clinical supervisor for genetic counseling students from Arcadia University and lectures to medical students and medical residents regularly. She, her husband and three daughters live in Media, PA.