SOAR - Detroit Chapter
Detroit became part of the SOAR family in July 2011. Detroit has a large and diverse Armenian population, with an Armenian school and multiple Armenian churches. Today, Detroit is one of the major centers of Armenian populations in America. The community, which was organized around 1909, is comprised mainly of Kharpertsies, Sepastatsies, and Yozghatsies.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Cristina Frangulian
President
Cristina Frangulian is a recent graduate from the University of Michigan where she studied Political Science with a minor in Business Administration. She was born in Yerevan, Armenia and moved to the Metro-Detroit area with her family when she was five years old. After volunteering with children at a non-profit in Berlin, Germany for a summer, Cristina developed a strong interest in humanitarian work. She is eager to get involved with SOAR Detroit to support Armenians in need and give back to her community.
Dave Derderian
Dave Derderian is currently a software engineer at a cybersecurity company. He has a bachelors in Japanese Language & Literature and a Masters in Computer Science. Born and raised in the greater Detroit area, but in 2015, pursued a life long dream of living abroad in Japan as an English teacher. After returning to the US in 2019, he continued his passion for software development. After a trip to Armenia with Full Center for Housing, his desire to learn more about his heritage and culture blossomed, and has been getting more involved in the local community including volunteering with SOAR Detroit.
Tracey Katcherian
Tracey Katcherian works as the Operations Manager for Clean Fuels Michigan, with experience in supply chain management, project management, purchasing, and marketing. She is a Michigan native and earned her MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. She is an active member of the Detroit ARS Maro Chapter, and she, her husband, and two teenage children are active members at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in Dearborn. While her children were young, Tracey contributed to a variety of nonprofit organizations, including numerous public schools, a cooperative preschool, St. Sarkis Sunday School, Net Impact of Southeastern Michigan, and her homeowner’s association, often initiating new programs and serving in board positions. Tracey is eager to help make a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable Armenians across the globe.
Lerna Lacinian
Lerna was born in Yerevan, Armenia and was raised in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Lerna is currently a senior at Oakland University studying to receive her Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Operations Management with a concentration in Project Management. Lerna is very involved with the Armenian community here in Metro Detroit. She is the Social Media Chair for the Detroit chapter of ACYOA, a Sunday School teacher at St. John’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Southfield, a dancer and co-instructor for the Hamazkayin Arax Dance Ensemble as well as a substitute teacher at the A.G.B.U. Alex and Marie Manoogian School, which she attended for 15 years and graduated from.
Tatiana Santander
Tatiana Santander is an experienced Finance professional who leverages relationships and improves processes to successfully accomplish and sustain goals. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA where she earned double bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Real Estate from California State University, Northridge in 2007. Tatiana is fluent in Armenian, Spanish, and English. She enjoyed a 10-year career at ADP serving in a variety of roles, leaving her last position as Manager of Government Relations behind to focus on teaching and guiding her daughter Alessandra through her most formative years. Recognizing a lack of Armenian options, in 2021, Tatiana started an initiative to create educational and celebratory items for the modern-day Armenian toddler. Tatiana is excited to join SOAR Detroit in actively supporting Armenian orphans and those in need.
Ann Zartarian
Ann was born in Syria. Her father’s position as a minister with the Armenian Evangelical Church moved the family to Egypt. Five years later, the family moved to the United States. First Connecticut, then Boston, and finally in 1975, to Detroit. She is married to Mark and has 2 adult children.
Ann has a Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Wayne State University and was in private practice for several years. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees at the Armenian Congregational Church in Southfield, Michigan.
One of her most memorable experiences was her trip to Armenia with the Fuller Center for Housing, where she participated in the building of a home for a family in need.
VOLUNTEERS
Shoushig (Sue) Nigoghossian