SOAR - Johannesburg Chapter
Johannesburg joined the SOAR family in May 2018. Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa and one of the 50 largest urban areas in the world, is located in the mineral-rich Witwatersrand range of hills and is the center of large-scale gold and diamond trade. Approximately 250 Armenians reside in Johannesburg.
Mane Poghosyan
President
Driven by a deep commitment to education, community, and child welfare, Mane Poghosyan combines professional leadership experience with a passion for human development. She holds a Master’s degree in Project Management and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of London.
Mane has worked with startups and small businesses to design scalable systems, align teams, and strengthen support structures. In addition to her professional work, she has explored holistic practices through international study of energy healing methodologies. Her long-term goal is to integrate scientific knowledge with human-centered approaches to better understand the connection between mind and body.
Mane looks forward to expanding the South Africa Program Chapter by supporting initiatives such as the Cultural Discovery Program, as well as integrating other meaningful programs that can help improve the lives of orphaned Armenian children.
Elena (Yelena) Khachaturyan-Love
Vice President
Elena is a Cambridge-certified English tutor and creative writer with over two decades of international experience spanning education, humanitarian work, and strategic outreach. She holds a BA in Linguistics and Literature and is currently pursuing a degree in journalism with a UK-based institution, further deepening her expertise in expressive writing and storytelling.
Elena has worked with organizations such as Save the Children, the United Nations World Food Program, the Armenian Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross, and the Wikimedia Foundation supporting community development, emergency relief, and educational initiatives across Armenia and Africa. She brings experience in grants writing and fundraising, using language to drive engagement and support meaningful causes. In South Africa, she co-founded and operated a series of independent bookstores for nearly seven years, combining entrepreneurial leadership with a passion for literacy and community engagement. Based in Johannesburg, she focuses on curriculum design, bilingual instruction, and inclusive communication that empowers learners and amplifies impact.