SOAR - Kentucky Chapter
Kentucky became part of the SOAR family in May 2014. While Kentucky, unlike most of SOAR’s Chapters, has a relatively small Armenian population, their local Board of Directors brings a heartfelt level of enthusiasm that epitomizes our mission and expectations.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Taleen Odabashian
President
Taleen was born in Jerusalem, Israel. She graduated from Furman University with a B.A. in Ancient Cultures and Linguistics. In 2017 she moved to Elizabethtown, KY where she taught English as a second language at an elementary school. She is married and has two kids. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, writing and watching her boys compete in sports.
Nano Movsisyan
Treasurer
Nano was born in Kapan, Armenia. In 1993 her family moved to Russia. After graduating from Taganrog State University in 2006 her adventurous spirit brought her to US. She worked as a translator/interpreter for various organizations in Louisville, KY. Currently a stay-at-home mom to two children.
Kirsten Benson
Kirsten served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Armenia from 1996 to 1998. Stationed in the city of Abovian, she taught English to children in Abovian and the village of Akunk. Following her Peace Corps service, she worked as International Operations Manager for the Jinishian Memorial Program of the Presbyterian Church (USA). In that role, she supervised Jinishian’s three largest relief and development programs in Armenia, Lebanon and Syria. In 2008, she and her husband adopted their son, Jacob (aka Hakopik), from Armenia. Kirsten currently is the Volunteer Coordinator for Radio Eye, a radio reading service for the blind.