SOAR - Seattle Chapter
Seattle became part of the SOAR family in February 2011, representing SOAR’s first foray into the Pacific Northwest. SOAR-Seattle brings together a group of young and experienced volunteers with a special place in their hearts for orphaned children. The Armenian community in Seattle is relatively small, but galvanized by the Armenian Church and the Armenian Cultural Association of Washington (ACAW). Located in Redmond, the Holy Resurrection Armenian Apostolic Church of Seattle was established in November 1981, with Rev. Fr. Yeghia Isayan named the permanent priest in June 2003. The ACAW is a non-profit organization whose objective is to preserve and perpetuate the Armenian culture and heritage in all aspects of life through the enhancement of its language, art, music, literature, dance and theater in the greater Seattle area.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Karl Afrikian
Karl recently moved to Seattle from Boston and has experience in international development, project management, and finance. He earned a Master of Art in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Global Affairs at Tufts University, where he conducted research into Armenian Diaspora business development and regional geopolitics.
Karl served for nearly two years with the U.S. Peace Corps in Ukraine, where he worked with the Armenian community in his city on developmental and cultural projects. While earning his bachelor’s degree, he also became the first undergraduate student to participate in a study abroad program at the American University of Armenia in Yerevan. He additionally interned a summer at PINK Armenia.
Outside of professional and volunteer activities, Karl enjoys skiing, hiking, and being near the water. He is excited to join SOAR and contribute to the building of a stronger Armenia.
Angelina Petrosyan
Angelina Petrosyan graduated from Seattle University School of Law in 2015 and has been practicing law since 2016. Angelina has 10 years of experience working in the legal field. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Communication from University of Washington. While in Law School, Angelina developed a strong interest in helping people through the difficulties and stresses of the criminal process. She also participated in the Youth Advocacy Clinic, successfully assisted in a clemency matter, which resulted in a release of a man who spent 20 years in prison, and completed an externship at the Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons (SCRAP).
Angelina is very passionate about helping Armenian families and children in need and is extremely excited to be a part of SOAR. She was born in the Former Soviet Union where she resided until her family immigrated to Washington in 1991. Angelina is fluent in Russian. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, traveling, and wine tasting.
Amélie Touroyan
Amélie Touroyan is a full-time MBA candidate at the Foster School of Business, University of Washington. She joins SOAR from a career in business development where she has built revenue-boosting programs during critical growth periods for technology-first businesses. Most of all, Amélie enjoys working across Sales, Marketing, Product, and Talent teams to move strategic projects across the finish line. Previously, she brought consumer insights and design thinking to the world’s airlines across APAC, North America, and Europe.
Amélie’s beginnings are in program development for large-scale support of local non-profit organizations. She is very proud to support the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief Seattle as a board member.