We’re excited to announce that TEDxYerevan is back with its first event of 2023!
With the theme of “Everyday Frontlines”, TEDxYerevanSalon will feature a lineup of remarkable speakers, each with their unique experiences and perspectives.
In the face of adversity and challenges, Armenian women have shown incredible resilience and determination. They take on critical roles, often without much fanfare or recognition, putting in long hours to drive meaningful progress in all aspects of public and private life.
These extraordinary women are leading the way in breaking down barriers and creating fundamental change in their respective fields. They have emerged as leaders, innovators and changemakers, bringing about real progress. Their tireless work and unwavering commitment to creating a prosperous and empowered society are truly inspiring.
They are not only contributing to the growth and development of Armenia but are also paving the way for a more resilient and equitable future. They are truly on the frontlines of everyday life.
Join us on May 27, 2023 at TEDxYerevanSalon to hear from our incredible speakers, learn from their experience, be inspired by their resilience and celebrate the impact they are having in all aspects of our society.
Mark your calendars for the event and read more about our amazing speakers below.
Meet our Speakers
Anna Bruno
Anna Doghramdjian Bruno was born and raised in Armenia and later emigrated to the US in 1991. She graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in biochemistry from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and also earned a Certificate in Retirement Planning from the Wharton School.
Anna started her financial advising career at Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. before founding Anna Bruno & Associates in 2003. In 2022, she launched the “Get Skills with Anna Bruno” Youtube channel, where she teaches personal finance and success skills to a worldwide audience.
In 2021, Anna founded the Thrive Armenia Foundation to advance the standard of living in Armenian communities through educational programs and cultural initiatives. She also established the Get Skills Academy (GSA), which aims to provide new professions and job opportunities for support soldiers, their families, displaced families and other vulnerable individuals affected by the Second Artsakh War.
Anna and her family were active members of the Holy Martyrs Armenian Church in Bayside, NY. Anna served on the boards of the Holy Martyrs Permanent Trust fund committee and the Parish Council for St. Gregory Armenian Church. She also volunteered for the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF).
Currently, Anna lives in Thornwood, NY, with her husband and their three children.
Armine Barkhudaryan
Armine Barkhudaryan, MD OB/GYN, has over 15 years of work experience and humanitarian service in different parts of the world, including Armenia, Russia, Syria and several conflict zones of Africa, such as Kenya, Somalia and Sudan.
Dr. Barkhudaryan is the 2019 Aurora Forum Goodwill Ambassador. During one of her humanitarian missions in Africa, she worked closely with the 2017 Aurora Humanitarian, Dr. Tom Catena, the sole surgeon of the Mother of Mercy Hospital in Sudan. She was instrumental in bringing him to Armenia.
In 2019, Armine founded the Traveling Doctors of Armenia, an organization that provides high-quality medical services to remote communities cut off from basic healthcare in Armenia, Artsakh and abroad. Since then, she and her “Mobile Clinic” team have been on over 15 trips throughout Armenia and Artsakh, and were also able to provide immediate medical assistance during the 2020 Artsakh war.
Besides being a professional doctor, altruist and compassionate soul, Armine is also a caring mother of a daughter.
Seda Papoyan
Seda Papoyan has 15+ years of experience in the sphere of communications and digital transformation, her expertise particularly is reflected in project management and fundraising roles. Seda is the founder and director of Girls in Tech Armenia, as well as the head of the French-Armenian RELQ technology school. Since 2022, Seda and her team have designed and implemented the FemInno international conference dedicated to the boost of women’s participation in business, science and technology.
Having 3 children (two of them born before Seda turned 22), Seda especially enjoys working with children, teaching and learning from them, sharing her skills and inspiring interest in STEM fields.
Seda doesn’t eat olives, she is afraid of carousels, she often travels and collects crazy stories that maybe one day will be made public.
Zara Manucharyan
Zara Manucharyan is the press spokesperson of the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs and the head of the Information and Public Relations Department. Zara received BA in Journalism and MA in Public Relations and Communications from Yerevan State University. In 2019-2020, she was the president of the “Public Awareness and Legal Consciousness-Raising” NGO.
The scope of Zara’s interests is largely related to her professional sphere and work activities, as working in state institutions requires unlimited efforts and time.
Apart from her professional occupation, she devotes the rest of her time to cultural life and especially to theater plays. Zara managed to attend almost all the plays that were staged in Armenia in recent years. She also has a special love for Armenian films of the 20th century.
Zara is fond of making sure to finish whatever she starts, including books and movies, even if she doesn’t really like them.
Arevik Ashkharoyan
Arevik Ashkharoyan was born in Yerevan. The teenage years spent in newly independent Armenia had a significant impact on forming her worldview. After graduating from Valeri Brusov University of Linguistics, she worked for 10 years in various international organizations followed by another 3 years of managing an art organization.
After a robust experience Arevik made a decision to shift her career establishing her own business, the mission of which is to boost the growth of modern Armenian literature and clear its path for international visibility. In 2010, Arevik became the first literary agent in Armenia, being the co-founder of the first literary agency. In 2016, continuing her literary initiatives, she created the “ARI” literary agency, and only a year after the “ARI Literary Foundation”.
Arevik is the co-founder and secretary of the “PEN Armenia”, as well as a member of the advisory board of the International Armenian Literary Alliance.
As a literary agent, today, Arevik represents about 20 local authors, participating in international book exhibitions in Frankfurt, London and others every year. All of Arevik’s activities are aimed at the development of the literary industry in Armenia and the international recognition of modern Armenian literature. Arevik’s choice of professional occupation has always been backed purely by her unconditional love for literature, which has been the guide for her path since teenage years.
Maria Titizian, Host
A writer and journalist, Maria has over 15 years of experience reporting the news from Armenia and the region. She is the Founding Editor of EVN Report, an English-language news magazine. She was Associate Editor of the Armenian Reporter, Managing Editor at CivilNet, and a regular contributor to a number of Diaspora publications. She teaches Media & Society, Introduction to Journalism, and Research Methodsat the American University of Armenia.