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Armenian Assembly of America
Celebration of Service
Saturday, June 6, 2026
Artists for Humanity EpiCenter | Boston, Massachusetts
The Armenian Assembly of America invites you to join us in Boston for a special Celebration of Service. This gathering, chaired by Assembly Board Member Herman Purutyan and Laura Bilazarian Purutyan, an Assembly intern program alumna, of Massachusetts, will honor the remarkable dedication of Armenian Assembly of America Board of Trustees Members and our longtime staff members.
In recognition of their contributions, we invite you to make a tribute gift in honor of this year’s Distinguished Service Award recipients.
Honorees
Each honoree will receive the Armenian Assembly of America’s Distinguished Service Award in recognition of more than 25 years of service—helping shape the organization's advocacy, research and scholarship, Armenian Genocide education, and community impact across generations.
Director of Armenian National Institute (ANI)
Dr. Rouben Adalian
Dr. Rouben Adalian served as Director of the Armenian National Institute (ANI). His scholarship and educational leadership have had a profound impact on Armenian Genocide documentation and public education. Over nearly four decades, Dr. Adalian has expanded access to archival resources, strengthened academic outreach, and helped educate generations of students, scholars, and policymakers.
Executive Director
Bryan Ardouny
Bryan Ardouny, who started with the Assembly in 1998 and has served as Executive Director since 2005, is being recognized for his longstanding leadership in advocacy and public affairs. Over the course of his career at the Assembly, Ardouny has played a central role in advancing major legislative priorities, including sustained efforts that culminated in the historic U.S. Congressional affirmation of the Armenian Genocide in 2019.
Immediate Past Co-Chair
Anthony Barsamian
Anthony Barsamian serves as Immediate Past Co-Chair of the Assembly. A longtime attorney, community leader, and advocate, Barsamian has also served in key roles with the Armenia Tree Project, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, and other organizations devoted to service and public life.
Archivist
Mary Garabadian
Mary Garabadian served as the Assembly’s longtime archivist, whose more than 30 years of dedication helped preserve the organization’s institutional memory and strengthen its community ties. As the first employee in the Assembly’s history to retire, Garabadian leaves a legacy defined by dedication, care, and deep commitment to the Armenian community.
Chair Emeritus
Van Krikorian
Van Krikorian, Chair Emeritus and Chair of the Armenian National Institute (ANI), is being honored for more than 25 years of strategic leadership and principled guidance. His stewardship helped reinforce the Assembly’s standing as a trusted and credible voice in Washington while advancing strong and responsible engagement in support of U.S.-Armenia relations.
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President Emerita
Carolyn Mugar
Carolyn Mugar, President Emerita and Board Member, has been involved with the Assembly since 1974 and has long been a leading figure in Armenian American civic life. Along with her late husband John O’Connor, she founded the Armenia Tree Project in 1994, while also helping to shape the Assembly’s broader impact through decades of grassroots advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and institution building.
Co-Emcees
Dr. Henry Ben Morgenthau
great-grandson of Ambassador Henry Morgenthau
Kristina Ayanian
Market Site Reporter, NASDAQ
Remarks by
Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts
Dr. Noubar Afeyan and Anna Afeyan
Armenian Assembly Life Trustees
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Cocktail Reception | 6:00 PM
Program and Dinner | 7:00 PM
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Dr. Richard Hovannisian (center) receiving the Distinguished Humanitarian Award alongside Assembly Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian, Assembly President Carolyn Mugar, and
Assembly Co-Chair Van Krikorian.
Assembly Co-Chair Van Krikorian testifying before the Congressional Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission alongside a new photo exhibit displaying Azerbaijan’s pattern of war crimes and human rights violations against the Armenian people of Artsakh.
The Assembly Board presented Secretary Ignatius with the George Deukmejian Award in recognition of exceptional public service, alongside his family members.
Van Krikorian Awarded Armenia’s Medal of Honor by President Serzh Sargsyan
The Medal of Honor is awarded for “notable services in protecting state and national interests of the Republic of Armenia and establishment of independence and democracy, as well as for significant contribution to building, strengthening, and promoting friendship and reinforcing peace between peoples.”
In 2025, under Executive Director Bryan Ardouny’s leadership, the Armenian Assembly of America was elected to the Board of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO). The Armenian Assembly, one of twenty elected members of the Board, and the only Armenian organization, will serve a term from 2025 to 2029.
As Azerbaijan hosted COP29, with its dictator president railing against France for its support of Armenia, an Armenian Assembly of America delegation with Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian, President Carolyn Mugar, Life Trustee Noubar Afeyan and Executive Director Bryan Ardouny traveled to Paris and thanked France for its support.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival Director Sabrina Lynn Motley and Assembly President Carolyn Mugar acknowledged guests and welcomed them to the opening reception. Mugar thanked the Smithsonian for this monumental Festival and welcomed The Honorable Dr. Armen Sarkissian for his first official visit to the United States of America as President of the Republic of Armenia.
ANI Director Dr. Rouben Adalian Presents at “Treasures of Western Armenia” Conference
“The Armenian Jewelers Foundation has done a great service by bringing public attention to the discovery of a marvelous collection of historic items retrieved from Western Armenia during the genocide. Now, through a fine publication, everyone can learn more about the arts and crafts of a vanished civilization,” said ANI Director Dr. Rouben Adalian. “I was honored to be part of an event announcing the launch of such a beautifully produced catalogue,” Dr. Adalian said.
We welcome our visitors to worship and connect with the local Armenian community during their time in Boston.
Armenian Churches of Greater Boston & New England
Armenian Apostolic Churches
Armenian Catholic Church
Armenian Evangelical & Protestant Churches
CELEBRATION OF SERVICE COMMITTEE
Herman Purutyan, Co-Chair
Laura Bilazarian Purutyan, Co-Chair
Susan Atamian
Nicole Babikian Hajjar
Ara Bagdasarian
Leslie Bagdasarian
Nancy Barsamian
Dr. Seth Bilazarian
Melanie Bilazarian
Dr. Sharon Chekijian
Yervant Chekijian
Aline Christianian
Dr. Mary Davidian
Nina Festekjian
Sam Kapreilian
Lucine Kapreilian
Sabine Keljik
Jirair Kiladjian
Annie Kiladjian
Margaret Kiladjian
Sheriff Peter Koutoujian
Margaret Mgrublian
Julia Mirak Kew
Lu Ann Ohanian
M. Bruce Ohanian
Gail Talanian O’Reilly
Haig Sarkissian
Dr. Gevorg Yaghjyan
Sylvie Zakarian
Early Sponsorships
Now Available
For sponsorship information, please contact:
Mary Jo Bazarian
202.393.3434x335