Gala “Celebrating the Future” Will Take Place in Newport Beach on March 4, 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) is pleased to announce Katherine Sarafian, Pixar Animation Studios Producer and Vice President of Production, as one of the keynote speakers for the “Celebrating the Future” Gala in Newport Beach, California on March 4, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program. Sarafian will be reflecting on her life and career alongside intern alumnus Michael Agbabian. She interned with the Assembly in Washington, D.C. in 1991.
“The Armenian Assembly set me up with a fantastic, hands-on internship at a video production company in Washington, D.C. I gained practical skills while learning about politics and government in the most dynamic setting,” Sarafian said. “I made lifelong friends, and I’m looking forward to reminiscing and sharing my experiences with other alumni at this gala honoring Armenian Assembly interns,” she added.
Armenian Assembly Summer Internship Class of 1991 with Senator Bob Dole (R-KS). Katherine Sarafian pictured second to left.
Sarafian has been an integral part of the success and growth of Pixar Animation Studios, holding a variety of key leadership positions that have culminated in her role as producer and Vice President of Production, Strategic Talent Planning. She produced DisneyPixar’s Academy Awardآ®-winning feature film, “Brave,” and currently is producing a Pixar project in development while also spearheading studio-wide talent initiatives.
She joined Pixar in 1994 as a production coordinator on the studio’s first full-length feature film, “Toy Story.” She strengthened her film production experience as production manager in Pixar’s short film department, and as art department manager on the studio’s second feature film, “A Bug’s Life.” After completing her work on “A Bug’s Life,” Sarafian moved on to positions in the creative services and consumer products departments, eventually becoming the Director of Marketing for the studio.
Pixar Animation Studios Producer and Vice President of Production Katherine Sarafian
In 2000, she transitioned back into production at Pixar, first as production supervisor on “Monsters, Inc.,” and then as production manager on the Academy Awardآ®-winning feature “The Incredibles.” She produced the Academy Awardآ®-nominated short film “Lifted” before taking the helm as producer of “Brave.”
Sarafian holds a Master of Arts degree in Film and Television Critical Studies and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies, both from the University of California, Los Angeles. She has taught film and television courses, and has represented Pixar for education and outreach in Asia, Europe and the United States. A native of Oakland, California, Sarafian is active in the San Francisco Bay Area theater, music and arts communities. She is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Producers Guild of America.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501©(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
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