New York, NY–The Armenian National Committee (ANC) Eastern Region Board of Directors announced the hiring of ANC activist Karine Birazian as the region’s new Executive Director.

“We are excited to have Karine joining our staff. As one of our most proactive activists across the entire region, she brings experience, energy, and an extraordinary example of dedication to her position as Executive Director,” said ANC-ER Board Chairman Dikran Kaligian. “Karine will greatly assist the ANC to further promote important issues of concern to Armenian Americans.”

“I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to begin working at the Armenian National Committee,” stated Birazian. “The task ahead promises to be exciting and, at the same time, challenging. I look forward to working with our local chapters and activists to help advance our interests at the local, state and federal level.”

Birazian, who earned a Bachelors of Science in Nursing, is currently a critical care nurse in Park Ridge, Illinois. Working as a nurse for over two years, Birazian serves as chairwoman of committees within the hospital advocating for advancing the nursing practice.

A prominent activist in the ANC of Illinois, Birazian currently lectures to students at several schools about the Armenian Genocide. In 2005, she worked with activists to help pass an Illinois mandate on teaching genocide in the curriculum. She has been an leader in the community promoting the growth of Hai Tahd, facilitating various public forums, building coalitions with other organizations, planning Genocide commemorations, meeting with Members of Congress, and organizing demonstrations for the advancement of the Armenian Cause.

Current ANC Eastern Region Executive Director Doug Geogerian will be stepping down at the end of August to return to the field of education in the New York area. “Doug has had a distinguished and productive two years directing the region’s Hai Tahd work. He helped expand the breadth of ANC work into new spheres and maintained an active schedule of visiting local ANCs, including tapping new human resources for ANC activity in parts of Georgia, Florida, and Ohio. We wish him great success in his endeavors and in his future work on the ANC regional board.”

The Armenian National Committee is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANC actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

####