PRESS RELEASE
    Armenian International Women's Association (AIWA)
    65 Main Street, #3A
    Watertown, MA 02472
    Contact: Barbara Merguerian
    Tel: 617-926-0171
    E-mail: info@aiwainternational.org
    Web: 
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.aiwainternational.org_&d=DwIFaQ&c=clK7kQUTWtAVEOVIgvi0NU5BOUHhpN0H8p7CSfnc_gI&r=LVw5zH6C4LHpVQcGEdVcrQ&m=gIX2ifx-e4DNpLYy1zO7wtycbY3aOZdKOY2uje85YY4&s=vxMcWEMddbyQBpzSsYyln5ePyokX_TUaY9W3Evzt5DU&e=


Rachel Nadjarian Named AIWA Executive Director
Poised to Lead the Organization into the Future


BOSTON– The Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) has announced 
that Rachel Onanian Nadjarian has been named Executive Director of the 
non-profit organization, founded in 1991 and devoted to serving the needs of 
Armenian women throughout the world.

Nadjarian, who was elected to the AIWA Board in 2017, will assume the role in a 
full-time capacity, succeeding Jennifer Philips who served part-time as AIWA’s 
first Executive Director from 2016-2018.

“All of us at AIWA recognize how significant this time period is for our 
Diaspora and for Armenia,” stated AIWA President Ani Kharajian. “We see a 
tremendous opportunity for us to make a greater impact in our communities and 
we are confident Rachel has the exact leadership, entrepreneurial capability 
and know-how to make it happen.”

Nadjarian’s hiring comes at a crucial time for the organization, which is 
seeking to reach wider audiences around the world and better meet the needs of 
Armenian women in the 21st century. As both Armenia and the Diaspora continue 
to evolve and progress, AIWA is attuned to the crucial role it plays in 
strengthening attitudes and conversations around gender equality and the 
eradication of discrimination in Armenian communities.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to lead AIWA in regenerating itself. I am 
confident we are ready – across the globe – to work more collaboratively and 
cooperatively in trying to understand the challenges facing Armenian women and 
in working to arrive at potential solutions. AIWA is poised to build upon its 
vision of empowerment and connectivity, and I look forward to driving the 
organization to its next level of impact,” Nadjarian said.

Nadjarian assumes the position of Executive Director with over 25 years of 
experience in serving as a marketing and fundraising consultant for 
non-profits, and playing leadership roles in various non-profit-organizations.  
She holds an MBA from Boston University with Certification in Public and 
Non-Profit Management, and a BA in Economics and Sociology from Wellesley 
College. A native of Boston, Rachel currently resides in Washington, DC with 
her husband and three children.

Additional information regarding AIWA activities and projects to advance the 
interests of Armenian women (and all women) is available by contacting AIWA at 
65 Main St., 3A, Watertown, MA; telephone 617-926-0171; email: 
info@aiwainternational.org.