Meet our Board

Stepan has served as the Board Chairman since 1983, been a Director of the Board since 1981, and initially served as the AYF’s representative to the organizing committee of the Armenian Youth Foundation from 1972-1973. He has been active in a variety of Armenian Community organizations and is presently a member of the Ararat Association of RI and the Investment Committee of Sts. Vartanantz Church (Providence, RI). Professionally he served as the New England Market Manager for the Business Credit Division of PNC Bank until his retirement in 2022 providing Commercial enterprises and Private Equity Groups with working capital and acquisition credit facilities. He had been in commercial lending since 1974, initially in Detroit and Cleveland, and has been located in Boston since 1982. He is a former member of the Association for Corporate Growth, the Commercial Finance Association, and the Turnaround Management Association. Stepan and his wife Christine (Arakelian) are residents of Medfield, MA.

Robert has served as the Vice Chairman of the Armenian Youth Foundation since 1984 and as a Board Member since 1982. He has been active in a number of Armenian Community organizations and was a past member of the Boston Siamanto chapter of the Armenian Youth Federation. Bob also served on the AYF Central Executive and is presently a member of the Council of Armenian Executives. He is a graduate of M.I.T. with a B.S./M.S. in Chemical Engineering and later received a M.B.A. from Babson College. Professionally he has worked in sales and marketing management positions at Millipore Corporation and at the Amicon Division of W.R. Grace Company. From 1986 to 2011, he owned and operated National Metal Finishing Corporation in Springfield, MA, a leading provider of metal finishing services to such companies as Harley Davidson and Smith & Wesson. He is currently President of Vivaproducts, Inc. in Littleton, MA, which provides analytical products to hospital and forensic laboratories. Bob and his wife Shooshan (Kassabian) are residents of Sudbury, MA, and have three children Christine, Lynne and Stephen, who have all been members of the Providence Varantian AYF Chapter.

Ara Krafian is the Chairman and CEO of SMMA, a 240-person integrated and multidisciplinary design collective in the business of designing building projects for institutions, corporations, developers, and government agencies. SMMA is headquartered in Cambridge, MA, with offices in Providence, RI, and Manchester, NH. He focuses on the firm’s strategy, design, and management to address its diverse portfolio and directs SMMA’s dynamic, talented team of leaders to maintain overall responsibility for project success. Ara advocates interdisciplinary collaboration and integrated project delivery to achieve the highest quality design and works with clients on project development, cost control, and creative options.

In addition to SMMA, Ara serves as a Trustee of Cambridge Savings Bank and on the Board of CoreNet Global-New England. In the past, he has served on the boards of Mass Building Congress and the American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts. He has also lectured at the graduate schools of Northeastern University and Wentworth Institute of Technology. Ara has long and precious ties to the Armenian community through the AYF, Homenetmen, Camp Haiastan, NAASR, FAST, and most notably, the St. Stephen’s Church and School community.

Ara has served on the Foundation Board since 2021. He lives in Belmont, MA, with his family. His wife, Heather, and four daughters are all extremely involved with the Armenian community. He graduated from Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and received his Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Bentley University. He also attended the Executive Education Program at the Harvard University Business School.

Daron Topouzian has been an active member of the Armenian community since the early 1970s, beginning with his participation in the Detroit Chapter of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF). His involvement with the AYF continues to this day as a track and field coach for both senior and junior age groups. In addition, Daron served as the Midwest representative on the Governing Body from 2017 through 2024.

Since 2016, Daron has served on the Board of Directors for the Greater Detroit Armenian Senior Citizens Corporation (St. Sarkis Towers), presently holding the role of Treasurer.

In 2004, Daron was elected to the Foundation’s Board of Directors, where, for the past twenty years, he has served on the Grants Committee, assisting in solicitation and leading the selection process.

Daron is an alumnus of Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and the University of Detroit, with degrees in engineering and business. Professionally, after 37 years of service, he retired from Ford Motor Company in 2022. His notable responsibilities included leading truck planning and creating the strategies and plans for electric vehicles.

Daron and his wife, Simone, reside in West Bloomfield, Michigan, and have been blessed with four daughters: Meline, Ani, Knar, and Teny; a wonderful son-in-law, Haig; and two grandsons, Sebu and Aram.

Michael Guzelian recently retired as Senior Vice President of General Dynamics Mission Systems / CPI Satcom & Antenna Technologies. His responsibilities included manufacturing, supply chain, quality, security, EH&S, and facilities. With his strategic leadership and management, the company continues to be a leading global supplier of superior satellite communications ground stations and optical and radio telescope products.

Before the 2020 spinout of General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies to CPI, Mr. Guzelian was vice president and responsible for the Satellite Antenna Business. This included thousands of antennas built and shipped to commercial and military customers around the world. Some of those customers include ESPN/Disney, FOX, Intelsat, Verizon, Telesat, Eutelsat, and many international broadcasters and satellite service providers.

Michael has served on the Board in various positions since 1995. He currently oversees all administrative systems and resides with his wife and two daughters in Needham, Massachusetts. He graduated from Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and received his Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Management and Marketing from Babson College. He also attended the Defense Systems Management College in Ft. Belvoir, VA.

Haig Altoonian brings over 24 years of experience as a Director at Bank of America Securities, specializing in Convertible Bonds and Equity Derivatives. Starting his career in Boston, he focused on skill development for nine years before relocating to New York in 2008.

From 2010 to 2014, Haig spent time on a multiproduct desk, gaining proficiencies in equities, options, and credit. Currently, he works with portfolio managers around the world to find unique and innovative investing alternatives using hybrid securities.

Haig grew up outside of Boston in the Armenian circles of Camp Haiastan, as both a camper and counselor. His involvement with Providence AYF led to active membership with the North Andover chapter until the early 2000s.

Academically, he earned a BA in management engineering with a finance concentration from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA.

In 2021, Haig joined the Board and serves on the Investment Committee. He resides in Long Island, NY with his wife Nadette and his daughters, Solene and Chloe.

With more than two decades as a communication professional, Nora Kzirian has held diverse roles within the telecommunication and media industries. She most recently served as the Senior Director of Customer Communications at Comcast Business, overseeing the customer service communication experience.

Since joining Comcast in 2005, Nora has led internal, external, and change management communication strategies. Prior to that, she served as the Press Secretary for the Honorable Steve Rothman, former U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 9th congressional district.

An unwavering advocate for Armenian-American issues, Nora has held leadership positions in the Armenian National Committee (ANC) Eastern Region and the Armenian Youth Federation and is currently spearheading ANC efforts in Pennsylvania. She was elected to the Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2022. Nora attributes her ignited Armenian spirit to her experiences at Camp Haiastan, where she was both a camper and counselor, and the Hovnanian Armenian School.

Residing in Philadelphia with her husband and two sons, who attend the Armenian Sisters Academy, Nora is an alumna of Rutgers University, holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications. She further pursued her education, earning a Master of Science degree in E-Learning Leadership from Drexel University.

Michael Gostanian embodies a lifelong commitment to the Armenian community, having been elected to the Foundation’s Board in 2018 and actively contributing to its Grants Committee.

His roots trace back to St. Sarkis Church, where he grew up attending and graduated from their Armenian School, as well as serving on the altar for many years where he received ordination as a deacon from the late Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian. He continues his dedicated service at St. Sarkis in various capacities, including the church’s Board of Trustees. He plays a vital role in the organizing committee for the St. Sarkis “Salt and Light” youth ministry, where he also serves as a facilitator.

Michael's involvement extends beyond the church to the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), where, as a member of the NY Hyortik chapter, he contributed on various local committees and executives, including the region’s Central Executive. Michael's ties with Camp Haiastan run deep, having been both a former camper and counselor, and later serving on the camp's Board of Directors for six years.

Apart from his community service, Michael's passion lies in music, particularly traditional Armenian melodies, which he has been performing for over 30 years at various events across the country.

Certified as a Project Manager, Michael applies his professional expertise at IBM. He currently resides on Long Island, NY, with his wife Nouneh and their two children.

Originally from Portland, ME, Hagop has been living in the greater Whitinsville, MA area for more than 30 years; along with his wife the former Claudia Kourkounian. He has served the Church as a three term member of the Prelacy Executive Council along with past Board of Trustee member of the Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church of Whitinsville. Hagop continues to actively commit to the Armenian community. He was a member of the Lowell Armen Garo A.Y.F. Chapter during the 1970s /80s and served on the Central Executive as Athletic Director. Hagop’s AYF experiences were instrumental in his developing a broader understanding of the many important facets in sustaining and building on the Armenian spirit. A graduate of the University of Southern Maine, Hagop is now enjoying retirement after a successful 30 year career with Kimberly-Clark Corporation as a Senior Customer Business Partner.

Lauren has long been committed to serving the Armenian-American community, beginning with her involvement in the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) - YOARF during her formative years. She was an active member for over 18 years, holding key roles at both the local and regional levels, including Treasurer and Chairperson of the Central Executive. Lauren also spent many summers at Camp Haiastan, first as a
camper and later as a counselor.

After earning a BSBA from Suffolk University, Lauren launched her career in the financial services industry. She is currently a Senior Vice President at the Bank of New York, where she helps large asset managers grow their Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) business.

In addition to her professional work, Lauren remains dedicated to
serving the Greater Boston Armenian community through fundraising and educational initiatives. Outside of her community work, she enjoys spending her free time pampering her two elderly cats, Cassie and Bella.

Diana is a board-certified adult and pediatric allergist and immunologist at Asthma and Allergy Affiliates, with offices in North Andover and Salem, MA. As one of the practice’s partners, she is deeply committed to providing comprehensive care to patients of all ages. 

Diana's strong connection to the Armenian community has been a cornerstone of her life. Growing up in North Andover, she was actively involved at St. Gregory’s Armenian Apostolic Church, where she attended both Sunday School and Armenian School. Her dedication to her heritage extended to her involvement in the Armenian Youth Federation’s North Andover chapter, and she was proud to complete the Internship in Armenia in 2002. Some of her fondest memories come from her time at Camp Haiastan, where she participated as both a camper and a counselor. 

Diana’s academic journey is marked by a passion for science and public health. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Georgetown University, followed by a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from Boston University. She then pursued her Doctor of Medicine (MD) at Tufts University School of Medicine, graduating in 2010. Diana completed her residency in Pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital, where she also pursued fellowship training in Allergy and Immunology. Her research has contributed to advancing knowledge in areas like asthma, food allergies, and drug allergies. 

Outside of her medical practice, Diana continues to serve her community as a Sunday School teacher at St. Gregory’s. She lives in Andover, MA, with her husband, Diran, and their two children. In her spare time, she enjoys playing tennis and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.

Joe is a Design Engineering Fellow at MilliporeSigma Corporation, working in R&D on new products serving the BioPharma and Life Science markets. During his 35-year career, he has held various roles, including mechanical engineering, process development, and director of product design.

He resides in Westford, MA, with his wife, Kim, and their three children: Armen, Meline, and Tamar. Joe enjoyed serving the local community as a youth soccer coach for more than 15 years and remains active by playing competitive soccer on a men’s club team.

Joe has strong ties to the Armenian community and is a member of Saint Gregory Armenian Church of Merrimack Valley in North Andover, MA. He is active in all church events and has served on the church’s board of trustees for over 12 years in various roles, including chairman, vice chairman, and secretary. Additionally, Joe served on the executive committee of the building committee, which oversaw $1.8M of renovation work to the church and its facilities.

His connection to Armenian youth stems from his many years as a camper attending Camp Haiastan, as well as his participation in the AYF as a member of the Framingham Musa Dagh and Providence Varantian chapters. There, he developed a love for his Armenian heritage while making lifelong bonds with fellow campers and AYF members. Joe enjoyed participating in track and field at the annual Senior Olympics and followed the successes of his mother, Lucy (Oulohojian) Almasian, who also served many years on the Armenian Youth Foundation board in its early years. Today, Joe shares his track and field knowledge as a coach for the North Andover Sassoun chapter.

In 1994, along with fellow Varantian Ken Topalian of RI, Joe carried the Armenian spirit to Lillehammer, Norway. There, they represented the newly free and independent Armenia and competed in the two-man bobsled event during Armenia’s debut in the XVII Olympic Winter Games.