On October 24, 2015, the 2015 ANCA-WR Grassroots Conference will present the Marching On For Justice panel, featuring ANCA National Board Member, Raffi Hamparian, ANCA-WR Board Member Nora Hovsepian, and Executive Director of the ANCA-WR, Elen Asatryan, who will discuss the national and regional priorities of the organization, in addition to the grassroots efforts enacted to build on the successes of community activism, post Genocide Centennial. The panel will be moderated by ANCA-WR Grassroots Conference Co-Chair and Asbarez Editor, Ara Khachatourian.

Raffi Hamparian will provide a national perspective on grassroots efforts as they relate to the Armenian cause while Nora Hovsepian and Elen Asatryan will lead a discussion on regional efforts, challenges and community outreach.

Born in New York City and raised in the State of New Jersey, Hamparian is a graduate of Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, where he earned both an undergraduate degree and Masters degree in International Relations. Hamparian has worked for a number of members of Congress. Most recently, he worked as the chief foreign affairs aide for former New Jersey Congressman, Steven R. Rothman. Hamparian currently serves as the Director for Federal Affairs for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, where he works to increase the $600 million the agency annually receives from the Federal Government for major transportation projects. Hamparian is a lifelong Armenian American political activist, having begun his activism as a member of the Armenian Youth Federation. He is a resident of Pasadena, California where he lives with his wife Dr. Mireille Hamparian and their children Areni, Zabelle, Meghri and Saro.

“The ANCA’s mission is clear. To build, maintain and expand our influence to benefit our community and common cause. In 2015, we have doubled down on our ongoing work to serve our community and our principled efforts as the Diaspora’s second army for the people of Armenia and Artsakh,” remarked Hamparian.

Nora Hovsepian has proudly served on the ANCA-WR Board since 2011. In addition to volunteering her time advocating for the Armenian Cause, Nora has been an attorney at law for 25 years in private practice in Encino, California, where she specializes in representing plaintiffs in their claims for medical malpractice and personal injury. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from UCLA in 1984, then graduated as valedictorian from the University of La Verne School of Law in 1989, with a Juris Doctorate cum laude. Married to Dr. Viken Hovsepian, Nora is the mother of their daughter Arev, and lives with her family in Santa Monica, California.

Elen Asatryan is the Executive Director of the ANCA-WR.  She serves as the primary spokesperson and representative for the ANCA-WR and is responsible for policy development and implementation, programs, and day-to-day operations of the regional headquarters along with its local ANCA chapters in the 19 Western U.S. States. Prior to joining the ANCA-WR in her current position, Asatryan served as the Field Coordinator, and Hye Votes Initiative Director for ANCA-WR as well as the Executive Director of ANCA Glendale for over 6 years. Asatryan is a veteran of multiple successful campaigns for local, state, and federal offices and issues. She has also served and continues to serve on various committees and boards of regional and local organizations, including her most recent appointment to the City of Glendale Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission.

Asatryan’s commitment to Armenian issues dates back to her activist days at Hoover High School, then as an officer and advisor of the UCLA’s Armenian Students’ Association, and later as an intern of the ANCA-WR. Asatryan is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, where she studied Political Science with concentrations in American Politics and International Relations.

The moderator of the Marching On For Justice panel, Ara Khachatourian, is the English Editor of Asbarez Daily Armenian Newspaper. He has been in that position, off and on, since 1992. He was Media Director at Rock the Vote, as well as Media Relations Director at the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region. He has been an ANCA-WR Board Member and has chaired the ANCA-WR Grassroots Conference Committee in 2011 and 2013. He was also part of the Armenian Genocide Centennial’s April 24, March for Justice organizing committee.

The ANCA-WR Grassroots conference will take place on October 23 and 24 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel. General admission to the conference is $85 and $50 for students. Visit www.ANCAWRGrassroots.org to register online or to learn about sponsorship and booth display opportunities.

This year’s ANCA-WR Gala Banquet, will be one of the largest the organization has hosted and will top off a can’t-miss weekend for our community. The event, which has become one of the most anticipated events of the calendar year, will be held on Sunday, October 25 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel. For information about purchasing tickets, and corporate and tribute message sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.ANCAWRGala.org or call 818.839.1918.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.