Born and raised in New Jersey, I was fortunate to grow up in a very tight-knit, supportive Armenian community. I attended Armenian school, Sunday School classes, Armenian camps and other activities that have helped me to be guided in a positive direction.

I majored in International Relations at Johns Hopkins University and spent my summers interning at the United States Department of Energy. In college, I co-founded the Armenian Youth Organization which brought together students and other members of the community to raise funds for Armenian charities and engage in educational as well as social activities exploring the Armenian culture and heritage.

After college I worked at Columbia Business School while earning a certificate in Conservation Biology at Columbia University’s Earth Institute. Realizing my passion for the environment, I took a position working for the National Wildlife Federation focusing on energy legislation. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience, but felt that I needed to develop my skills. In order to contribute more to the field, I decided to pursue my graduate education.

I am entering my second year at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs studying international energy management and policy. As Co-President of the SIPA Energy Association, I am very committed to bringing students, professionals and alumni together to learn and expand our horizons. I plan to identify ways for the public and private sector to reduce their carbon footprint and move towards a cleaner and more efficient portfolio of energy consumption. I believe Armenia can serve as a model for renewable energy and I hope to help bring this to fruition by working with the Luys network.

Energy is a major issue in developing countries; electricity and heat are in short supply and unreliable. Thus, it is critical that Armenia identifies and implements an energy strategy that will allow its people to thrive.