I was born in Yerevan, in a family of medical doctors, however I have chosen a different path and role for myself. In 2002 with full scholarship I was admitted to Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University, Department of International Relations. In 2006 I was awarded with the highest merit scholarship and was acknowledged as one of the 10 top students of my University. Upon graduation I did a 10-month internship at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Americas. After the internship, in May 2008 I started working at Civil Society Institute, a non-governmental organization, at Department of Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation. Since then I have been initiating, developing, and implementing projects on peacebuilding and conflict transformation, coordinating Armenian-Turkish projects in particular, for I am fluent in Turkish. I have also been conducting trainings on “Conflict Management and Mediation” for various target groups. Recently I have joined PeaceJam foundation and currently I am completing PeaceJam Ambassadors Online Training in order to be certified as a PeaceJam trainer.

During the last 3 years, due to participation in a number of business trips and short-term educational programs, I ended up having numerous visits to more than 15 cities in Turkey, visited 6 states in the U.S. (more than 10 cities), happened to be in the countries of Middle East and Europe.

Thus, being actively involved in peacebuilding sphere and deeply valuing the role of peacebuilding efforts, tolerance and cooperation among people, and recognizing the imperative of an advanced degree, I was strongly motivated to further develop my skills and enhance knowledge. More than 3 years of professional experience has clearly defined my goals for my future career and the current needs of my country, region, world and time. I have selected Duke University as the place to continue my education since I find the Master of International Development Policy Program specializing in Peace and Conflict Resolution completely responds to my needs of being a successful practitioner ready to make more changes. Thus I applied and was admitted to the program and received partial scholarship.

I also have high degrees in taekwondo and shooting and I am fond of dancing.

"Education is strength and power and I am determined to utilize it for the benefit of motherland, to make positive changes with the help of various projects and activities both in Armenia and abroad, as well as through publications, personal communication and interaction."