The
Members
Anna
Meliksetyan
Ms. Anna Meliksetyan is the Founder & President of DNA. She holds an MBA from Yerevan State University, as well as an NGO management degree from American University in Armenia. She has vast experience in managing NGOs, working in the private sector, as well as running social entrepreneurship projects both in Armenia and abroad.
Nadiia
Vasylevia
Nadia is the Founder of the Digital Transformation Institute, and is an expert and evangelist on using the IoT, Blockchain and Big Data capabilities in and out of business.
Nadiia is a current Board Member of Credit Agricole Bank and Board Member of Ukraine State Enterprise “Prozorro Sales” where she has a key function – auction to realization of privatization as well as Deputy General Director for Digitalization and Innovation of “UKROBORONPROM” ,which manages the enterprises of the military-industrial complex in Ukraine, and employees 80,000 highly skilled people.
She is also an independent Director for several commercial companies’ Supervisory Board in Fintech, Cyber Security, IoT and Digital Transformation spheres.
During 12 years she held executive positions at #1 telecom operator in Ukraine, Kyivstar Company, 3 years in the field of logistics for the quality of GM Amway and for 5 years at the GM of the Black Sea region of Microsoft. Nadiia led more than 1,000 employees with her expertise and leadership. Under Nadiia’s supervision a Start-ups Incubator movement has been started with the focus of technological stack of Microsoft Cloud services. IoT Microsoft Incubator, 1991 Big Government Data and Cloud Business City for Smart City Solution are the incubators which were opened and supervised by Nadiia’s team. She is the constant speaker or moderator at big events with the topics on digital trends, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and Digital Transformation.
Nadiia is a role model and activist on gender equality and decent representation of women and girls in STEM disciplines. She is a Mentor for more than 15 women and girls. Nadiia is the leader of such communities as WELDI/Woman Executive Leadership Development Initiative created by American Chamber of Commerce where Nadiia held a position of the Board Member and Treasurer, STEM Woman Development program and a member of Women in Boards 2020. Nadiia has been contributing to women’s economic empowerment as a She Exports Ambassador in IT Industry since 2018 (She Exports Program was initiated by Export Promotion Office) and as a Global Ambassador of Vital Voices Global Partnership Project under the Bank of America.
Nadiia holds a PhD in Economics, an EMBA with the focus on Financial Asset Management, Master of International Law and Intellectual Property Law of the Institute of International Relations. Nadiia is a Certified Specialist in Digital Transformation modeling conferred by several universities, including LBS (UK), INSEAD, MIT. She also earned a Certified Specialist in Effective Board Management at Kellogg (USA) and IMD (Switzerland).
Ani
Rubenyan
Ani was born and raised in Yerevan and leads the events management team for DNA. She has graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in Financial Economics from Russian-Armenian University. Currently, a Ph.D. student at Russian-Armenian University doing research in the field of mandatory health insurance. She started her career in financial dealing (Armenbrok OJSC 2015). Afterward, she took a role at the Ministry of Health within the Armenian government. From the period of 2017-2019 she was as an adviser at the Healthcare Policy Department within the Republic of Armenia government. Currently she serves as an adviser at the Department of Economics and Finance to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia. She is described by fellow members as sociable, responsible and hard-working.
Ani is fluent in Armenian, English, French and Russian.
Malcolm
Penn
Malcolm Penn is the founder, Chairman & CEO of Future Horizons, a leading global semiconductor industry analyst. Established in April 1989, Mr Penn’s business experience covers all aspects of the semiconductor and electronics industry, including new business development, manufacturing, marketing and design.
Prior to establishing Future Horizons, Mr Penn was Vice President and Director of European Operations for Dataquest (now Gartner), responsible for establishing and running all of its European research operations. Previously he was Manager of Component Engineering for ITT Europe Telecommunications (now Alcatel) and Executive Director of ITT Semiconductors (now Micronas and General Signal), responsible for its UK-based front and back-end semiconductor operations and worldwide DRAM Business Group.
Mr Penn studied Electronics Engineering at London’s Southbank University during which time he worked his way through college as a professional musician.
A member of the 1994 European Commission sponsored Cornu Panel of senior industry executives, Future Horizons was responsible for publishing the “Report of the European Microelectronics Panel” used to help formulate the strategy for EC microelectronics support in Europe.
More recently, Mr Penn authored the European Commission Report on “Mergers & Acquisitions In The Semiconductor Industry”, which identified the driving factors and opportunity scenarios behind the current wave of semiconductor industry M&A.
He was also co-author of the European Commission Report on “Benefits and Measures to Set Up 450mm Semiconductor Prototyping and to Keep Semiconductor Manufacturing in Europe” and was an independent advisor to the Commission VP Cabinet and DG InfoSoc developing a European strategy for micro- and nanoelectronics components and systems.
Mr Penn has worked extensively throughout Europe as well as in the United States, the former USSR, Japan, Korea and Israel. He has also been active in Armenia since 2011 helping and supporting the global development of Armenia’s high-tech industry and was also co-sponsor of the 2021 Women’s Foundation in Armenia competition.
Lucy
Shahnazaryan
Lucy currently works at the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia. Previously, she was the financial officer of a leading research and communication firm, she was also the, IT projects’ Coordinator for the Ministry of Healthcare of Republic of Armenia and leads a team of highly qualified IT specialists. She was the founder and managing partner MedNet LLC. Lucy graduated with a Master’s in Economics and Management from National Academy of Science of Republic of Armenia and also holds a B.S. in Economics and Engineering from the Economics and Communication at State Engineering University. She is fan of lifelong learning, dream about doing MBA in one of the world’s top universities, studying hard and building her network. She hates lies (because lies don’t travel far and the first casualty is your most precious asset, your credibility). And her favorite book is the Holy Bible where everyone can find all the life’s rules to live their best life according to the Bible. Lucy is fluent in Armenian, English, and Russian
Tigran
Petrosyan
Tigran serves as a co-founder and CEO of SuperAnnotate, a growing Silicon-Valley-based startup with offices in Armenia and Sweden, that provides image annotation software and services for various computer vision applications including Autonomous Vehicles, Retail, Drone/Satellite imagery, Medical Imaging, etc with current investors such as Smart Gate VC ( backed by Tim Draper ) , Berkley Sky Deck , Plug & Play
Before founding SuperAnnotate, Tigran did his Ph.D. research in Physics/Bioimaging at the University of Bern, Switzerland. He received his MSc degree in Physics from ETH Zurich, Switzerland and BSc degree in Physics from Yerevan State University, Armenia.
Our
Volunteers
Ani
Rubenyan
Ani was born and raised in Yerevan and leads the events management team for DNA. She has graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in Financial Economics from Russian-Armenian University. Currently, a Ph.D. student at Russian-Armenian University doing research in the field of mandatory health insurance. She started her career in financial dealing (Armenbrok OJSC 2015). Afterward, she took a role at the Ministry of Health within the Armenian government. From the period of 2017-2019 she was as an adviser at the Healthcare Policy Department within the Republic of Armenia government. Currently she serves as an adviser at the Department of Economics and Finance to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia. She is described by fellow members as sociable, responsible and hard-working.
Ani is fluent in Armenian, English, French and Russian.
Mariam
Muradyan
Mariam was born in Yerevan and graduated from the French University in Armenia, faculty of Marketing. Mariam joined our DNA family in April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Together with our other team members, she developed a communication strategy for DNA and is currently managing our Social Media Marketing team.
Adventure travel is Mariam’s passion. Each year she’s organizing trips to non-standard destinations around the world such as Iceland, Philippines, Portugal, etc. She is always full of energy and motivated in having her own impact on different social projects.
Mariam is fluent in Armenian, English, and Russian. Currently, she’s working as a Chief Marketing Officer of Yell Extreme Park as well as actively engaged in her own marketing business development. She also decided to become an airplane pilot in 2021.
Serzh
Nersisyan
Serzh is our talented cinematographer. He is twenty-six years old. He lives in the village of Voskevaz in the Aragatsotn province of Armenia. He received his degree from the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography (YSITC). He worked as an assistant to the cameraman from 2015-2018. He also worked as a cameraman at KENTRON TELEVISION in 2019, and then at ArmDaily.am media broadcast.
Serzh has a dream. He would like to reconstruct his house into a sanatorium, as it’s near the river where everyone can feel close to the pristine nature and experience unforgettable moments.
Mane
Matghosyan
Mane was born in Yerevan. He received a bachelor’s degree from the American University of Armenia, majoring in English: Communication. He is a writer, translator and travel agent. Volunteering, books, cultures, people և ideas inspire him to serve the greater good. She likes to make movies, explore topics related to women’s rights, and care.
Mary
Karapetyan
Mary is the most member of the creative team. Studied at TUMO – CENTER OF CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES – Graphic Designer Motion design, 2D animation, Calligraphy և is currently a 4th year student at the Faculty of Painting of Yerevan State Academy of Fine Arts.
Mary participated in the DNA youth exchange program in Romania. As a result, he became so fond of DNA that he decided to join our team and use his knowledge and skills to make a positive difference in the organization.
Alina
Zhamharyan
Alina is volunteering as an English-Armenian translator working with DNA Community and Civil Society Support NGO.
She was born in Gavar, in the heart of Gegharkunik. She is 19 years old, Alina studies Chinese-Armenian translation at Brusov State University, she has big goals with Chinese․ As of today,Alina speaks Armenian, Russian, English and Chinese, and she is truly glad, that her passion for linguistics and translation can be used to help others․She has a big interest and passion in foreign languages, cultures and its people. So she has a big dream to explore the word.
Vanush
Harutyunyan
Vanush is a serving member of Armenia Defense Force’s as a Pilot Engineer in Armenia Air Force.
He is a member of our content team and you will find weekly blogs and articles on topics and themes that inspire him, with his great storytelling and dynamic and objective views his content inspires and attracts attention.
His interests are English language, programming & Swimming.
Vanush is Fluent in Armenian and Russian.
Lika
Stepanyan
She was born in Yerevan. Lika graduated from Yerevan State University with a degree in Philology, Pedagogy, English Language and Literature, and currently teaches at St. Teresa Medical University. Lika is an organized teacher who develops inspiring relationships with students. She has a great relationship with people of all ages, especially children. His ability to connect with students և simple concepts like him նրա his talent for teaching more advanced topics is truly excellent. He then went on to help ESL students with English courses, declaring that his mission was to help ESL students improve their English, increase multicultural awareness and social cohesion at school. as a whole. Lika is the perfect person to get involved in group projects, but she knows how to lead properly. He is an organized, involved և curious person who helps to make our team a lively և safe place to take mental risks.
Her responsibilities at DNA range from being a translator to teaching various DNA programs. In her spare time, Lika can be met while traveling, going to the gym, swimming, driving. Lika speaks Armenian, English, Russian and German. which helps to make our team a lively environment և a safe place to take mental risks. His responsibilities at DNA range from being a translator to teaching various DNA programs.
In her spare time, Lika can be met while traveling, going to the gym, swimming, driving. Lika speaks Armenian, English, Russian and German. which helps to make our team a lively environment և a safe place to take mental risks. His responsibilities at DNA range from being a translator to teaching various DNA programs. In her spare time, Lika can be met while traveling, going to the gym, swimming, driving. Lika speaks Armenian, English, Russian and German.
Kerolin
Semerjyan
Carolyn Semerjian was born in 1994 in the Syrian city of Damascus. The young Syrian-Armenian artist rises to the occasion thanks to works in which colors are interspersed with pastel shades through short, dynamic brushes and flowing lines. Semerjyan received a bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Fine Arts of Damascus University in 2015, while he is preparing to receive a master’s degree at the Yerevan State Academy of Fine Arts. The artist developed her skills, underwent a number of internships in Lebanon, Armenia, Georgia and Romania, working with a number of international artists, such as Emanuel Paul Giragosian and the late Vajikh Nahl.
Semerjyan works as an art teacher, organizer of events, at the same time he is the manager, art curator of “Scancelli Gallerie”, and currently Semerjyan works as an assistant producer of the Biennale 2020 Yerjan, he also works as the director of an art gallery At the Musee of Emmanuel Guiragossian in Lebanon. Caroline’s work has been exhibited extensively in Syria, Italy, Germany, Yerevan, and the United States during her two solo exhibitions. Caroline speaks Armenian, English and Arabic.
Karina
Nikoghosyan
Karina was born in Georgia, but when she was 5 years old they moved to Yerevan. She has graduated “Yerevan State College of Informatics” certified in Computers, complexes, systems and networks. Then she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree of Finance & Economy from University of Foreign Economic Relations.
Her career started as a manager in one of Yerevan’s cafes. And currently she is working at one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in Armenia as a financier. She also has extensive experience in Project Management.
Karina loves meeting new people and learning something new all the time.
Karina in Fluent in Armenian, English & Russian.
Shant
Hayrabedyan
Shant is a Syrian-Armenian born in Aleppo / Syria. After living there for 17 years before the war in Syria, he moved with his family to Yerevan / Armenia in 2012, hoping to have a better and safer life in his homeland.
Shant is currently a student at Yerevan State University. He studies at the Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Informatics. In addition to his university life, he is also involved in music. At first, music was just a hobby for Shant, but then he took his first steps in the field և first stage, musicians, different genres of music ․․․ Over time, all of this turned from a hobby to a favorite job.
Shant is a friendly, positive person. He always strives for the good, he always works hard for what he wants to do, until he achieves his goal.
Fluent in Armenian, English, Arabic and very little Swedish.
About
Armenia
Why visit Armenia 🇦🇲 ?
The ancient history of Armenia
Armenia is one of the oldest countries in the world, first mentioned in BC. In 520, in the manuscript “Behistun” of the king of Dari. Armenia was also the first country to adopt Christianity as a state religion. Gregory the Illuminator, who baptized Armenia in 301, became the first Catholicos of all Armenians.
Armenia became the first Christian state. The capital of Armenia, Yerevan, is one of the oldest cities in the world. It was founded in BC. In 782 by King Argishti I, which shows that Yerevan is 29 years older than Rome.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
A large number of Armenian sights և structures are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. There are 9 cultural sites in Armenia, which are under the auspices of UNESCO: Haghpat Monastery (X-XIII centuries), Sanahin Monastery (X century), Etchmiadzin Cathedral (IV century), St. Hripsime Church (VII century), St. Gayane Church (VII century), Zvartnots archeological site (VII century), Geghard monastery (IV-XIII centuries), St. Shoghakat church (XVII century), Upper Azat river valley.
In 2014, Armenian lavash was added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. The list of intangible heritage sites includes playing the duduk (2005), the skill of creating Armenian khachkars – stone crosses (2010), the medieval Armenian epic “David of Sassoun” (2012).
The longest cable car in the world
Located next to Tat Monastery (built in the 9th-13th centuries), the Tat Tat Ropeway is the longest cable car in the world. The 5,752-meter-tall Tat T’er is the only engineering facility of its size in the world to be built in just 10 months. The air route to the monastery takes 11 minutes, the maximum height is 320 m, the maximum number of passengers is 25, the capacity of the ropeway is 200 passengers per hour.
The ancient cuisine of the South Caucasus
Armenians use a lot of spices, herbs, wild flowers, which give the dishes their true flavor. Spas, creamy soup made from fermented Armenian yogurt, Armenian kufta (meatballs) or Dolma (masters of grapes stuffed with minced meat) – all worth a taste.
White Armenian cheese և basturma (dried meat with spices), which you can wrap with lavash, Armenian national bread, serve as a perfect snack. The best choice for sweets is Armenian gata, which is a widespread dessert.
Apricot is the national fruit of Armenia. Apricot seeds have been found in the oldest archeological sites. Early botanical names for apricots are Prunus armeniaca և Mala armeniaca.
The pomegranate is the Armenian symbol of life. Tradition has it that a mature pomegranate has 365 seeds, one for each day of the year. The pomegranate appears in works of art, carpets and decorations.
