Knights and Daughters of Vartan Advance Their Mission at 108th Grand Convocation

Since its inception, $213,885 has been funded for 13 different business types: bakeries, beauty salons, machinery, tailors, small shops, husbandry, agricultural projects and more. These projects together cover 7 regions of Armenia.

All of the recipients of these grants continue to live in Armenia after a year of receiving the grant, indicating the positive psychological impact of the ESP in addition to its financial or business aspect. These families from Artsakh were able to stay occupied and employed, which helped them temporarily escape the harsh reality of losing Artsakh and the trauma of war.

Reports were presented on several projects which were implemented during the last fiscal year, including scholarships in both the US and Armenia, the renovation of schools and kindergartens and the support of research on Armenia and Armenians.

The Knights of Vartan organized a workshop moderated by Avak Sentinel Haig Gulian. He clearly and concisely presented the results of a national survey of the membership. This was followed by a second spirited workshop moderated by NS Jake Bournazian and Past Grand Commander Dr. Gary Zamanigian on Membership Development and Recruitment.

The Daughters of Vartan organized two workshops, the first with Dr. Taline Andonian, discussing the effect of generational trauma and the second, a Professional Women’s panel featuring Dr. Markrete Krikorian, Araz Majnoonian and Ani Jilozian, moderated by Past Grant Matron Lisa Kradjian.

Honorees

Each year, the Knights and Daughters of Vartan pay tribute to one man and one woman whose extraordinary dedication, leadership and generosity have strengthened and enriched the Armenian community.

The Knights 2026 “Man of the Year” award was presented to Harry S. Cherken Jr, a retired attorney, civic leader and dedicated advocate for the Armenian community. He was formerly Managing Partner at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath and he has been widely recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s leading real estate lawyers. Cherken has served on the boards of major corporations and numerous educational and charitable institutions. A founding governor and former chair of the Armenian Bar Association, he is currently President of the Howard Karagheusian Commemorative Corporation and he is Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia for the Greater Philadelphia Area. He also provided pro bono legal services to secure Armenia’s Embassy in Washington, D.C. and its UN Mission in New York, for which he received a presidential citation from Armenia. His longstanding commitment to Armenian heritage includes helping establish the Armenian Heritage Walk in Philadelphia. He delivered a masterfully crafted speech with warmth and authority that commanded the room.

The 2026 “Woman of the Year” award was presented to Vicki Shoghag Hovanessian. She is a distinguished Armenian-American philanthropist, cultural leader and humanitarian whose decades of service have left a lasting impact on the Armenian community worldwide. A champion of culture, education and humanitarian causes, she has led major fundraising efforts for disaster relief, educational institutions, medical programs and cultural initiatives, including helping establish Chicago’s AGBU Cultural Center, securing the future of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, advancing continuing medical education in Armenia and playing a pivotal role in bringing the landmark Armenia exhibition to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. A passionate advocate for Armenian art and heritage, she currently serves as Cultural Advisor to the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the United States and Armenia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations. Her extraordinary leadership has been recognized with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, medals from the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians and multiple U.S. Congressional commendations. Without question, Vicki Shoghag Hovanessian is the embodiment of unwavering dedication and compassion; her impact, leadership and generosity set a standard that inspires everyone.

In 2023, the Knights of Vartan Grand Council introduced a new honor to recognize extraordinary service, the “St. Vartan Mamigonian Knight of the Year.” This year the Knights of Vartan was proud to honor Nishan Atinizian. For more than 50 years, Nishan Atinizian has exemplified leadership, philanthropy and service to the Armenian community. A successful businessman, he played a pioneering role in Armenia’s economic development by leading the acquisition of the Armenia Marriott Hotel — one of the country’s first major foreign investments after independence — and founding Armenia’s first private residential mortgage finance company. Together with his wife, Margrit, he has supported numerous humanitarian, educational and religious initiatives, including the Nishan and Margrit Atinizian Senior Center in Gyumri. A devoted supporter of the Armenian Church and many Armenian organizations, his lifelong contributions have earned him Armenia’s Anania Shiragatsi Medal, the Armenian Church’s St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the St. Vartan Award and numerous other civic and humanitarian recognitions.

The following Knights were honored for their dedication to the organization for the Year 2026. The 110th Anniversary Lifetime Achievement Award was given to four Past Grand Commanders; Steven Adams, Steven Kradjian, Dr. Gary Zamanigian and Robert Barsam. Economic Sustainability Committee members Nshan Kesecker, Dr. Gary Assarian and Howard Atesian were honored for their dedicated efforts throughout the past year. Special Recognition Awards were given to Michael Demirchian, Ken Nahigian, Der Stephan Baljian, John Paklaian, Dro Bush and Haig Gulian.

Several Tahlijes received recognition for their dedication and activities to advance the mission of the Knights of Vartan: Ardaz, Ghevont and Sevan Lodges of Los Angeles, Nareg-Sharvarshan Lodge of Detroit and Ardashad Lodge of Philadelphia.

The Knights and Daughters of Vartan are committed to continue many projects in Armenia and USA and to develop new programs. They include but are not limited to the Economic Sustainability Program (ESP), the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia NGO – building homes for low-income families, scholarships from the Tabibian Family Fund of the Knights of Vartan at Yerevan State University, American University of Armenia, and the National Polytechnic University of Armenia, scholarships for USA students and other charitable initiatives in Armenia and the Diaspora.

The Knights of Vartan Inc. is a fraternal leadership and service organization of Armenian men dedicated to safeguarding and perpetuating the Armenian heritage and cultural traditions. Its membership represents the spectrum of the leadership of the Armenian community. It was founded in 1916 in Philadelphia and is based in the United States with 22 local chapters which support Armenian causes around the world.

The Daughters of Vartan is an Armenian Sisterhood associated with the Knights of Vartan. It was organized in 1933 in Philadelphia. The Daughters of Vartan is an organization of women whose members are committed to the intellectual, personal and leadership development of Armenian women and families around the world, while also promoting Armenian heritage and Christian values through its 18 chapters across the US.

For more information about the Knights and Daughters of Vartan, visit http://kofv.org.