Conversations with the Tufenkian Foundation

In this episode, host Rupen Janbazian sits down in Yerevan with Greg Bedian, Director of the Foundation, for a candid conversation about commitment, timing, and responsibility. Greg arrived in Armenia just before the 2020 Artsakh War. He witnessed the upheaval, the heartbreak, and the urgent need for action. He decided to stay. Since then, he has helped lead a range of projects, from humanitarian...

In this episode, host Rupen Janbazian sits down in Yerevan with David Barton, bestselling author and founder of WallBuilders, and Matias Perttula, Director of Save Armenia, just one day after their return from southern Armenia's Syunik Province. Fresh from visiting rural communities like Svarants and historic monasteries like Tatev, the guests share their reflections on what they witnessed—resilie...

In this episode, host Rupen Janbazian sits down with Dr. Antranig Kasbarian, longtime activist, academic, and Director of Development at the Tufenkian Foundation, to reflect on more than 25 years of impact, evolution, and lessons learned on the ground in Armenia and Artsakh. From rebuilding border villages in post-war Artsakh to launching a major new resettlement initiative in Syunik, the Tufenkia...

In this episode, host Rupen Janbazian sits down with Maro Matosian, Ani Jilozian, and Lenna Garibian to reflect on 15 years of impact, advocacy, and resilience at the Women's Support Center (WSC) of Armenia. What began in 2010 as a small pilot initiative—supported by the Tufenkian Foundation, USAID, and AIWA—has become a nationwide movement for change. From providing shelter, legal support, an...

Long before Conversations with the Tufenkian Foundation became a podcast, this in-depth conversation between Antranig Kasbarian and James Tufenkian was recorded in Dec. 2018 to mark the Foundation’s 20th anniversary. In Part One , James reflects on his Armenian roots, the family history that shaped him, and the unexpected path that led him from a legal career in the U.S. to founding a globally rec...

In Episode 6 of Conversations with the Tufenkian Foundation , we speak with Mira Antonyan, President of the Armenian Association of Social Workers, about a vital partnership aimed at helping displaced families from Artsakh. Mira shares insights into the joint psycho-social center recently opened in Goris, the urgent needs of the forcibly displaced population following the September 2023 ethnic cle...

In Episode 5 of Conversations with the Tufenkian Foundation , we speak with Alexander Chmelev, a seasoned tax lawyer, retired Baker & McKenzie partner, and Trustee of the Tufenkian Foundation. Born in New York and with decades of experience across Russia and the former Soviet Union, Alexander reflects on his legal career, role in shaping tax policy, and deepening connection to his Armenian roo...

In Episode 4 of Conversations with the Tufenkian Foundation , we speak with Joe Krikorian, founder and director of Code 3 Angels, a California-based emergency medical organization making a global impact. Joe shares how his team is delivering life-saving training and equipment to vulnerable communities in Armenia, Artsakh, Lebanon, and the U.S. We also dive into the recent partnership between Code...

In Episode 3 of Conversations with the Tufenkian Foundation , we speak with Judith Saryan, activist, philanthropist, and longtime supporter of the Foundation. Judith shares her remarkable journey from a successful career in finance to championing Armenian literature and women’s voices. She reflects on her work with the Armenian International Women's Association (AIWA) to introduce Zabel Yessayan’s...

In this episode of Conversations with the Tufenkian Foundation , we sit down with Dr. Carolann Najarian, physician, author, humanitarian, and longtime supporter of the Foundation. Dr. Najarian reflects on her early experiences in Armenia and Artsakh following the 1988 Spitak earthquake and during the Artsakh Liberation War. She shares stories from her powerful book, A Call From Home: Armenia and K...

Welcome to the first episode of Conversations with the Tufenkian Foundation , where we speak with the people and partners shaping Armenia’s future from the ground up. For our inaugural episode (first aired on Feb. 11, 2022), we had the pleasure of speaking with our director of development Antranig Kasbarian. Antranig has been active in Armenian affairs for most of his life and has been with the Fo...