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Our experienced and talented Board of Directors has more than 75 combined years of service to the Armenian community. SOAR has no paid employees, and SOAR's Board of Directors and Partners in Armenia volunteer their time. If you would like to reach any member of our Board, please feel free to contact them by email.
 George S. Yacoubian, Jr., J.D., Ph.D.
President
gyacoubian@soar-us.org
George S. Yacoubian, Jr. has a Master’s Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Management, and a J.D. from the Rutgers University School of Law. He is currently pursuing an LL.M. in Transnational Law from the Temple University School of Law. He is an Assistant District Attorney with the Philadelphia Office of the District Attorney, a Senior Associate with ICF International in Fairfax, VA, and Core Faculty with the Criminal Justice Institute of Nova Southeastern University. He and his wife Erica live in Philadelphia, PA, and adopted a baby girl (Liliana) from Armenia in April 2006. They conceived of the idea of SOAR during a visit to an orphanage in the summer of 2005.
 Hagop Keshishian, P.E.
Vice-President
Hagop Keshishian, PE has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. He holds a Professional Engineer License in the States of Pennsylvania and New Jersey and is a New Jersey Certified Municipal Engineer. Currently Hagop performs engineering and project management services for a construction company and a development company in Philadelphia. Hagop is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Society of Professional Engineers. Hagop presently resides in Abington, PA.
 George S. Yacoubian
Treasurer
George S. Yacoubian is a 1959 graduate of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science. For many years he owned and operated a retail pharmacy, retiring in 1999. For over 40 years he has been an active member of a panoply of organizations including the Armenian Assembly, the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Armenian Students' Association and the Knights of Vartan. He is also a past president of the Haverford Club of Rotary International.
 Susan Harootunian, B.A..
Secretary
Susan Harootunian earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Elementary and Special Education at Holy Family University and is certified to teach in Pennsylvania. She has taught children of all ages and abilities and most recently worked as an Early Intervention teacher with Easter Seals. In August of 2005, Susan traveled to Armenia to adopt and bring home her baby daughter, Anna. She hopes that her efforts with SOAR will help improve the quality of life for the many children left behind. Currently, Susan devotes her time to being a full time mom. She and her husband Paul live in West Chester, PA with their two children, Paul and Anna.
 Tanya M. Bardakjian, M.S.
Tanya M. Bardakjian has a Master of Science degree in genetic counseling. She is Board Certified by the American Board of Genetic Counselors. She practices at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA and is the coordinator of the anophthalmia genetic research program. She has authored many scientific publications in the field of Genetics. She is a clinical supervisor for genetic counseling students from Arcadia University and lectures to medical students and medical residents regularly. She, her husband and three daughters live in Media, PA.
 Jack E. Kazanjian, D.O.
Jack E. Kazanjian, D.O., earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Bucknell University and his medical degree, in 1998, from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) in Philadelphia, PA. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at PCOM's affiliated hospitals and a fellowship in sports medicine and adult reconstruction at The Hughston Clinic in Columbus, GA. Dr. Kazanjian is board certified in orthopedic surgery and currently resides and practices in Delaware County, PA. A former college athlete, he is a member of several professional societies and oversees all SOAR activities related to medicine and the delivery of medical services.
 Arousiag Keshishian, Esq.
Arousiag Keshishian, Esq. earned Political Science and Juris Doctor degrees both from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Currently Arousiag devotes her energies to her solo practice, where she concentrates on Immigration and Nationality Law. Arousiag has chosen the immigration practice because of her multi-language background. She finds this area of the law rewarding because of the diversified international population she interacts with on a daily basis. In her practice she handles all family, corporate/business and general immigration matters. Among other organizations, Arousiag is a member of the Armenian Bar Association and the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She is admitted to practice in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Arousiag is excited about using her background to assist SOAR in meeting their goals while serving in the best interest of the orphaned children in Armenia.
 Asadur Minasian
Asadur Minasian earned a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology with a Minor in Pre-Law from Widener University. After graduating from Widener, he was offered a position at MBNA America as a Fraud Investigator. Asadur was responsible for investigating fraudulent activities on customer accounts. After 4 yrs with MBNA, Asadur wanted to do what he truly loved, and that was work with Art and Custom Framing. He established Masterpieces Fine Art & Custom Framing, Inc. in 2002 and is currently the President of the company. Asadur recognizes that many Armenians, young and old, are great artists and displays art direct from Armenia. He is currently a member of the PPFA (Professional Picture Framers Association) and currently resides in Newtown Square with his wife Arpy and 3 children Vahe, Sareen, and Nare.
 Erica Yacoubian, M.P.T.
Erica Yacoubian has a Masters in Physical Therapy from the University of Scranton. She currently works for GlaxoSmithKline in the Sales Training Department. She and her husband George live in Philadelphia with their 2 daughters. Their eldest, Lili, was adopted from Armenia in 2006, and officially became a Yacoubian on her first birthday in April. Her baby sister joined the family in June 2008. The idea for SOAR, Inc. was conceived on Erica and George's first trip to Armenia in 2005. When there, they observed the conditions of the various orphanages they visited. Erica believes that the efforts around SOAR can go a long way to help these underpriveleged children (whom Lili calls her 'brothers and sisters in Armenia').
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