SOAR - Glendale/La Cañada Chapter
P.O. Box 4
La Cañada, CA 91012
Nestled in the picturesque Crescenta Valley, Glendale/La Cañada-Flintridge is situated between the San Gabriel Mountains and Angeles National Forest to the north and San Rafael Hills to the south. The city is home to Descanso Gardens and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Glendale/La Cañada-Flintridge has been home to many celebrities over the years, including Vince Vaughn; Angela Bassett; Mark Geragos; Ron Howard; Chris D’Elia; Diane Farr; Haley Joel Osment and Emily Osment; Kevin Costner; Bill Plaschke, Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus and Steve Priest. Three of Walt Disney’s top animators, Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston and Eric Larson, as well as Academy Award winner Chris Buck, settled in this community. It is also a popular filming location, where portions of “American Pie,” “Date Movie,” “Old School,” and the 1946 Frank Capra / James Stewart holiday classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” were filmed.
The Crescenta Valley is heavily populated with an expanding Armenian community and has numerous Armenian organizations and centers. SOAR Glendale/La Cañada brings SOAR’s important mission to the region, continuing to raise awareness of the needs of orphaned Armenians around the world.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Elina Gasparyan
President
With ten years of experience in Human Resources, Elina has cultivated a profound understanding of organizational dynamics, employee relations, and hiring. She’s a results-focused person who delivers talent acquisition, retention, and motivating solutions that help her company Pacific Clinics harness the full power of one of their most valuable assets – their people. Her expertise lies not only in talent acquisition but also in fostering an inclusive workplace culture. Passionate about empowering individuals, she believes in the transformative power of support and guidance in both professional and personal development, making her a strong believer in the power of positive thinking in the workplace.
She has always had a passion for helping others and Ioves the idea of being considered a dependable person. Elina appreciates being able to provide people with feedback or helpful advice when they approach her with the hardships they’re facing. She strongly believes that, when we help others, we are not only making a positive difference in their lives, but we are also building a strong sense of community and connection with those around us.
Elina holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry and has obtained HR certification in the US from HRC institute. Born in Artsakh, she relocated to Yerevan in 2008 and moved to the United States in 2014, where she built upon her initial interests.
Outside of work, Elina enjoys hiking and volunteering for Armenian community.
Jack Chaldranyan
Vice President
Jack Chaldranyan was born in Yerevan, Armenia, but has spent the majority of his life in the United States. With a career in corporate management, he has overseen large scale retail operations, talent acquisition and built a reputation for strong leadership and strategic expertise mainly in the services sector. Jack is deeply committed to supporting under-privileged Armenians and is passionate about empowering the nation’s youth through meaningful initiatives.
Amaliya Grigoryan
Head of Operations
Amaylia graduated from East Ukrainian Volodymyr Dahl National University and earned her Master’s Degree in Finance and Banking. With more than 6 years experience in international business development, she had a big passion for different cultures and that passion helped her to become a part of different social communities, having in mind development of Armenian Culture and spreading it around the world.
From 2011 – 2013 Amaylia has been a part of the International Youth Organization AIESEC, where she worked with volunteers from all around the world and implemented many social projects.
For more than 10 years she has been actively involved in the Armenian community in Lugansk city. Amaylia was elected in a role of Chairman of the Armenian Youth Union «URARTU», Lugansk, Ukraine in 2017 and has held that role since.
Her personal qualities include: single-minded, responsible, sociable, not conflict, always ready to help people, always achieves her goals and objectives, regardless of the level of complexity, always tries to improve her personal and professional qualities and skills.
INTERESTS: self-development, education, training, social responsibility, social projects, human rights, foreign languages, business, marketing, advertising, sales, PR.
Astgik Starr Shishikyan
Secretary
Astgik was born in Armenia and lived there until the age of 11. Her family decided to move to the United States in 1988. She is a mother of two and her family lives in Glendale. She has graduated with Master’s In Organizational Management and she currently working for Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services as a Quality Control Monitor. Astgik loves working with people and she enjoys helping them as well.
Nareh Balian
Social Media Manager
Nareh was born in Iran and lived there until the age of 14, when she moved to Armenia with her family and lived there for 26 years. She graduated in Masters of Art from Yerevan Academy of Fine Arts in 2006 and has been working in graphic and UI/UX design. She moved to LA with her husband in 2024. Nareh has experience working in a non-profit and it was there she discovered her love of helping people and doing something together to make a change.
Nareh enjoys being connected to the Armenian community and was excited to be able to join SOAR.
Nusheek Dilanyan
Event Coordinator
Nusheek works as a Family Service Associate in Pacific Clinics in the Glendale area. She is a mom of two. Nusheek is Armenian from Iraq and Syria and have been living in the US for 10 years. She enjoys assisting families to get all the support they need, that’s why she has been volunteering in many places to be able to use her skills to serve them. She is excited about this opportunity to be part of the SOAR team.
Alisa Badryan
Born in Yerevan, Armenia, Alisa Badryan embarked on an academic journey that laid the foundation for her successful career in the United States. After completing her early education, she pursued higher studies at the Armenian State University, where her passion for learning and research led her to become a dedicated member of the Student Scientific Society.
With a deep-rooted commitment to making a difference in the world, Alisa decided to channel her expertise and passion into founding ALMA Behavioral Solutions. This venture became the embodiment of her dedication to improving lives through behavioral solutions and innovative approaches.
ALMA Behavioral Solutions quickly gained recognition for its effective strategies and evidence-based interventions. Under Alisa‘s leadership, the organization has helped countless individuals overcome behavioral challenges, providing them with the necessary tools to lead fulfilling and productive lives.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Alisa remains committed to giving back to her community. She actively participates in philanthropic initiatives, supporting organizations that promote education, mental health awareness, and social welfare.
Today, Alisa Badryan stands as a testament to the power of determination, education, and entrepreneurship. Her journey from Armenia to the United States, marked by academic achievements and the creation of ALMA Behavioral Solutions, serves as an inspiring example of how one person’s vision can positively impact individuals and communities alike. Through her unwavering dedication, Alisa continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of others, leaving a legacy of compassion, innovation, and empowerment.