SOAR Tennessee Chapter
Tennessee became part of the SOAR family in February 2015. Unlike most of SOAR’s other Chapters, SOAR-Tennessee exists in a considerably smaller Armenian market. The community consists of Armenians from Armenia, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Azerbaijan, Romania, Russia and other countries around the globe, galvanized by the Armenian Church of Nashville. Their local Board of Directors brings a heartfelt level of enthusiasm and commitment that epitomizes SOAR’s mission to orphaned Armenians throughout the world.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Jacqueline Hahamyan
President
Jacqueline Hahamyan grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and was born to two Armenian parents. Having just graduated from Belmont University with a Business Analytics degree in May of 2023, she spent the following 3 months doing a program in Yerevan called Birthright Armenia, a program devoted to reconnecting Armenian Diaspora with the homeland. After completion of Birthright, she started a job as a project analyst with Deloitte Consulting in Nashville. Jacqueline is passionate about helping others and learning about different languages, cultures, and customs. She holds her Armenian identity very near and dear to her heart and is always looking for ways to give back to the Armenian community. Eager to learn anything she can grasp on to, she listens to Armenian podcasts and reads books in Armenian in order to do her part in preserving the language and culture of her homeland. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, pickleball, engaging in meaningful conversations, and exploring new coffee shops.
Astghik Markosyan
Astghik Markosyan (Asti) was born and raised in Vanadzor and from an early age she had a keen interest in language and literature. This is why she decided to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature.
After completing her undergraduate studies, she felt the need to expand her horizons and learn more about the world. Astghik decided to pursue a Master’s degree in HR Management which opened up many doors for her. She had the opportunity to study abroad in Portugal and Germany, which helped her gain valuable international experience and exposure to diverse perspectives.
Currently, Astghik lives in Tennessee, and she loves being part of a diverse community. However, her heart still beats for Armenia, and she is always looking for ways to give back to her homeland. She is excited to volunteer at SOAR, an organization that works to empower Armenian communities around the world, to fulfill her desire of giving back to her fellow Armenians in need.