Mr. Richard Giragosian is the Founding Director of the Regional Studies Center (RSC), an independent “think tank” located in Yerevan, Armenia and serves as both a Visiting Professor at the College of Europe’s Natolin Campus and Senior Expert at Yerevan State University’s Centre for European Studies (CES). He is also a contributing analyst for al Jazeera and Oxford Analytica, a UK-based global analysis and advisory firm.
Dr. David Shahnazaryan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, is a Senior Analyst, providing strategic guidance, innovative analysis, and specific support for the Regional Studies Center (RSC), an independent “thin tank” located in Yerevan, Armenia. In his capacity as Senior Analyst, Dr. Shahnazaryan is engaged in several projects, including RSC efforts in support of “normalizing” relations between Armenia and Turkey and our ongoing engagement and collaborative research with experts and analysts from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Ms. Ashkhen Grigoryan is an Analyst specializing in business and economics, including risk assessment, corporate and sectoral due diligence, and investment and trade assessments. Ms. Grigoryan has over ten years of experience in the private sector, including work as the Planning Coordinator, Production Analyst, and Asset Management Specialist for Coca-Cola, as a Planning Coordinator at the Armenian State Committee of Real Estate Cadastre and, more recently, as a the Planning Coordinator for the Ararat Food Factory. An economist by training, she also assists with organizational development and financial strategy for the RSC.
Ms. Ester Sahakyan is a Research Assistant for a number of projects and activities, as well as providing general administrative and organizational support to the office. Ms. Sahakyan also conducts research and analysis, translation, logistics and event planning and management. She holds an MA in National Security from Yerevan State University’s (YSU) International Relations department and a BA in Political Science from the same University.
Ms. Lilit Martirosyan serves as a Project Assistant for our projects focusing on Turkey and Azerbaijan, and as a fluent Turkish-language speaker, also provides translation support. Ms. Martirosyan holds both an MA and BA from Yerevan State University’s Department of Turkish Studies and is also a frequent commentator on political and economic developments in Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Ms. Zara Sahakyan serves as Financial Director and Project Adviser and is responsible for financial oversight and management, is the direct liaison to the State Revenue Committee (SRC) and other relevant state tax bodies and authorities, and provides strategic planning and guidance on all RSC projects and proposals. Based on her own professional training and experience, she also assists with grants and project management.
Mr. Tiran Sahakyan is the RSC accountant, responsible for the preparation and filing of all invoices, financial transactions and project monitoring. Sahakyan is also responsible for monthly reporting to the Armenian tax authorities. He has extensive experience and has worked as an accountant for over fifteen years, handling the accounts of six NGOs in Armenia.
Mr. Ashot Turajyan is the RSC System Administrator, responsible for the RSC website design, administration and security. A graduate of the State Engineering University of Armenia, Turajyan also provides technical expertise and analytical support for RSC work in the areas of cyber-security and cyber-crime, and assists with our work in using social media tools and technology for organizational outreach and promotion.
Ms. Masoumeh Jamalinia is an Analyst specializing in Iran and the broader Middle East, with a particular focus on proliferation and domestic Iranian developments. A native of Shiraz, Iran, Ms. Jamalinia has been working with the RSC since 2012, after completing an MA in International Relations from the Yerevan State Linguistic University. She also holds a BA from the Yasouj State University in Iran, with a focus on English Language and Literature.