Salpy Akaragian, Ph.D., RN, NPD-BC, PHN, is the Founder and President of the Armenian International Medical Fund (AIM Fund) in the U.S. and Armenia. She earned multiple degrees from UCLA, including a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing. She served as the U.S. Partner Representative for USAID/AIHA grants from 1995 to 2004 and directed various healthcare projects in Armenia. Dr. Akaragian works closely with the Prime Minister’s office, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs to enhance the cochlear implant program in Armenia. She began her volunteer work at age 16 and continues to volunteer at various healthcare facilities, sharing her knowledge and experience. She is a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2014 and other prestigious awards. She has conducted research and published in peer-reviewed journals. She is a member of several professional organizations and has presented at local, national, and international conferences.
Ambassador Kristina A. Kvien is President and CEO of the Pacific Council, a role she assumed in March 2026. She brings over three decades of distinguished service as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer, retiring with the rank of Minister Counselor. From 2023 to 2026, she served as the tenth U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, and previously as Chargé d’Affaires in Ukraine, where she led critical diplomatic efforts during a time of conflict. Her leadership earned her the prestigious Ryan C. Crocker Award for Outstanding Leadership in Expeditionary Diplomacy. Throughout her career, Ambassador Kvien has held senior diplomatic roles across Europe and Southeast Asia, including postings in Paris, London, Bangkok, Moscow, Brussels, and Manila, as well as serving on the National Security Council. A California native, she holds degrees from Occidental College and the U.S. Army War College.
Dr. Vicken Sepilian is a Reproductive Medicine specialist and is the founder and director of American Fertility Specialists Medical Group. He is double board-certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, as well as Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Sepilian has been an active member of the Armenian American Medical Society (AAMS) holding multiple leadership positions, including serving as the President from 2009 to 2013. Dr. Sepilian served as the Chairman of the 11th Armenian Medical World Congress and currently is the President of the Armenian Medical International Congress (AMIC), a nonprofit organization with chapters all over the world, with the aim of coordinating global efforts in improving healthcare in Armenia. Passionate about community education, in 2008, Dr. Sepilian launched the “Your Health” educational TV program aimed at sharing with the community the latest and most important healthcare topics. Since 2008, the show has been making house calls to tens of thousands of viewers helping educate them on preventative care and healthy lifestyles. In 2010, Dr. Sepilian, alongside other civic leaders and the former Mayor of the City of Glendale co-founded the Glendale Health Festival. Dr. Sepilian worked closely with city and state officials and local hospitals to organize this large-scale event with the aim to improve the health of the community. Dr. Sepilian is a strong believer that success and wealth are measured by life’s experiences and human interactions and that true happiness and purpose are achieved by giving. Cherished memories include debates about life and death with Dr. Jack Kevorkian, delivering pens to students in villages in Sri Lanka and teaching chess to orphans in Nepal.