Theme: Awakening the Soul

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

House of Cinematographers
Vardanats 18
2nd floor
Yerevan, Erevan, 0010
Armenia

Aren Deyirmenjian

Country Director of the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA)

Aren Deyirmenjian is the Country Director of the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) in Armenia, a role he has held since 2022. Before this, he served as Deputy Director of AMAA Armenia, overseeing one of the NGO’s largest operations with over 500 employees. He's also deeply involved in various initiatives, including key roles with the National Symphonic Orchestra and the Hayastan All-Armenia Fund. His journey to Armenia began after earning his MBA in Switzerland in 2018, following years of community work in Beirut. The early experiences included significant engagements with the American University of Beirut, Haigazian University, and the Armenian Evangelical Church. How can spirituality bring peace and balance to one’s life when nothing else seems to help? Aren Deyirmenjian will reveal how it became the backbone of his focus and happiness, contributing to success.

Gernot Dr. Grömer,

Director of The Austrian Space Forum

Dr. Gernot Grömer, an astrophysicist and graduate of the International Space University, is the Director of The Austrian Space Forum. As an analog astronaut, he has coordinated 14 astronautical simulation campaigns in Mars-like deserts, including the Israeli Negev, Oman’s Dhofar, and most recently, Armenia's Armash region in 2024. He has conducted research during parabolic flights and teaches at various universities, serving on expert committees like the European Space Agency and the UN's Space Generation Advisory Council. Since 2018, he has hosted Austria’s prime-time science show and enjoys holding water rocket workshops for kindergartens. What does the universe think of life? How can we connect to universal love? Dr. Grömer has intriguing insights to share with us on these cosmic topics.

Nina Hovnanina

CEO of Hovnanian International

Nina Hovnanian is the CEO of Hovnanian International, where she oversees Vahakni, Yerevan’s first gated, western-style community, and the Ararat Valley Country Club. Under her leadership, Vahakni now houses over 500 families, with plans for a 70-hectare innovation city. She co-founded the Yerevan Biennial Arts Foundation and has been instrumental in promoting Armenian culture globally, including the Armenian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. A Columbia University graduate, she has led initiatives like Music Motions and the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, while also showcasing Armenian craftsmanship through Nina Hovnanian Couture. Nina Hovnanian will explore the importance of gratitude - how to cultivate it as individuals, within communities, and as a nation. She'll also highlight that listening is one of the noblest ways to express gratitude.

Vach Hovsepyan

Startup executive, Co-founder, and Advisor

Vach Hovesyan is a serial startup executive, co-founder, and advisor. He transitioned from retail banking at JP Morgan Chase to management consulting at PwC before discovering his passion for technology startups. Over the past eight years, he has led and scaled Customer Success teams at ServiceTitan and Deputy. After playing a pivotal role in establishing and expanding ServiceTitan’s Armenia office, Vach Hovsepyan is now focused on revolutionizing technology for the Waste Management industry in the US. On the TEDxYerevan stage, he will delve into how the phenomenon of guilt has fuelled his success. His story will explore how guilt can become a powerful driver of patriotism and responsibility toward one’s homeland.

Vahe Keushguerian

Founder & CEO of WineWorks

Vahe Keushguerian is the Founder & CEO of WineWorks, a winery incubator supporting 14 top Armenian brands, and Co-Founder of EVN Wine Academy. With 30 years of global wine industry experience, including roles with Tastevin Imports and Lalime’s in San Francisco, he also owned two internationally recognized wineries in Italy. After moving to Armenia in 2009, Vahe consulted on new wineries and initiated the Karas Wine project. He later founded Keush, Armenia’s first traditional method of sparkling wine, and co-founded OSHIN in 2017. Vahe also co-founded EVN Report and Impact Hub Yerevan. If you want to discover the secret to truly thriving rather than just existing, Vahe Keushguerian will be there to share his insights on stage! He’ll reveal the formula for making the most of life and fully engaging with it.

Vardan Petrosyan

Actor

Vardan Petrosyan isn’t just any actor; he's a master of his craft and the creator of a one-of-a-kind theatrical style that’s been wowing audiences all over the globe. After graduating from the Yerevan State Theatre and Fine Arts Institute, he co-founded the cheeky "Hedgehogs" theater studio right after his Soviet Army days. Since 1992, he has been residing between France and Armenia, juggling writing scripts, authoring books, painting, and hosting art exhibitions. Oh, and he still finds time to captivate audiences on stages worldwide, including in Armenia. These days, he's a proud dad of two and the owner of a cat named Toulouse—while his other cat, Colette, decided to go on an adventure two months ago and hasn’t reported back yet. In his talk, Vardan Petrosyan will take us on a journey through his relationship with God, sharing how his faith has been his superpower, helping him survive, create, and live life to the fullest.