AAHPO Board Member John P. Bilezikian, MD offered this heartfelt tribute: “The international community of Armenians has lost one of its greatest leaders. Zaven Khanjian was one of a kind: a man whose life was rooted in unshakable faith and a commitment to foster the spiritual health of all Armenians.
Both in Armenia and in the diaspora, Zaven was always here for us whether it was to give advice, initiate programs, work with other organizations and, in the end, to do what he did best, namely, to give as much of himself to the greater good of all Armenians.
In this quest, he reached beyond the confines of his roots to serve as an example for how the selfless achieve greatness. Zaven always reached beyond himself and in doing so accomplished more than most of us would hope to in the time we have on this earth. We salute our friend, leader, and visionary. May we strive to emulate his life by carrying on in spirit and in good deeds what he did so well.”
AAHPO President Lawrence V. Najarian, MD added: “Zaven Khanjian was a compassionate, intelligent, eloquent, and thoughtful leader whose wise counsel will be greatly missed. He was sensitive to the needs of Armenians living in communities throughout the world and worked tirelessly on their behalf to improve their lives. His passing is a great loss to all Armenians.”
Zaven Khanjian
Born in Aleppo, Syria, and educated in Syria and Lebanon, Mr. Khanjian in 1973 moved his wife, Sona Kelligian and their family of two sons and a daughter, to California. After a long and successful business career, in 2014 he was appointed as Executive Director/CEO of the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA), which he served until his passing.
Over the years, Mr. Khanjian served in leadership capacities at the Armenia Fund, The Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, The Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School, The United Armenian Congregational Church, Haigazian University of Beirut, the Glendale Family YMCA, The Salvation Army-Glendale Corps, American for Artsakh, The Armenian-American Real Estate Association and as Chairman of the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund, raising over $1 million.
Mr. Khandjian leaves behind his wife Sona; three children Vasken, Hrag and his wife Michelle, and Vana and her husband Armen Vartanian; five grandsons and one granddaughter.
