Nancy Agabian is the author of Princess Freak (Beyond Baroque Books, 2000), a collection of poems and performance art texts. She is the editor of Matnashoonch (Metis Press, 2007), an anthology from the women's creative nonfiction writing project, which she facilitated in Yerevan during the summer of 2007. With Lara Aharonian and Shushan Avagyan, she is one of the tri-authors of (An)taratsutian mej (Women's Resource Center, 2007), an experimental book in English, French and Armenian. Her memoir Me as her again will be published by Aunt Lute Books, a multicultural women's press, in 2008. She is currently working on a book about her experience living in Armenia as a diasporan for a year, incorporating blog posts, interviews and journal entries. She lives in New York and teaches writing at Queens College.

Lalo Alcaraz is a Los Angeles-based, internationally renowned political cartoonist, journalist, and multimedia humorist. He is the creator of the first nationally syndicated Latino-themed daily comic strip, 'La Cucaracha.' Alcaraz has produced editorial cartoons for LA Weekly since 1992 and also creates cartoons in Spanish for La Opinion, the United States' oldest Spanish-language newspaper. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Village Voice, Los Angeles Times, Variety, Hispanic Magazine, Latina magazine, La Jornada in Mexico City, BUNTE, (Germany's People magazine) and many other publications. Alcaraz attended San Diego State University, where he graduated with a degree in art. He then earned a master's degree in architecture from UC Berkeley. Alcaraz illustrated Latino USA: A Cartoon History, published in 2000 by Harper Collins. He is a host of The Pocho Hour of Power, a weekly political humor show originating in the studios of Pacifica Radio's KPFK and heard on other stations as well.

Armineh Arakelian is an international lawyer and political scientist who has worked over the past twenty years with intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, including the United Nations and European Union, in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. Her work encompasses human rights, humanitarian efforts, international development, democracy building, and gender issues. She is currently the general director of the Resource Building Institute in Democracy, Governance and Elections, a non-profit organization. In 1999, Arakelian founded the Institute for Democracy and Human Rights in Armenia, a non-governmental organization based on activism and volunteerism that strives to establish a culture of democracy based on human rights, development, education, political consciousness and citizenship.

Maria Armoudian is the host and producer of KPFK's the Insighters which airs at 4 PM on Thursdays. She is also a commissioner for the City of Los Angeles' Environmental Affairs Commission, a singer/songwriter of environmentally/politically conscious music and a writer. As a writer, she has been syndicated by both the New York Times Syndicate, the Los Angeles Times Syndicate and has written for numerous publications including Salon.com, Daily Variety, Billboard, the Progressive, Inc. and Business Week. Maria worked for the California State Legislature for eight years specializing in the environment, civil rights and corporate responsibility. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD Studies in Political Science and International Affairs at the University of Southern California.

Zanku Armenian has more than 20 years of experience leading communications strategies for major corporations and high-profile issue campaigns. Armenian is a senior executive in the corporate communications department of Southern California Edison, one of the nation’s largest electric utilities. He has worked at the Motion Picture Association of America representing the interests of member studios including Disney, Fox, MGM, NBC Universal, Paramount and Sony Pictures. Armenian also has extensive experience working for global public relations agencies. He was Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Western Region, with Brodeur Worldwide, a global public relations firm specializing in communications strategies and services for technology companies. Prior to heading Brodeur’s western region, Armenian established and built Brodeur’s Washington, D.C. office, launching the firm’s technology issues management practice. A native of the Washington, D.C. area, Armenian has in-depth experience in public affairs and crisis communications working with major corporations and industry coalitions. He was a founding member of Powell Tate (later acquired by WeberShandwick), founded by President Jimmy Carter’s press secretary Jody Powell and First Lady Nancy Reagan’s press secretary Sheila Tate. He has also held positions with the worldwide public relations firm Burson-Marsteller. During his work at these major public affairs firms he has worked closely with influential lobbying firms and media-trained prominent CEOs and domestic and international political figures. He has led issue campaigns in major industry sectors including airlines, entertainment, travel, technology, defense, pharmaceutical and financial services. Armenian has also held positions in the House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and ABC News and has been very active in national, local, and presidential political campaigns. Bringing his expertise to the Armenian community, Armenian has played a prominent role on major issues within the community over the last several decades and currently serves on the western region board of the Armenian National Committee of America. Zanku Armenian graduated from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in mass communication with a secondary concentration in government and politics.

David Barsamian is founder and director of Alternative Radio, the independent award-winning weekly series based in Boulder, Colorado. He is a radio producer, journalist, author and lecturer. He has been working in radio since 1978. His interviews and articles appear regularly in The Progressive and Z Magazine . Recent books include Targeting Iran, Imperial Ambitions with Noam Chomsky, and Speaking of Empire & Resistance with Tariq Ali. Barsamian lectures on U.S. foreign policy, the media, propaganda, and corporate power in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, India and Europe. He is the winner of the ACLU's Upton Sinclair Award for independent journalism and of a Democracy Media Award. www.alternativeradio.org/barsamian

Vahe Berberian, an Armenian painter, author, playwright, actor, and director, was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1955. He grew up in Beirut in an intellectual milieu. His parents' home was a meeting place open to friends from the worlds of theatre, literature and the arts. He later relocated to Los Angeles, where he has been a resident since 1976. VahÈ studied art in both Lebanon and the United States; and he received a degree in journalism with honors in 1980. VahÈ has participated in more than 30 individual and group exhibitions throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and the Middle East. Berberian's presence in multiple artistic realms and his bridging the Armenian and broader communities have enabled him to take novel, ground breaking steps in the Armenian community. Berberian's artwork has made its way into the prestigious homes of collectors, such as Opera Director, Peter Sellars; actress, Mariett Hartley; Canadian filmmaker, Atom Egoyan; and architect, Frank Israel among others. VahÈ's works have also been displayed in films, such as Adaptation and Spiderman 1 & 2. His work has also been featured in the Emmy-winning series 24 and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

Lena Guedikian-Bozoyan - Finance manager in a non profit, Controller for 12 years at a Construction company. Long time community activist. Vice Chair of the Glendale Commission On the status Of Women. Member of the league of women voters, she has volunteered in various Armenian as well as non Armenian women's Organizations and has extensive experience in promoting women's issues in the Armenian community in Glendale. She plays a pivotal role in bridging and networking between different diverse groups and Organizations and local media. Current Board member of the Armenian Relief Society Glendale "Sepan" chapter and the member of the "ARS VOICE" a TV show that promotes ARS's mission. Vice Chair Of the ARS "Javakhk" Committee, Western Region. Spear headed many fundraising events for local political campaigns, youth activities, cultural, social programs and helped raise funds for Armenian youth centers locally, in Armenia and "Javakhk". Lena holds a BA in Business Administration. Married has two children.

Khatchik Der Ghoukassian is a Professor of International Relations at the Universidad de San Andres in Argentina and a Visiting Professor at the American University of Armenia. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Miami and an M.A. from FLACSO/Argentina. Formerly the editor of ARMENIA, the Buenos Aires-based Armenian newspaper, Der Ghoukassian has specialized in security studies, and published widely about the Middle East, the Caucasus, Latin America and Armenian affairs.

Maral Habeshian is a public relations consultant and former English editor of Asbarez Daily newspaper. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from George Washington University and began working on Capitol Hill as a staffer for a senior US Representative Thomas Luken. She later headed the Armenian Relief Society's Armenian earthquake relief projects and served as an interpreter and translator for the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in their Armenia initiatives.
She worked several years as a trading and research associate at the New York based Moore Capital Management hedge fund before relocating to Los Angeles where she is currently involved in public relations and graphic design. She has also worked with the Armenian National Committee in promoting their west coast initiatives.

Ty Hudson, a Yale University graduate, is an organizer with UNITE HERE. He worked for three years as a front desk agent at the Westin LAX Hotel where he was a member of the organizing committee and helped lead a successful struggle for union recognition. Subsequently he coordinated the boycott of the Glendale Hilton, helping finish a long fight and achieve the first union contract at the hotel. Now he recruits activists for the union's organizing training program.

Aram Kouyoumdjian is a Senior Litigation Attorney with Martin & Martin, LLP, where he practices in the areas of Labor & Employment law. A former partner with a Sacramento litigation firm, Mr. Kouyoumdjian has handled a broad range of labor and employment matters under both federal and state law, including discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, wage and hour, and workplace violence. Mr. Kouyoumdjian's experience includes multiple jury trials and appellate arguments, and several of his high-profile cases have received widespread print and broadcast media attention. Mr. Kouyoumdjian received his J.D. with honors in 1995 from McGeorge School of Law, where he served as an editor for law review. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of California, Los Angeles. An award-winning writer, Mr. Kouyoumdjian has published several legal articles, has moderated conference panels, and has lectured on law, including as a guest at the American University of Armenia. Mr. Kouyoumdjian's pro bono efforts in the Armenian community involve organizing a free legal clinic through the collaborative efforts of his firm and the Armenian Bar Association.

Paul Krekorian was elected to the California State Assembly in 2006 to serve the communities of Burbank, Glendale, Los Feliz, North Hollywood, Silver Lake, Valley Glen, Van Nuys and Toluca Lake. Mr. Krekorian serves on two of the Assembly's most powerful committees, Appropriations and Rules. He also serves on the Utilities & Commerce, Judiciary, and Human Services committees, the Select Committee on Hate Crimes, and as Chair of the Select Committee on Preservation of California's Entertainment Industry. Prior to his service in the Assembly, Mr. Krekorian served as President of the Burbank Board of Education. He is a partner in the law firm of Fisher & Krekorian, and he has practiced as a business, entertainment and intellectual property litigation attorney for over 20 years. He received his law degree from UC Berkeley and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from USC.

Levon Marashlian is Professor of History at Glendale Community College in California where he teaches Armenian history and Diaspora current affairs, as well as Middle Eastern, Russian, and US history and politics. He has also taught courses at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), California State University Northridge (CSUN), and Los Angeles Valley Community College. He has lectured extensively in Armenia at the Academy of Sciences, Yerevan State University, and the American University of Armenia, as well as in Beirut, Lebanon and Montreal, Canada. He was a Fulbright Scholar in Armenia in 1994, teaching courses on democracy in America. In 1996, Marashlian testified before the US House of Representatives International Relations Committee, during a hearing on the Armenian Genocide. In 1990 he participated in the government-sponsored 11th Congress of Turkish History. His paper, "Economic and Moral Influences on US Policies toward Turkey and the Armenians, 1919-1923," covered the Armenian Genocide and its aftermath and it was published in Ankara by the Turkish Historical Society Press in 1994. It was also published in Turkish in Istanbul as a book in 2000. Marashlian's other publications include books, contributions to anthologies, and numerous appearances, in print and in person, in the scholarly and general media, locally and internationally. He received his BA from the University of Illinois in Chicago (UICC) and his MA and PhD from UCLA. He was born in Beirut in 1948, raised in Chicago since 1956, and served in Vietnam as a US Army infantryman, 1968-69.

Markar Melkonian earned his PhD in philosophy from the University of Massachusetts. He is currently an instructor of philosophy at California State University, Northridge. He has published: My Brother's Road: An American's Fateful Journey to Armenia, Richard Rorty's Politics: Liberalism at the End of the American Century, The Weapon of Theory: A Post-Cold War Primer for Marxism.

Nayiri Nahabedian, MSW, is a graduate of UCLA's School of Public Policy and Social Research. Since 2000, she has been a faculty member at CSULA's School of Social Work. She has taught courses on public policy, social services, and field education practicum. Her focus is on policies that impact children and families, program development and evaluation, and community organizing. She is also a highly valued organization consultant with expertise in mission and strategy development, and cultural diversity. Nahabedian has a long history of community activism, service, and leadership. She has served on many boards including: founding member of AGBU Young Professionals, Generation Next Mentorship, Burbank Armenian National Committee, and Forum for Armenian Cultural and Social Studies. She was an inaugural member of the City of Glendale's Commission on the Status of Women. In 2007, Nayiri was elected to the Glendale Board of Education; the second foreign-born Armenian woman to hold and elected office in the United States.

Emma Oshagan holds two Ph.D.s: in Communication Arts from University of Wisconsin-Madison and Clinical Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology. She is the Coordinator of Armenian Program Development at Pacific Clinics. Founded, developed and directed at Pacific Clinics the first school-based mental health programs, serving Armenian students in Glendale and N. Hollywood schools. Oshagan’s experience includes several years of teaching and service as Chair of Psychology Program at Beirut University, professorship in the Journalism and Communication Departments at the California State University system, and more than 20 years of clinical practice working with children, adults, elderly, and chronically ill in hospital settings, private practice, and mental health agencies. She is Stakeholder, alternate delegate to the Workforce Education and Training Ad Hoc Committee, co-chair of the Underrepresented Ethnic Populations Committee for the Mental Health Services Act planning process for Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health representing Armenians and other ethnic populations in Los Angeles County. Oshagan is founder and chair the Armenian American Mental Health Association of California.

Jerry Quickley is a renowned performance poet, an independent journalist and anti-war activist based in Los Angeles. Quickly is the host of the popular Pacifica Radio show, Beneath the Surface, on KPFK in Los Angeles. Quickly was born in Queens, New York. He began writing under the influence of hip-hop, Ginsberg and Bukowski. Today he's one of the most sought after poets of his generation. During the days leading up to the war, Quickly went to Iraq to make a documentary and reported for Pacifica. He was deported by Iraqi authorities one day after bombs began dropping. Quickly has written and performed a one-man show 'Live from Iraq,' a hip-hop perspective on the horrors he experienced in Iraq. His forthcoming book, B_Boys in Baghdad, looks at African-American anti-war activism and the war in Iraq.

Gohar Shahnazaryan is visiting a scholar at the Institute of Slavic, Eurasian, and East European Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. She is using her time at Berkeley to develop a course that will examine the impact of social and cultural transformations on identity, values, and attitudes. She received her Ph.D. in Sociology from Yerevan State University. Currently, Shahnazaryan is an Assistant Professor at the YSU, Department of Sociology. Her areas of research and publication include gender stratification, women's rights and women's movement in Armenia, transformation of gender identity in post-soviet Armenia. She is also co-founder of Women's Resource Center, non-profit organization in Yerevan.

Roger Waldinger is Distinguished Professor of Sociology at UCLA, where he served as Chair of his department from 1999 to 2004 and as Director of the Lewis Center for Regional Policy, from 1995 to 1998. He has worked on international migration throughout his career, writing on a broad set of topics, including immigrant entrepreneurship, labor markets, assimilation, the second generation, high-skilled immigration, immigration policy, and public opinion. The author of six books, most recently, How the Other Half Works: Immigration and the Social Organization of Labor (University of California Press, 2003), he is now writing a new book, tentatively entitled, Between Here and There: America's Immigrants and Their Homeland Connections. A 2008 Guggenheim Fellow, his research has been supported by grants from the Ford, Haines, Mellon, National Science, Sloan and Russell Sage Foundations. Last year, he was a visiting Professor at the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences in Paris, France.