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AJA East Coast Names Ani Khachian as First Female President-Elect
The Armenian Jewelers Association’s East Coast chapter has also elected its 2026–2027 board of directors.
Ani Khachian, the founder and creative director of Ani Fine Jewelry, is the first woman to be named president-elect in the history of the Armenian Jewelers Association.
New York—The Armenian Jewelers Association’s East Coast chapter in the United States has named jewelry designer Ani Khachian as its president-elect.
She is the first woman to become president-elect in the association’s history.
The milestone reflects the continued evolution of AJA East Coast and “the growing role of women in leadership throughout the global jewelry industry,” the association said.
Khachian, a third-generation jewelry professional, brings decades of industry experience, entrepreneurial leadership, and a commitment to mentorship, responsible sourcing, and professional development to the role.
She is the founder and creative director of Ani Fine Jewelry, a fine jewelry design firm specializing in bespoke jewelry and heirloom creations.
Khachian has served AJA East Coast in leadership roles since 2016 and is currently on the Jewelry Design Professionals Network board of directors.
She is also the 2025 recipient of the Women's Jewelry Association’s Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship.
She holds the Accredited Jewelry Professional, Graduate Diamonds, and Graduate Pearls credentials from the Gemological Institute of America and plans to attend GIA's Jewelry Design & Technology program to advance her expertise in jewelry design, engineering, manufacturing, CAD/CAM technologies, and production innovation.
Throughout her career, Khachian has championed the belief that jewelry is a lasting expression of craftsmanship, culture, personal history, and human connection.
As president-elect, she is committed to expanding educational opportunities, mentoring emerging professionals, strengthening ethical business practices, encouraging responsible sourcing, and fostering greater collaboration across the global jewelry community, the association said.
Her election positions AJA for continued growth while expanding opportunities for current and future generations of jewelry professionals, the association said.
"It is an extraordinary honor to serve as the first female president-elect of AJA East Coast," said Khachian.
"For more than 25 years, our association has celebrated Armenian craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and professional excellence. I am grateful for the confidence of our membership and look forward to working with our board to strengthen member engagement, expand educational opportunities, support emerging professionals, and continue elevating Armenian excellence throughout the global jewelry industry."
Ardem Aslanian, immediate past president and newly elected treasurer of AJA East Coast, said, "It has been a privilege to serve as president of AJA East Coast and to work alongside so many dedicated members throughout my term.
"I congratulate Ani on her election as president-elect and look forward to everything she will bring to our organization. I am confident AJA East Coast will continue to thrive under her leadership."
Related stories will be right here …
She is the first woman to become president-elect in the association’s history.
The milestone reflects the continued evolution of AJA East Coast and “the growing role of women in leadership throughout the global jewelry industry,” the association said.
Khachian, a third-generation jewelry professional, brings decades of industry experience, entrepreneurial leadership, and a commitment to mentorship, responsible sourcing, and professional development to the role.
She is the founder and creative director of Ani Fine Jewelry, a fine jewelry design firm specializing in bespoke jewelry and heirloom creations.
Khachian has served AJA East Coast in leadership roles since 2016 and is currently on the Jewelry Design Professionals Network board of directors.
She is also the 2025 recipient of the Women's Jewelry Association’s Cindy Edelstein Jewelry Design Scholarship.
She holds the Accredited Jewelry Professional, Graduate Diamonds, and Graduate Pearls credentials from the Gemological Institute of America and plans to attend GIA's Jewelry Design & Technology program to advance her expertise in jewelry design, engineering, manufacturing, CAD/CAM technologies, and production innovation.
Throughout her career, Khachian has championed the belief that jewelry is a lasting expression of craftsmanship, culture, personal history, and human connection.
As president-elect, she is committed to expanding educational opportunities, mentoring emerging professionals, strengthening ethical business practices, encouraging responsible sourcing, and fostering greater collaboration across the global jewelry community, the association said.
Her election positions AJA for continued growth while expanding opportunities for current and future generations of jewelry professionals, the association said.
"It is an extraordinary honor to serve as the first female president-elect of AJA East Coast," said Khachian.
"For more than 25 years, our association has celebrated Armenian craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and professional excellence. I am grateful for the confidence of our membership and look forward to working with our board to strengthen member engagement, expand educational opportunities, support emerging professionals, and continue elevating Armenian excellence throughout the global jewelry industry."
Ardem Aslanian, immediate past president and newly elected treasurer of AJA East Coast, said, "It has been a privilege to serve as president of AJA East Coast and to work alongside so many dedicated members throughout my term.
"I congratulate Ani on her election as president-elect and look forward to everything she will bring to our organization. I am confident AJA East Coast will continue to thrive under her leadership."
AJA East Coast also announced the election of its 2026–2027 board of directors.
Along with Khachian and Aslanian, the executive board includes, Michael Givelekian and Arthur Guessian elected as co-vice presidents and Vahe Zartarian as secretary.
The advisory board comprises Berge Abajian; Razmig Aslanian; Hagop Baghdadlian; Nadya Esenyan; Berc Gokberk; Talar Gokberk; Arthur Givelekian, CPA; Vano I. Haroutunian, Esq.; Levon Minassian; Ani Minnetyan; Arek Nisanyan; Arden Kartalyan; and Hrair Kazanjian.
They will focus on expanding educational programming, strengthening member engagement, mentoring emerging professionals, promoting Armenian jewelry craftsmanship, increasing strategic partnerships, and building meaningful connections among jewelry professionals throughout the U.S., Armenia, and the global Armenian Diaspora, the organization said.
Founded in 1999, AJA East Coast represents Armenian jewelers and affiliated businesses throughout the eastern United States.
Through professional development, trade events, strategic partnerships, and community engagement, the organization supports the continued success of Armenian-owned jewelry businesses and advances the global Armenian jewelry industry.
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