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A Shared Mission
Michael and Kareena Amirkhanian’s path to uplifting the lives of others
Written for AGBU Impact Magazine 2025 by Alik Kandaharian. Photography by Rachel Luna.
To rise in one’s life and help others rise alongside you is a credo that brought Michael Amirkhanian and his wife Kareena Kevork together. It resonates with many in the Armenian community, nurtured through organizations like Homenetmen, in which Kareena and her family have been active in their hometown of San Fernando Valley, California. This spirit of service also led her to the love of her life—Michael, who shares her values and vision for a life of impact.
“When we first met, Michael spoke of his involvement with AGBU and a non-profit called Reconnect Brooklyn, that focuses on mentoring young men through entrepreneurship,” Kareena recalls. “I remember thinking; “this man isn’t just talking about helping others. He’s living it.’’
After graduating from the Kogod School of Business at American University in Washington, D.C., Michael built a career in commercial real estate—first as one of Cushman & Wakefield’s top executives across the Americas, and later as a principal investor overseeing his own portfolio. Yet, he remained deeply connected to the Armenian community in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia. After relocating to NYC, he mentored dozens of interns through the AGBU Global Leadership Program (GLP), formerly called NYSIP, supervising Armenian undergrads. Reflecting on his experience with GLP, Michael shares, “We often cross paths with my former interns when we travel around the world. They’ve become lifelong friends, and I’m truly grateful for that.”
Armenia’s women, whether building communities or businesses, are incredibly resilient and smart. We knew that helping them would yield so much greatness.
Throughout the years, the young couple’s mission has deepened, and, recently, they decided to establish an endowment at AGBU in support of EmpowerHer, a program aimed at giving women across Armenia, particularly those from rural areas, a chance to achieve financial independence and participate in the socio-economic development of the country. Launched in 2017, it offers opportunities to develop workplace skills and entrepreneurial education, in addition to mentorships, mini-grants and other resources to fulfill their potential in life and become role models in their communities.
Kareena states: “Armenia’s women, whether building communities or businesses, are incredibly resilient and smart. We knew that helping them would yield so much greatness.”
Kareena’s own journey embodies the power of mentorship and support. A graduate of UC Berkeley, UCLA, and NYU Langone Health, she is now a dentist anesthesiologist. “I started my practice right after residency with no background in business,” she says. “Along the way, many women helped me find my path, and Michael’s knowledge in business has been invaluable in turning my dream into reality. That’s exactly what EmpowerHer offers—a bridge to help Armenia’s women pursue their dreams of success.”
Without doubt, giving back has been life-changing for the couple. “When you give, you get back tenfold,” Michael affirms. “Becoming successful is great, but becoming whole takes more. No matter where you are in your career, you’re in a position to help someone who’s a few steps behind.”
Նոյեմբեր 25, 2025
