Not my speed. Not my ambition.
MY PRESENCE!
There were days when I was in several places at once – leading Cascade People & Business, holding space for the Armenian HR Association and quietly moving multiple initiatives forward across borders.
It was not about running faster. It was about responsibility. Hard work. And thinking beyond the obvious – together as a team.
What made it possible?
A strong team. Strong women. Shared trust. Big horizons. And the courage to keep going when it was not easy.
At Cascade People & Business, together with incredible partners, this year we:
- Fulfilled another group of HR academy, expanding our alumni community, and launched another cohort to be graduated in the coming spring
- Delivered 30+ corporate trainings across 4 countries, working with organizations such as Byblos Bank Group, Atenk, South Caucasus Railways, Nairi Insurance, Acba Leasing, Expertise France, and others.
- Delivered leadership programs for the Ministry of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia (together with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH) and the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia (together with ECORYS)
- Organized two DisruptHR Yerevan events together with Ameriabank and SoftConstruct
- Supported 19 professionals on their SHRM certification journey. Another 10 got certified – congratulations!
- Sent Armenian delegations to the SHRM USA and SHRM MENA conferences
- Expanded zoom in! career orientation program to Dubai along with Sergey A. Tantushyan and Education Praha.
- Implemented meaningful projects across sectors for various companies, including USAID Armenia, ContourGlobal Hydro Cascade (Armenia), JYSK Armenia, New Ventures Capital, Evolution Gaming, etc
- Realized 400+ background checks and onboarded 10 international companies for employer of record and payroll outsourcing services
- Signed new partnership contracts both within Armenia and beyond its borders
Through the Armenian HR Association, together with our Board, this year we focused on depth, relevance, and community strength.
We:
- Held հայrate – Attractive Employer Award, together with Grant Thornton Armenia, celebrating people-centered and responsible employers
- Organized 10+ HR Clubs, 6 webinars with international partners, and 2 HR discussions addressing the legal implications of labor legislation
- Created community spaces in different formats – from brunch with Yandex Armenia, to a youth initiative with Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) and a joint event with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, where we presented and discussed the importance of dual education
- Celebrated HR Day and the 15th Anniversary of the Armenian HR Association in May with 300+ professionals, together with Nairi Insurance
- Represented Armenia at the European Association for People Management EAPM Annual Delegates Meeting in Brussels, actively contributing to 2 working groups and ensuring the voice of Armenian HR is heard beyond the country.
- Launched 2 new initiatives – Psychology in HR and HR-Doh
- Participated in expos and professional events under strategic partnership umbrellas
- Continued providing Leading HR by AIHR international training platform to our community – 5 professionals joined this year
Community work is rarely loud. But when done consistently, it shapes standards, language, and trust. This year, it mattered.
My work moved across countries, institutions, classrooms, and conversations.
Different formats. Different contexts. One constant: people.
Personally, I was grateful to:
- Facilitate, speak, and contribute at international platforms, including OSHRM Oman, the North America Leadership Alliance (NALA) and the Middle East Leadership Alliance (Mela) Reunion
- Work on long-term team development projects in Tajikistan with AtS Training Center
- Teach at American University of Armenia, TEAM University (Uzbekistan) and Apicius Armenia International School of Hospitality
- Publish and launch my book “The small book on the big lessons of life…”, and co-author a leadership book inspired by Avetik Isahakyan’s novels
- Continue open conversations on different platforms, podcasts and initiatives, including my own OpenUP project
Yes, it was intense. But it was deeply fruitful.
Thank you to my team who makes everything to happen ❤️
Thank you to everyone for your trust, partnership and real business friendship. Hope, that next year will bring more exciting moments to all your businesses and families….
This year, two of our colleagues welcomed wonderful baby girls into the world. A reminder that while we build systems, strategies, and communities – life is the most important creation of all.
Now…
What initiatives do you expect from us next year? What should we build, strengthen or rethink together?
Write in the comments – this conversation matters to us.
