Public Education Leadership
Sahakian was first elected to the Board of Education of the Glendale Unified School District in 2017. He was the youngest Board of Education member elected in Glendale history. He was re-elected to his second term on the Board of Education in 2022. During his tenure, he served two terms as the President of the Board of Education.
He championed 21st century academic programs for college, career, and life success through the establishment of leading STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics) programs, implementation of pivotal Financial Literacy curriculum, expansion of enriching Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs, and advancement of foundational Early Childhood Education programs.
He fostered healthy, safe, and inclusive schools for all through the founding of the highly acclaimed Student Voice Panels program, expansion of essential Mental Health Support programs, and launch of significant Community Building initiatives to strengthen collaboration between students, families, and educators.
He spearheaded signature government reforms to strengthen the public education system through the authorship of the Board’s first Term Limits measure to cultivate responsive governance, authorship of the District’s first Board Training policy to elevate effective leadership, authorship of the Board’s first Code of Ethics to promote the highest standards of ethical conduct, and authorship of the State of California’s first Ethics Complaint Procedure to bolster transparency, accountability, and public trust.
He served two terms as a Delegate Assembly member of the California School Boards Association (CSBA), representing school districts throughout the region and advocating for public school students and public education policy at the state and federal level.
Community Leadership
Sahakian has led a life of service from an early age and held many leadership roles with community organizations which are dedicated to serving children, youth, and families.
He has served as the Chair of the City of Glendale Arts & Culture Commission, Chair of Glendale Youth Alliance, President of Glendale Parks & Open Space Foundation, and Vice President of Kiwanis Club of Glendale, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of Ascencia and The Campbell Center. He was a Co-Founder of Glendale Young Professionals, a leadership and mentorship program through the Glendale Chamber of Commerce. He was a Co-Founder of the One Glendale Youth After School Sports Program, a coed athletics and nutrition education program for elementary school students through a partnership between the Glendale Unified School District, City of Glendale, and Glendale Parks & Open Space Foundation. He was a Co-Founder of Glendale Dodger Night, a longstanding community tradition at Dodger Stadium through a partnership between the Los Angeles Dodgers, City of Glendale, and Glendale Parks & Open Space Foundation. He currently serves as a Youth Baseball Coach at Foothill Little League.
He is a proud Armenian American, son of immigrants, and descendent of Armenian Genocide survivors. He was a Co-Organizer of the Armenian Genocide Centennial March for Justice, one of the largest public gatherings in Los Angeles history with more than 166,000 participants. He has served as the Co-Chair of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Professional Network and Workshop Leader at TUMO Center for Creative Technologies in Armenia. He has advocated for Genocide Education in public schools across America, initiated the District’s first Armenian American Heritage Month resolution, and spearheaded the nation’s first Western Armenian Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program.
His professional career began as a young entrepreneur at the age of fourteen when he founded his own digital agency serving businesses and non-profit organizations with marketing, communications, design, and technology services. He served as the inaugural Executive Director of the Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California, a world class cultural and educational institution with a mission to serve and uplift future generations.
Awards & Recognition
Sahakian’s education, non-profit, and civic work has been recognized with numerous honors over the years.
He is the first Armenian American to be honored with the prestigious Man of the Year Award from the Glendale Chamber of Commerce.
He is the recipient of the Hope Diamond Award from Glendale Educational Foundation, Community Award from Character & Ethics Project, Hero Award from Glendale Youth Alliance, and Purple Tie Award from YWCA Glendale & Pasadena.
Most recently, he was recognized with the Elected Official Honorary Service Award from Glendale Council PTA for outstanding service to children and youth in the community.
Hometown Roots
Sahakian is a proud lifelong resident of Glendale and product of Glendale public schools with deep roots in the community. He attended Columbus Elementary School, attended Toll Middle School, and graduated from Hoover High School Class of 2003.
He has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Art & Graphic Design with a Marketing Minor from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and a Certificate in Marketing from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA Extension).
He is most proud of his role as a father and husband. He and his wife, Suzanna, reside in Glendale with their son, Raffi, and daughter, Lori.
