Vahan Karian, Business Consultant, Chief Executive Officer, University of Michigan

Over the course of almost 20 years, founder and former chairman and chief executive officer of LA Weight Loss Centers, Inc., Vahan Karian grew the successful enterprise to 800 stores. Currently CEO of a business consulting firm, Vahan Karian supports the work of Terchoonian Home Orphanage. Located in Gyumri, Armenia, Terchoonian Home Orphanage opened in 2003. On the site of a former orphanage managed by Near East Relief, Terchoonian Home now houses 74 children, with 54 staff members dedicated to the children’s welfare.

A year after its establishment, orphanage volunteers received nonprofit charitable status as the Terchoonian Children’s Home Foundation. The foundation exists to raise funds and provide supplies to the Armenian orphanage. So far, Terchoonian Children’s Home Foundation donations have resulted in sending 15 shipments of such necessities as clothing, school supplies, and sports equipment. Foundation workers maintain a mission to meeting every emotional, physical, and spiritual need of Terchoonian Home’s orphans. Comprised of volunteers who work in donated office space, the foundation’s donations go directly to the orphanage.