International Armenian Literary Alliance Expands Advisory Board with Addition of Jennifer Manoukian and Alene Terzian-Zeitounian

International Armenian Literary Alliance Expands Advisory Board with Addition of Jennifer Manoukian and Alene Terzian-Zeitounian

The International Armenian Literary Alliance (IALA) has announced the appointment of two new members to its advisory board, further strengthening its leadership and global literary outreach.

Dr. Jennifer Manoukian is a literary translator from Western Armenian and historian of Armenian language practices and ideologies. She earned her Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures from the University of California, Los Angeles, and is the co-founder of Gesaria Armenian Research and Academic Services, a research, historical translation and editorial company focused on enriching the study and creative output of the Armenian past and present. Her book length translations include The Gardens of Silihdar by Zabel Yesayan and The Candidate by Zareh Vorpouni, a co-translation with Ishkhan Jinbashian. Her first monograph, Purist Pursuits: Language, Global Ideas and the Creation of Western Armenian in the Ottoman Empire, will be published by Stanford University Press in June 2026.

Dr. Alene Terzian-Zeitounian is a Lebanese-Armenian poet, educator and globally-minded leader whose work is rooted in questions of identity, advocacy and equity. She holds an M.A. and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing (Poetry), as well as a doctorate in Education, Leadership and Innovation. She serves as Humanities Department Chair at College of the Canyons, where she teaches creative writing and is the faculty advisor of cul-de-sac, the college’s Literary and Arts Magazine, now in its 19th volume. In addition to her work in academia, Alene is the chief advisor and facilitator at Culturally Intelligent Training and Consulting, where she works with corporate, nonprofit, education and small business leaders to design cultural strategies that align individual development with organizational success. She lives in Torrance, California, with her husband and daughter.

The International Armenian Literary Alliance (IALA) has announced the appointment of two new members to its advisory board, further strengthening its leadership and global literary outreach.

The addition of new advisory board members reflects the organization’s continued commitment to supporting Armenian writers, fostering literary excellence, and expanding its international presence. 

Advisory board members play a key role in shaping strategic direction, supporting program development, and enhancing community engagement.

 The International Armenian Literary Alliance works to uplift Armenian voices through mentorship programs, literary initiatives, and collaborative partnerships across the global Armenian diaspora. Strengthening its advisory leadership aligns with its mission to cultivate creative expression and promote Armenian literature on an international stage.

 With expanded expertise and guidance from its advisory board, IALA is well-positioned to deepen its impact, broaden programming opportunities, and strengthen connections within the literary community. The appointments underscore the organization’s dedication to strong governance and sustained cultural advancement through literature.