New York: The Armenian Jewellers Association USA, East Coast (AJA East Coast) has elected jewellery designer Ani Khachian as its first female president-elect, marking a significant leadership milestone for the organisation.
The appointment was confirmed during the election of the association’s 2026–2027 board of directors and comes shortly after AJA East Coast marked its 25th anniversary. Khachian will become the first woman to lead the association since its establishment in 1999.
A third-generation jeweller, Khachian is the Founder and Creative Director of Ani Fine Jewellery, a brand focused on custom-made pieces and heirloom design. She has been actively involved with AJA East Coast since 2016 and has held several roles within the organisation over the years.
Khachian also serves on the board of the Jewellery Design Professionals Network and has completed multiple programmes with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), including Accredited Jewellery Professional, Graduate Diamonds and Graduate Pearls. She has previously received the Women’s Jewellery Association Cindy Edelstein Jewellery Design Scholarship and plans to further expand her technical training through GIA’s Jewellery Design & Technology programme.
Commenting on the appointment, Khachian said she was honoured to take on the role and looked forward to working with the board to strengthen education, mentorship and global connections for jewellers within the Armenian trade community.
Outgoing president Ardem Aslanian, who will move into the treasurer role, expressed support for the leadership transition and confidence in the association’s next phase.
The incoming board plans to focus on educational programmes, mentorship for younger jewellers, ethical sourcing and stronger international industry connections between professionals in the United States, Armenia and other markets.
Founded on 22 September 1999 at New York City’s Diamond Dealers Club, AJA East Coast represents a cross-section of the trade, including diamond dealers, bench jewellers, designers, retailers and suppliers.
With Khachian’s appointment, the association is entering a new chapter that combines its long-standing emphasis on Armenian jewellery traditions with a broader focus on leadership development, education and industry connectivity.