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Shant Sahakian is an Elected Member and Past President of the Glendale Unified School District Board of Education representing Area D. He was elected to his first term in April 2017, becoming the youngest School Board Member elected in Glendale history. He was re-elected to his second term in June 2022.

He is a proud lifelong resident of the City of Glendale, product of Glendale public schools, and GUSD parent with deep roots in the community. He is a longtime community leader who has championed Glendale’s youth, advocated for the underserved, and served the community through a distinguished record of public service.

As a member of the Board of Education, he has advanced 21st century academic programs that prepare students for college, career, and life success, supported initiatives that promote healthy, safe, and inclusive schools for all, and provided strong leadership in governance, transparency, and accountability.

During his tenure as School Board President, the school district implemented a full and safe reopening of campuses, made historic investments in school programs, people, and infrastructure, and adopted essential reforms including his Term Limits proposal for School Board members. He has been a tireless public servant who has worked together with students, parents, families, teachers, and staff to address the school community’s greatest needs.

In April 2022, Sahakian was elected to the Delegate Assembly of the California School Boards Association, the leading statewide education association representing the elected officials who govern public school districts and county offices of education. As a member of the CSBA Delegate Assembly and GUSD School Board, he represents CSBA’s Region 23-A which serves more than 100,000 students across thirteen school districts including Alhambra, Arcadia, Burbank, Duarte, Garvey, Glendale, La Cañada, Monrovia, Pasadena, San Gabriel, San Marino, South Pasadena, and Temple City.

In the past, he has served as the Chair of the City of Glendale Arts & Culture Commission, Chair of Glendale Youth Alliance, President of the Glendale Parks & Open Space Foundation, and Vice President of Glendale Kiwanis.

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 design and technology services. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California in addition to his elected role.

He became the first Armenian American to be honored with the prestigious Man of the Year Award from the Glendale Chamber of Commerce in 2016. He is the recipient of the Hope Diamond Award from the Glendale Educational Foundation, Community Award from the Character & Ethics Project, and the inaugural Hero Award from Glendale Youth Alliance.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in 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 and his wife, Suzanna, reside in Glendale, California with their son, Raffi, and daughter, Lori.