The Armenian Museum of America is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah E. Hayes as Deputy Director, expanding her leadership role at the Museum and positioning her to support the institution’s continued growth, strategic development, and national visibility.

Hayes has served as the Museum’s Director of Development since 2023, leading fundraising, membership, grant management, donor relations, corporate and foundation partnerships, development communications, and fundraising events. In her new role, she will retain leadership of the Museum’s development program while taking on broader responsibilities across the institution.

As Deputy Director, Hayes will work closely with President, Michele Kolligian and Executive Director Jason Sohigian, the Board of Trustees, staff, volunteers, donors, members, and community partners to advance the Museum’s mission and strengthen its financial and organizational sustainability. She will provide leadership and coordination across exhibitions, programs, communications, facilities, visitor experience, and administrative functions, helping ensure that the Museum’s activities are aligned with its strategic priorities.

Hayes will also serve as a key representative of the Armenian Museum of America in external relationships, institutional meetings, events, and community partnerships, and will support the Executive Director in advancing the Museum’s vision and long-term goals.

“Sarah has been an extraordinary leader and advocate for the Museum,” said Jason Sohigian, Executive Director of the Armenian Museum of America. “Her vision, energy, relationships, and deep commitment to our mission have made an enormous impact on the institution. We are thrilled to expand her leadership role as Deputy Director and look forward to all that we will accomplish together.”

During her tenure as Director of Development, Hayes has helped strengthen the Museum’s fundraising and membership programs while supporting an ambitious period of exhibitions, cultural programming, educational initiatives, and institutional growth. She has also played an important role in securing significant loans and cultivating relationships with leading museums, cultural institutions, and private collectors for the Museum’s landmark Arshile Gorky exhibition, helping bring works of Gorky’s art to the Armenian Museum of America from respected institutions and private collections.

Hayes’ professional relationship with Sohigian extends well beyond their work at the Museum. The two first worked together in 2007 through the Armenia Tree Project, where Hayes went on to spend 13 years as West Coast Operations Manager. Their longstanding professional partnership has continued through their shared commitment to Armenia, environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and nonprofit leadership.

“I am deeply honored to take on this new role at the Armenian Museum of America,” said Sarah E. Hayes, Deputy Director. “The past several years have been an incredibly exciting time for the Museum, and I am grateful to our staff, Board, donors, members, artists, partners, and community who make this work possible. Having had the opportunity to work with Jason since 2007, I am especially excited to continue building on our shared commitment to Armenia and to the growth and impact of this remarkable institution.”

Hayes brings to the Museum a longstanding personal and professional commitment to Armenia, Armenian culture, environmental stewardship, and the nonprofit sector. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Armenia from 2005–2007, where she worked as an environmental education volunteer.

She holds a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Studio Art from Eastern Connecticut State University. Her background in environmental education, nonprofit leadership, the arts, and Armenian cultural engagement has informed her work at the Museum and her commitment to connecting Armenian heritage with broader audiences.

Hayes lives in Connecticut with her daughter and their two dogs. She remains deeply connected to Armenia and to the Armenian-American community, bringing to her work both professional expertise and a personal commitment to preserving and celebrating Armenian culture.

We are pleased to announce an evening of conversation with bestselling novelist Chris Bohjalian and acclaimed author Nancy Kricorian in celebration of the launch of Bohjalian's highly anticipated new novel, The Amateur.

The event will take place on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 7:00 pm at the Armenian Museum of America in Watertown. Bohjalian and Kricorian will engage in a thought-provoking discussion exploring literature, history, storytelling, and the creative process.

Recently named a New York Times Book Review “Novel Everyone Will Be Talking About in 2026” and an Oprah Daily Best Book of Summer 2026, The Amateur has already garnered widespread critical acclaim.

Set in 1978, The Amateur follows Mira, a teenage golf prodigy whose life is irrevocably altered after a tragic accident on a golf course. What begins as a devastating moment unfolds into a compelling story of heartbreak, resilience, class divisions, hidden secrets, and the far-reaching consequences of a single event. Combining literary suspense, coming-of-age storytelling, and courtroom drama, The Amateur has been hailed as one of the most anticipated novels of the year.

Publishers Weekly, in a starred review, called the novel “a masterpiece,” while Kirkus Reviews praised it as “irresistible” and “a perfect novel.” Library Journal described it as “an engrossing read that will offer much discussion for book clubs,” and bestselling author Clare Leslie Hall called it “a joyous novel with an unforgettable narrator who will break your heart.”

Chris Bohjalian is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 25 books, including The Flight Attendant, The Sandcastle Girls, Hour of the Witch, and The Lioness. His novels have been translated into more than 30 languages and have earned numerous literary awards and distinctions. Known for his meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Bohjalian frequently explores themes of history, identity, justice, and human resilience.

Joining him in conversation will be Nancy Kricorian, an acclaimed novelist, essayist, and educator whose work examines the Armenian Diaspora, memory, displacement, and intergenerational storytelling. She is the author of Zabelle, Dreams of Bread and Fire, All the Light There Was, and The Burning Heart of the World. A respected voice in Armenian-American literature, Kricorian has taught at institutions including Columbia University and has been recognized for her significant contributions to contemporary Armenian literature and culture.

“This special evening brings together two extraordinary literary voices whose work explores themes of identity, history, memory, and the human experience,” said Executive Director Jason Sohigian. “We are delighted to welcome Chris Bohjalian back to the Museum for the Boston area launch of his 26th novel!”

This is a ticketed event and space is limited. Tickets are $35 for current museum members and $50 for non-members, and both tiers include a signed hardcover copy of The Amateur.

For tickets and additional information, contact the Museum at (617) 926-2562 x102 or visit www.armenianmuseum.org/rsvp.

The Armenian Museum of America is proud to present Father, a deeply personal and visually compelling project by internationally acclaimed artist Diana Markosian. This exhibition marks the U.S. debut of the work, offering an intimate exploration of family, memory, and identity.