Armen Ovanessoff
Principal Director, Accenture
Goriz is a signature AGBU leadership development program based in Europe that identifies driven professionals of Armenian descent and helps them optimize their leadership and communications skills among their international peers.
Modeled after the best practices of world-class leadership training methods, Goriz offers each annual cohort masterclasses with world-renowned speakers, in addition to workshops, peer-to-peer exchanges, and networking opportunities. After these intensive trainings, alumni are encouraged to apply their learning to projects in the Republic of Armenia.
As global Armenians, Goriz alumni have the opportunity to apply their real-world experience to initiatives designed to boost the socio-economic development of the Republic of Armenia. In other instances, they can serve as ambassadors to raise awareness in their own countries of urgent issues and causes taking place in the homeland.
One example is YERIA (Youth of Europe for the Recognition of Artsakh), a new initiative established during the 2020 Artsakh War. A delegation of Goriz alumni, along with journalists and public figures, traveled to Armenia and Artsakh to observe humanitarian and political realities on the ground and report their observations and findings to their local governments and media.
Applications for the program are currently closed. The dates for the 2026 session will be announced soon.
Goriz
Each cohort meets for a mandatory 2-day gathering every year in a different location in Europe.
Sessions include an array of activities:
Through Goriz, participants gain meaning in their leadership style, uncover inherent strengths and develop strategies to actively using them toward a common cause.
Goriz : Extended
Goriz: Extended is a unique event designed to cultivate connections between program alumni and future participants and develop their personal and professional journeys. The program includes inspiring conferences exploring topics such as Armenian identity, management, and leadership, as well as networking events. Whether you want to deepen your knowledge, expand your network, or simply reconnect with a community that shares your ambitions, Goriz: Extended is the perfect opportunity to continue building the future together.
The GORIZ network of alumni hail from diverse professional backgrounds and to date, include people from Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, The Netherlands, Italy, Romania, Russia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Goriz participants gain insights from diverse thought leaders representing an array of professional backgrounds, but with one common goal: to drive the prosperity of the Armenian nation.
Principal Director, Accenture
Chairman of the Board of the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Former Director at McKinsey Belgium
CEO and Founder, Orion Worldwide Innovations
Adjunct Lecturer of Management and Governor of the Central Bank of Armenia
Managing Partner, BSC Business Support Center
Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company
Senior Director, Harvard Business School
Social Entrepreneur and Founder of the Aurora Prize
Head Human Resources at VivaCell-MTS, Former Adjunct Lecturer at the American University of Armenia
Director General, Civil Aviation Committee for the Republic of Armenia
Partner and Director, CGI Group Inc
Former Executive, Shell
English-speaking adults of Armenian descent worldwide, ages 27 to 45 years old.
Eligible profiles :
AGBU Goriz applications are currently closed. The dates for the 2026 session will be announced soon.
Participants are responsible for covering the cost for accommodation and travel. AGBU provides lunch during the entire stay.
Participation fees will also be charged.
For more information on your eligibility, please contact administratif@agbu.org.