My name is Hayk Gndlyan and I am a 29 year old leader of Irkutsk’s Armenian community. 

I was born in the city of Etchmiadzin in Armenia, and since 1999 have been living in the Russian Federation. In 2015, I graduated from the Irkutsk State University’s Siberian-American Faculty, with a “Top Manager” specialization. In the same year I also graduated from the University of Maryland (USA) with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management. 

From the age of 21, I have been operating my own business: the GM Group of companies, which includes 7 organizations from the design, construction, engineering, and IT sectors, with around 500 positions. In 2021, I was awarded the “Construction Glory” honorary state badge. 

In 2017, I was elected as a member of the Irkutsk Armenian Cultural Society. 

In 2022, I was unanimously elected as President of the Irkutsk Armenian Cultural Society. I ushered in a new era for our community, switching to a systemic mode of operation with completely new capabilities and expanded functionalities. I represent the interests of our community’s Armenian people with honor and dignity.

As a Diaspora Youth Ambassador, I plan on implementing not only the programs of the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, but also my own initiatives.