Nora Hovsepian, Natalie Samarjian Among Recipients of L.A. ‘Women of Impact’ Awards
Community advocates and leaders, Nora Hovsepian and Natalie Samarjian were among the recipients of “Women of Impact” award bestowed to them by the City of Los Angeles Commission on the Status of Women during a ceremony on Friday.
The ceremony marked the 50th anniversary of the Commission on the Status of Women and the 36th time the “Women of Impact” awards were handed out.
Hovsepian has spent her adult life advocating for justice and volunteering her time serving the community.
Professionally, she has been an attorney at law for over three decades specializing in representing victims of medical malpractice and seeking accountability when the healthcare system has failed them. She is in private practice in Encino.
As the granddaughter of four survivors of the Armenian Genocide, Hovsepian has dedicated herself to seeking justice for the Armenian People and ensuring that the Armenian-American community’s interests are protected and promoted.
She recently completed multiple terms as Chair of the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region, having served on its Board since 2011 and representing the organization in the halls of government, in the media, and in developing coalitions with other racial and ethnic advocacy groups to advance common causes and human rights. Amongst many successful projects during her tenure was the HyeVotes initiative which served to educate the community on the importance of electoral participation, registering over 50,000 newly naturalized citizens to vote.
In 2015, Hovsepian was honored for her leadership and advocacy in the state capital by the California State Assembly as one of its 80 statewide Women of the Year.
In 2022, Hovsepian was appointed to serve on the newly elected Los Angeles Mayor’s transition team.
Having spent countless hours in the halls of justice both in Sacramento and Washington, Hovsepian has worked tirelessly on a bipartisan basis for many years to advocate for human rights and to promote civic engagement by under-represented segments of society.
She is married and has one daughter.
Samarjian is the President and CEO of Coro California, whose mission is to strengthen the democratic process by preparing individuals for effective and ethical leadership. Under her leadership, Coro has developed a new strategic plan, expanded programs, partnerships, and revenue, and cultivated a growing community of Coro alumni who are transforming communities across the country.
Samarjian went to Coro California from the California Women’s Law Center, where she worked to address the comprehensive and unique legal needs of women and girls through impact litigation, public policy advocacy and legal education.
Prior to CWLC, Samarjian was staff attorney and Dickran Tevrizian Fellow at Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, where she provided individual representation to victims of domestic violence, supported impact litigation, engaged in public policy advocacy, and conducted extensive community outreach and legal education.
Samarjian earned her Juris Doctorate from UCLA School of Law, her Master of Science at the Heinz School of Public Policy & Management at Carnegie Mellon University, and her Bachelor of Arts UCLA.
Samarjian is an alumnus of the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs and Emerge California, and was a recipient of the Empowerment Congress’ Emerging Civic Leaders 40 Under 40 award and a recipient of LA Impact- Makers to Watch award. Natalie serves on the boards of Public Counsel, Haynes Foundation and the UCLA Alumni Association
