GLENDALE, California — Naz Atikian Bashkijian is a beacon of philanthropic and entrepreneurial success, whose impact resonates across numerous organizations, including the American University of Armenia (AUA). As an accomplished female entrepreneur, Atikian has made it her mission to give back to the community, and in doing so, she continues to empower countless lives from Armenia to the United States.
A symbol of inspiration, Atikian was born in Yerevan, Armenia. Her father, Bogos Atikian, from Kessab, Syria, and her mother, Iskuhi Varouzian Atikian, from Musaler, Turkey, moved to Yerevan in 1947, where they settled and grew their family with the birth of Atikian and, shortly after, her twin brother and sister, Avetis Mike Atikian and Dee Atikian Chorlian.
Atikian grew up in Armenia before moving to Beirut, Lebanon and eventually emigrating to the United States in 1975. Laying roots in Los Angeles, she attended Glendale Community College before transferring to California State University, Northridge, from which she graduated with a degree in accounting. Though she entered the workforce as an accountant at a private aircraft manufacturing company, where she spent seven years, her true passion was design.
In 1984, Atikian married her husband, and together, they opened a fine jewelry business. The business flourished and expanded to multiple locations until the tragic Northridge earthquake, which struck a major blow to their venture. In 1995, after separating from her husband, Atikian set out to independently take on a new entrepreneurial jewelry endeavor: Designs by Naz.
The business opened in Sherman Oaks and later moved to Universal City for 11 years, before finally settling in its current location in the heart of downtown Glendale. With its growth, Atikian pivoted to expand the business’ offerings to include gifts and homeware, in addition to her successful jewelry line. Soon, the business name evolved to Le Papillon by Naz.
As an entrepreneur of over four decades, Atikian offers the following advice: “To be successful, you have to work very hard. In business, every day is a new opportunity with a blank slate. It is crucial to tackle each day with novel ideas that lead to fresh projects,” adding that it is of utmost importance to constantly reinvent oneself and one’s business in order to stay relevant and up to date with trends, especially in the design industry. Looking forward to the new age of technology and design, Atikian admits that though design has changed and become more modern, bringing with it ease of managing, designing, and creating, one constant nevertheless remains: “Everything still begins as an idea in the human mind.”
With her extensive professional successes, Atikian has always remained true to what matters most: family, charity, and causes that benefit children around the world. “I have dedicated my life to children. They are the single most important part of this world and our collective future. This is how I first became involved in philanthropy,” she comments. A symbol of this in her personal life are her three nephews: Berj and Michael Cholian and Paul Atikian. “My nephews bring me so much joy. They make me proud, and they symbolize everything that is good in this life.”
When asked how she first got involved with AUA, Atikian explains that she has always placed great importance on education. She recalls attending an Armenian International Women’s Association conference in 2017 that was hosted on the University campus. It was then that she was first introduced to Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian, AUA co-founder and president emeritus. The conversation and the experience overall left such an impact on her that she decided to become more involved with the University. An AUA Scholarship Program supporter, Atikian joined the event committee for the AUA 30th Anniversary celebration, which she also sponsored, in support of the Build A Better Future With AUA capital campaign.
In December 2022, Atikian partnered with the AUA Office of Development to host a holiday shopping event at her store, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the University. More recently, she also joined the exclusive group of 200 Changemakers of AUA. “I want to see the University build and develop, and this initiative will be very important for the future of Armenia, which is why it is critical to support the campaign,” she says. Traveling multiple times a year to Armenia, she is very involved with her homeland and the community, acknowledging the crucial role research will play in the development of the country. “Education is very important, and it’s a sense of pride to have AUA in the country, preparing our young students to become global citizens,” she adds.
As a philanthropist, Atikian has been involved in myriad organizations and initiatives, including the Armenian Relief Society, Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry, Armenian American Medical Society, Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, American Heart Association, National Alzheimer’s Association, and UNICEF, among others. In 2017, the ANCA Glendale chapter honored her with the Golden Heart award.
In 2014, she also established the Family Rescue Fund, an organization that helps improve quality of life in Armenia and the U.S. by supporting underprivileged families through health, social, and educational programs. As the Fund’s founder and president, she proudly explains the work they have done to benefit numerous causes, including the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the Soldier’s Home Rehabilitation Center in Yerevan (Zinvori Tun), the Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Armenia, the Pediatric Department of the Nork-Marash Medical Center, the Gyumri Orphanage, and individuals and veterans throughout the regions of Armenia.
On July 10, 2024, Atikian visited AUA and met with her scholarship recipients, Nare Ohanjanyan (BAPG ’27) and Tigran Manukyan (BAB ’27).
Ohanjanyan expressed her gratitude for her benefactor’s support: “It is a great honor to receive the Naz Atikian Scholarship, which helps me obtain a quality education and build my future career path. I enjoy my classes in international politics and human rights, development policy, and political inquiry, and I am sure that the education I receive at AUA will help me become an excellent specialist in this field.”
Manukyan shared: “I am grateful for the opportunity to be granted a scholarship and pursue my studies. I thank Ms. Naz Atikian for supporting me in reaching my personal and professional potential. As a recently demobilized soldier, I was confident in my goals for the future when I returned to university: to be professional in everything I did. You can never know what life has in store for you, but excelling in whatever you do is the key to taking advantage of every opportunity you receive in life. It was a truly meaningful experience to meet and express my gratitude to Ms. Atikian, who makes a profound difference in my life, the life of my fellow students, and the veterans of Armenia. It was a reminder of the power of kindness, inspiring me to act similarly when given the chance.”
An inspiring figure to many, Atikian’s dedication to the numerous charitable organizations she supports has not only impacted countless lives, but also propelled a plethora of initiatives and institutions, from Armenia to the U.S., to new heights. “Everything I do, I do for children. I want them to have a bright future, become great leaders, and contribute to a stronger Armenia,” she concludes.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. AUA’s Office of Development stewards the University’s philanthropic efforts exclusively for educational purposes.