Lyusyena Kirakosyan

Strategic Impact: Spearheaded longitudinal research focused on disability studies and nonprofit governance, translating theoretical frameworks into actionable policy insights. Research Leadership: Currently leading a collaborative team of 5 (Virginia Tech & Al al-bayt University, Jordan) on challenges faced by, and opportunities available to, Syrian refugees with disabilities in Jordan. Editorial Leadership: Co-edited 3 scholarly books, overseeing the end-to-end intellectual and administrative lifecycle to final publication. Publication Management: Directed the end-to-end lifecycle for 4 scholarly volumes, including 2 bilingual editions (English/Portuguese and English/Georgian); coordinated multidisciplinary teams of authors, editors, and translators to ensure conceptual consistency, timely delivery and scholarly rigor. Grant & IRB Management: Directed the administrative and intellectual lifecycle of research initiatives. Global Credibility: ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0965-7688 | Web of Science ResearcherID: L-2483-2019

Global Portfolio Management: Directed a high-volume portfolio of 80–90 international students annually, achieving consistent placement in global top-tier undergraduate and graduate programs; provided high-touch mentorship for long-term academic and career success. Methodology: Created a proprietary approach for research mentorship, bridging the gap between student evidence-based writing and university-level rigor. Strategic Partnerships: Expanded advisory reach through collaborative roles with premier admissions consultancies in Singapore and Brazil, delivering remote strategy for diverse global markets.

Strategic Outreach & Advocacy (AbbVie Foundation): Acted as the primary liaison for Hepatitis C patient advocacy in Brazil, bridging the gap between global corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals and local NGO needs. ​Specialized Inclusion Strategy (Mais Diferenças): Provided expert consultancy on disability inclusion and accessibility frameworks, leveraging research in disability studies to drive systemic programmatic change. ​Multicultural Communication: Directed communication strategies and stakeholder engagement across diverse cultural and institutional landscapes, ensuring policy alignment between international donors and local executors.

Pedagogical Leadership: Designed and delivered curriculum for Comparative Politics, World Politics & Global Economy, and Latin American Politics courses. Pedagogical Scale: Led and instructed cohorts of 30–40 students per course, fostering critical engagement and scholarly independence.

Operational Oversight: Directed the administrative and financial health of the institute, ensuring seamless support for sustainable consumption advocacy programs. ​Fiscal Responsibility: Managed organizational budgets and financial reporting, maintaining the high level of transparency required for a prominent Brazilian NGO. ​Systems Improvement: Optimized internal workflows to bridge the gap between financial constraints and programmatic goals.

Financial and Administrative Director (2006 – 2008) Project and Grant Manager (2004 – 2006) Executive Oversight: Directed an interdisciplinary team of 30+ professionals in a leading disability rights NGO, managing the financial and administrative architecture of large-scale social inclusion initiatives. Financial Rigor: Oversaw multi-year grant budgets and project timelines, maintaining rigorous accountability to international donors and stakeholders.

International Development: Facilitated the disbursement and oversight of World Bank-funded small & medium business loans, ensuring rigorous compliance with international financial standards. ​Economic Analysis: Evaluated project viability and fiscal risk for diverse entrepreneurial ventures within a global development framework.