Armenian Museum of America Strengthens Leadership Team with Appointment of Sarah Hayes as Deputy Director

WATERTOWN, MA–The Armenian Museum of America (AMoA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Hayes as Deputy Director, expanding her leadership role at the Museum and positioning her to support the institution’s continued growth, strategic development, and national visibility.

Hayes has served as Director of Development since 2023, leading membership, grant management, donor relations, corporate and foundation partnerships, and events. In her new role, she will retain leadership of the Museum’s development program while taking on broader responsibilities across the institution.

As Deputy Director, Hayes will work closely with Board President Michele M. Kolligian, Executive Director Jason Sohigian, the Board of Trustees, staff, volunteers, donors, members, and community partners to advance the Museum’s mission and strengthen its financial and organizational sustainability. She will provide leadership and coordination across exhibitions, programs, communications, facilities, visitor experience, and administrative functions, helping ensure that the Museum’s activities are aligned with its strategic priorities.

“Sarah has been an extraordinary leader and advocate for the Museum,” said Michele M. Kolligian, President of the Board of Trustees. “Her vision, energy, relationships, and deep commitment to our mission have made an enormous impact on the institution. We are thrilled to expand her leadership role as Deputy Director and look forward to all that we will accomplish together.”

During her tenure as Director of Development, Hayes has strengthened the Museum’s fundraising and membership programs, expanded foundation and institutional partnerships, and pursued significant grant opportunities to support exhibitions, programming, and capital improvements. Her efforts have contributed to membership growth, including expanded outreach through direct mail and email campaigns, and have helped establish a stronger foundation for the Museum’s long-term sustainability. Her work supports an ambitious program of exhibitions, cultural programming, educational initiatives, and institutional growth. Hayes has also played an important role in securing significant loans of artwork and cultivating relationships with leading museums, cultural institutions, and private collectors for the Museum’s landmark Arshile Gorky exhibition, helping bring works by Gorky to the AMoA from respected institutions and private collections.

“I am honored to take on this new role,” said Sarah Hayes. “The past several years have been an exciting period of growth for the Museum, and I am grateful to our staff, Board, donors, members, artists, partners, and community whose dedication makes this work possible. I look forward to building on this momentum to expand the reach, impact, and vitality of this remarkable institution.”

Hayes brings to the Museum a longstanding personal and professional commitment to Armenia, Armenian culture, environmental stewardship, and the nonprofit sector. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Armenia from 2005 to 2007. Following her Peace Corps service, she served as West Coast Operations Manager for the Armenia Tree Project in Los Angeles before joining the AMoA. She holds a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Studio Art from Eastern Connecticut State University. Her background in environmental education, nonprofit leadership, the arts, and Armenian cultural engagement has informed her work at the Museum and her commitment to connecting Armenian heritage with broader audiences.

Hayes lives in Connecticut with her daughter and their two dogs. She remains connected to the Armenian community, bringing to her work both professional expertise and a personal commitment to preserving and celebrating Armenian culture.