In this episode of the Accentuate! Podcast, Rhonda Gardner sits down with Dr. Armine Arustamyan to explore what it really means to navigate life across cultures without losing yourself in the process. From her early years in Armenia to building a meaningful career in the U.S., Armine reflects on migration not as a single moment of arrival, but as an ongoing journey of adaptation, discernment, and values-driven decision-making.
This conversation is for anyone who has crossed borders — geographically, culturally, or professionally. Whether you’re a graduate student, early-career professional, or seasoned leader, Armine’s insights remind us that success isn’t found in chasing temporary markers of approval, but in staying anchored to what matters most: purpose, people, and integrity. It’s a timely reflection on belonging, inclusion, and the quiet strength it takes to remain grounded while building a life in a new context.
Transcript: Accentuate! Podcast
Host: Rhonda Gardner
Guest: Armine Arustamyan, Chief Financial Officer at EcoHealth Alliance at the time of the interview
This transcript has been lightly edited for readability. Roles and recognitions reflect the time of the interview.
From physics to nonprofit finance
Rhonda: Hello, everyone. This is the Accentuate! Podcast, amplifying the voices of immigrants and refugees for success in the workplace. I’m Rhonda Gardner, an immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago living in the US. With me today is a former colleague who was recently recognized as one of the top 25 CFOs in New Jersey. Armine, congratulations and welcome.
Can you introduce yourself, tell us where you came from, and share what led you to the US?
Armine: Thank you, Rhonda, for having me. It’s really nice to see you after all these years. My name is Armine Arustamyan I was born and raised in Soviet Armenia.
When I was 20 or 21, the USSR collapsed and Armenia became independent. I was a physics student at Yerevan State University. I pictured myself as a scientist or working in academia and research. I had this interesting plan for my life.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, things changed completely for Armenia. Physics and science in general were less affordable and were no longer as much of a priority for the government. I had to look at different career paths.
I graduated in 1992 with a master’s degree in physics. I did some tutoring and other things to make ends meet, then got into the American University of Armenia. The idea was to help guide Armenia through the transition and develop professionals who could help build the country in this new reality. I was very happy to get in and met some very interesting people.
I got my engineering degree but, ironically, landed a job in finance and fell in love with it. Since then, I’ve worked in finance for nonprofits. I always joke that I get to help people and make a difference in their lives, and I get paid to do it. I wouldn’t trade that.
I was working at UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, which you know well. I transferred to headquarters, landed my first job in the US, and that was my employment-based immigration path. The same year, I got into a PhD programme at the University of Alabama. I had to choose between working and going back to school. Continuing at UMCOR was more appealing at the time, and being in Washington, DC, was a dream for me. That’s how I came to the US.
Leading finance and receiving recognition
Rhonda: I didn’t know all that about you. We worked together, and HR and finance partnered at different times, but I didn’t know all the details. Tell us what you do now and about the recognition you received.
Armine: I work as Chief Financial Officer for EcoHealth Alliance. It’s a global research organisation that conducts research to help prevent the next pandemic. We do ecology-related work, and I’m surrounded by talented people, many with PhDs, who are passionate about their science and making a difference in the world.
The recognition was funny. The magazine approached me and said, “We want to name you one of the top 25 CFOs. Do you mind?” I said, “I don’t mind as long as it doesn’t take any time, because I’m very busy.” They said they just needed my permission. After 25 years of working and giving my work 100%, it was a nice surprise. The cherry on top.
Then another publication, International Business Magazine, approached me about a feature on ten CFOs to watch in 2024 by Finance & Investing/Top CFOs. Again, I said I didn’t have much time. It should come out soon, and I’m looking forward to it. I don’t do anything special to get recognized. I work for an organization that’s well known, and I give 100% to what I do.
Adjusting to a new culture
Rhonda: Migrating to another country means acclimatising to a different culture. What steps did you take to adjust to the US, and where did you face challenges?
Armine: I was born and raised in Armenia, where the vast majority of people were Armenian. I wasn’t surrounded by many nationalities and didn’t meet many people from other countries growing up.
One thing my parents did, and I’m very thankful for it, was instil in me that you treat people equally, love people, and respect them. We didn’t even talk about whether people were from different nationalities or backgrounds. It was about carrying those values and treating people the way you would want them to treat you.
I came here and was overwhelmed in a good way. In one small place I could meet people from everywhere and be exposed to so many cultures. My mind was blown away. It was beautiful and interesting.
It came with challenges too. Sometimes you don’t know whether something is appropriate or politically correct. I had to adjust how I expressed myself. The values I carried helped me a great deal: love the people around you, respect them, and value them for what they contribute.
Rhonda: What advice would you give someone migrating to the US in 2024, whether from Europe or elsewhere?
Armine: People in Armenia and elsewhere ask me what they need to know. I tell them to be ready for challenges and hard work. You need to give 100% and work hard to succeed.
There’s luck too. There’s a green card lottery, and some people come here that way. But you have to be ready for challenges in and outside work. Be ready to meet different people and to be tolerant of different values. This is a great country. If you work hard and love the people around you, you can be successful.
Learning from her children
Rhonda: You’re a mum. Sometimes children acclimatize more easily than adults. What have you learned from your children as they’ve grown up with experiences different from yours?
Armine: I learn from them and continue to learn from them. I’m thankful we’re close and can share things. I carried forward the values my parents taught me about respecting and loving people around me. I taught my kids that everyone should have a chance to be loved and accepted.
My kids are wonderful. I’m thankful for who they are, and I learn from them daily. My daughter was here the other day, and we were talking about a movie or the Oscars. I thought, “They’re so smart, and they see things.” I don’t know if being raised in an immigrant family gave them a different perspective or if they’re simply kind people. It’s hard to say. We’re very close, and we keep learning from each other.
What inclusion looks like at work
Rhonda: Organizations have talked more about diversity, equity, and inclusion, especially since the pandemic. It’s possible to bring together people who look, sound, or think differently and come from different backgrounds. What does inclusion itself look like for immigrants?
Armine: I worked in an organisation with a very diverse community. We had people from different countries, of different colours, with various accents. My name was pronounced so many different ways. Yet it was the least inclusive environment I worked in. Diversity doesn’t automatically become inclusion. Inclusion is a bigger process.
I worked in an organisation where, 20 years ago, inclusion and diversity were written into our core values, even though people didn’t talk about them as much as they do now. Management was committed to them. On committees, we had people from operations and programmes, from executives to support staff. People at all levels came together to discuss the organisation’s values, the business plan, or initiatives we needed to implement.
I also try to help employees connect their work and accomplishments to the larger mission. Even photocopying materials we need ties into the bigger picture. That way, everyone who comes to work can see how their role, whether it’s reception or something else, contributes to the mission.
We have a DE&I committee. As CFO and head of HR, I could tell people how to do it. Instead, we ask the committee, “Tell us what inclusion looks like in your eyes. What kind of diversity do you want? Tell management what you think we need for a more diverse and inclusive environment.”
Addressing inequalities starts the process of moving toward equality. We gave staff members the opportunity to rotate onto the committee through a lottery. Participation was a right and a responsibility. It was a hit. People got excited, and we got a lot of great ideas.
What employees wanted leaders to explain
Rhonda: I love that the employees are driving it. Did anything stand out or surprise you about what they wanted or what inclusion meant to them?
Armine: It wasn’t a complete surprise. I started at a junior level and worked my way up, so I’d experienced many of the things they were referring to. One thing that mattered was transparency and open communication.
The executive team thought some of our processes were straightforward and that we were doing the right thing. Staff outside management weren’t as familiar with them and didn’t understand the reasons behind them. They brought up transparency about salaries and the review process.
We thought we were doing the right thing, but it mattered to hear from them. Giving people an opportunity to get together and speak means you also have to be open to criticism and willing to address what they bring up. We might think we’re already doing something, then discover it isn’t as clear as we thought. Receiving feedback and reflecting on it is important.
Most of it was about compensation and evaluations. I think of myself as the most secretive person in the organisation because, as CFO, I’m charged with protecting the finances. But we could explain some things more clearly without disclosing everything. We worked on that. It helped to know what others thought about our processes and where we could be more transparent.
Rhonda: Sometimes it’s a small thing, like being more transparent, that makes a huge difference to how people feel in the organisation.
Armine: Even acknowledging the problem and looking at how to correct it is important. People aren’t looking for an immediate solution to everything. They want to be heard. There were things that made us say, “Is that true?” And yes, it was true. It came from the people experiencing it.
Choosing what matters to you
Rhonda: You’ve talked about what your parents taught you about loving and respecting people, and about working for opportunities in the US. Are there other important lessons you’d share? Is there a high point or a low point in your journey that taught you something others might benefit from?
Armine: The opportunities are there, but assess what you want and what will make you happy. Having a lot of things won’t necessarily make you happy. Having the right things for you is what matters.
With social media, there’s so much emphasis on material things. Do you really need it all? Trying to get it all can wear you down. Think about what’s valuable to you personally.
I keep telling my kids to find something they enjoy doing and find people they want around them. Hold on to what’s dear to you and to the people around you.
Rhonda: Thank you for your time. It’s been several years since I’ve seen you, so it’s good to see you again. Thank you for taking the time to chat with me.
Armine: Thank you so much. It was a lot of fun chatting with you. Thank you for making it easy to speak about personal things and professional experiences.
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Connect with Dr. Armine Arustamyan on LinkedIn.
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