Lusine Zakalashvili is the Vice President of Open Borders Institute of Peace, Democracy and Development. With a strong foundation in linguistics, gender advocacy, and civil society engagement, she plays a key role in advancing the organization’s mission across program development, strategic communication, and empowerment-focused initiatives.

Lusine holds a Master’s degree in English Language and Pedagogy from Yerevan State University, and is a certified professional translator, interpreter, and multilingual communication expert. She leads interpreting teams and delivers corporate English training, particularly for Armenia’s growing IT sector.

Deeply committed to the advancement of women and youth, Lusine is actively involved in public discourse, regularly representing Open Borders in conferences, civil society consultations, and international forums. She brings both linguistic precision and policy passion to her advocacy — especially in areas related to peacebuilding, gender equality, and the elimination of gender-based violence.

Currently pursuing a second Master’s degree in Psychology, she is expanding her understanding of trauma and recovery to design more effective, survivor-centered support programs.

Lusine is also a strong believer in market liberalization, inclusive development, and the transformative power of education.