Renowned Physician, Producer, Entrepreneur and Human Rights Advocate
to Help Steward Aurora in Its Next Chapter
YEREVAN, September 30, 2024 – The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative today announced that Dr. Eric Esrailian has joined the organization as Co-Founder. Dr. Esrailian is a distinguished physician, Emmy-nominated film producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. As an Aurora Board member and the Co-Chair of the 2024 Aurora Prize events in Los Angeles, Dr. Esrailian will bring his influence and leadership expertise across various domains including academia, industry, philanthropy, and human rights advocacy to this new role, helping to steward the organization toward its 10th anniversary year and beyond.
“When Ruben Vardanyan, the late Vartan Gregorian and I co-founded Aurora in 2015, in honor and deep gratitude for those who risked their lives to save our Armenian ancestors, we envisioned it as an eight-year initiative, marking the centennial of the eight years of the Armenian Genocide,” said Noubar Afeyan, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Chair of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative. “In response to ever-growing and compounding humanitarian crises around the world, and the tangible impact of Aurora, we have now decided to extended Aurora’s work for decades to come.”
Afeyan continued, “Eric has been an active and integral contributor to Aurora, not only as a Board member, but also as Co-Chair of the 2024 Aurora Prize Ceremony. I am delighted he has agreed to expand his role as Co-Founder, to help steward the organization to reach its full potential in this important next chapter. Together, we will embark on a meaningful journey ahead as Aurora continues to put gratitude into action, giving hope and support to millions of people around the world.”
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As Aurora approaches its tenth anniversary year in 2025, it has already changed the lives of almost 3.4 million people across 56 countries and territories, deploying funding toward 430 projects that support emergency response, food, water, education, medical care, psychosocial support and more for underserved communities. The Initiative’s next chapter will build on its progress to date to bring the core message of Gratitude in Action to the global community, further elevating the impact of Aurora Humanitarians.
“In the midst of multiple global crises, I am humbled by the selflessness of individual humanitarians working in all corners of the world, and the outsized impact one person can have on humanity,” said Dr. Esrailian. “I am honored to take on this role with Aurora, alongside my dear friend Noubar Afeyan, to shine a spotlight on those risking their lives to help others, and to expand the movement of humanitarians during this time of immense need.”
On September 30, 2024, with Doctors Esrailian and Afeyan in attendance, the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative will unveil the Memorial to Aurora Mardiganian and the Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide in Yerevan, Armenia, near the Komitas Museum-Institute. This monument honors the enduring legacy of Aurora Mardiganian, whose courage and story inspired the founders of the Initiative. In addition, the Memorial pays tribute to the 1.5 million martyrs who perished during the Armenian Genocide. The unveiling will be followed by a special screening of the award-winning animated documentary Aurora’s Sunrise, co-produced by Dr. Esrailian, which brings Mardiganian’s extraordinary journey to the screen.
About Dr. Eric Esrailian
Dr. Eric Esrailian is a Health Sciences Clinical Professor of Medicine and the chief of the Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). In 2012, the School of Medicine awarded Dr. Esrailian the Lincy Foundation Chair in Clinical Gastroenterology. Dr. Esrailian is closely involved in strategic planning efforts for UCLA Health, the David Geffen School of Medicine and the entire university — including as a co-chair for UCLA’s Second Century Council for its most prominent volunteer leaders.
Dr. Esrailian is part of the leadership of several philanthropic organizations including, but not limited to, the Board of Directors of the Hammer Museum, XPRIZE, the Armenian General Benevolent Union, the Academy Museum, the Clooney Foundation for Justice, and the Motion Picture & Television Fund.
Dr. Esrailian is a producer of “The Promise” and the educational companion documentary, “Intent to Destroy,” which was nominated for an Outstanding Historical Documentary Emmy. These films, and the accompanying social impact campaigns, drew unprecedented attention to the Armenian Genocide, contributed to the U.S. government recognition of the historical facts, and led to the creation of The Promise Institute for Human Rights and The Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA.
In 2017, the university designated Dr. Esrailian a UCLA Optimist– among its notable alumni and faculty dedicated to solving the world’s problems. In 2021 he was honored by Pope Francis at the Vatican with the Benemerenti Medal for his humanitarian activities around the world.
About the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative
The Aurora Humanitarian Initiative seeks to address on-the-ground humanitarian challenges around the world with a focus on helping the most destitute. Uniquely dedicated to discovering and supporting the world’s unsung humanitarian heroes to enable and raise awareness of their courageous work, Aurora has made a significant impact on the lives of those in greatest need. To date, Aurora has initiated and supported 430 projects in 56 countries and territories, benefiting about 3.4 million people. For more information, visit www.auroraprize.com.
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