The Rev. Victor H. Kazanjian, Jr. to Retire as Executive Director of URI

The Rev.Victor H. Kazanjian, Jr. to Retires

The Rev. Victor H. Kazanjian has informed the URI Global Council that he will be retiring from his position of URI Executive Director in the Spring of 2021. An author, educator, grassroots activist and recognized thought-leader, Victor served as URI’s Executive Director for just over seven years.

In his announcement to the Global Council of Trustees, Victor wrote:

“After more than three decades of institutional leadership, my wife Michelle and I have decided that it is the right time to launch the next part of our lives. To be a part of URI’s global grassroots peacebuilding movement has been the culmination of a life of service in institutions and movements whose missions are rooted in creating positive change in the lives of individuals and diverse communities. I have been particularly blessed by walking this path towards peace, justice and healing with each member of the URI community. My heart is full from the journey that we have lived together.”

During his tenure as Executive Director, Victor has overseen the transition from URI’s founding chapter to its second chapter, nurturing URI as a growing grassroots movement dedicated to peace, justice and healing with increased growth, expanded capacity, greater visibility and long-term financial sustainability to take on the challenges in our world.

After retiring from URI in the Spring, Victor will begin a practice as an organizational consultant and leadership coach, and spend time teaching and writing. His wife Michelle is poised to begin her new career as a yoga instructor, healing arts practitioner and life coach. They will be moving to Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA in mid-December where Victor will continue to work remotely for URI until the time of his retirement.

In the summer of 2021, Victor and Michelle will also begin serving together as Fellows at the Bartos Institute for the Constructive Engagement of Conflict at the United World College in New Mexico, teaching a course called Seeking Peace: Within and Without.

Words from URI Leadership

The role of Executive Director of an international, interfaith, intercultural organization is relatively new on the global stage. In this emerging field, Victor Kazanjian’s work with URI clearly stands out as a model of energy, comprehensiveness and effectiveness.

URI is grateful to him for sharing his life and manifold gifts with us for more than seven years, and we wish him well in his new endeavors.”

The Rt. Rev. William E. Swing

URI President and Founding Trustee