Board of Directors: Mrs. Marta Batmasiann

Marta Batmasian, who was the valedictorian of Esayan High School, received her bachelor's degree in English and comparative literature. She attended Robert College in Istanbul, Turkey (a branch of Columbia University) during which she received the Gulbenkain Academic Achievement Award (Lisbon, Portugal) and the Hagopian Scholarship Award for highest academic achievement for two years. She then continued her studies at Leiden University in Holland , and Emerson College in Boston, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She completed joint master's and doctoral programs at Brandeis University (where she earned its High Scholastic Award) and received an MBA from Barry University. After graduating from Brandeis University , Marta became superintendent of the Sahag Mesrob Armenian School in Watertown , Massachusetts, and was a full-time professor at the University of Massachusetts for eight years. She also owned and operated Mar-Tel Travel, Insurance, and Real Estate in Cambridge, Massachusetts, prior to her move to Florida. "Jim and Marta" is a well-known phrase in South Florida philanthropy. Like their company, Jim and Marta Batmasian have become a cornerstone of the community. Since settling in Boca Raton 25 years ago, the Batmasians have actively supported most, if not all, of the many organizations that make their community a great place in which to live, work, and play. Knowing that corporate investment and re-investment in an area's cultural, educational, nonprofit, government, and recreational components produces a healthy, thriving business environment along with the well-being of its citizens, the Batmasians underwrite and lend unwavering backing to a wide variety of local causes. To proactively increase her understanding of the unique social and economic challenges of the nonprofit universe and enhance her abilities to effectively support area charities, Marta recently completed Harvard Business School's flagship executive program: Governing for Nonprofit Excellence (GNE): Critical Issues for Board Leadership. " Jim and Marta" have served on more than 30 boards and committees, and actively provided financial support and leadership to such educational institutions and organizations as the Children's Science Explorium (that was founded, named, funded, and chaired by Marta), Children's Museum of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University, Nova Southeastern University/School of Business (Marta is on its Board of Governors), Lynn University/Excalibur Club, the League for Educational Awareness of the Holocaust (LEAH), Boca Raton Literary Society, KIND (Kids in New Directions), Together Against Gangs (TAG), and the St. Paul PTA. Marta and Jim have also played a significant leadership role in championing fundraising and community support of the new Centre for the Arts at Mizner Park, the Boca Pops, the South Florida Symphony, Miami City Ballet, the Florida Symphonic Pops, the Caldwell Theater, the Palm Beach County Cultural Council (Marta is currently vice chairman), the Boca Raton Historical Society, Boca Raton Community Hospital, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Center for Family Services, WMCA, the Junior League of Boca Raton, and the Florida Tri-County Humane Society. Other organizations they have helped include the Florence Fuller Child Development Centers, the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, the Humanitarian Society, Migrant Workers, and Take Charge! Cure Parkinson's, as well as the Armenian Assembly of America. Both Jim and Marta have been nominees for and the recipients of numerous business, community, and charitable organization awards as well as included in the Marquis of Who's Who publications around the world. Most recently, Marta was honored as the "Volunteer Woman of the Year" by the Junior League of Boca Raton and "Bridge Builder of the Year" for LEAH, the League for Educational Awareness of the Holocaust.