Wikimedia Foundation elections/2025/Candidates/Shahen Araboghlian
Shahen Araboghlian (ShahenWasHere)
ShahenWasHere (talk • meta edits • global user summary • CA • AE)
| Candidate details | 
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| Candidate video statement | ||
| Total word count for the whole application (required + optional questions) is 2500 words. | ||
| Have you read the minimum candidate requirements and verified you meet the minimum qualifications and the candidate eligibility requirements? | Yes | |
| Have you read the candidate guidelines and agree to abide by the guidelines? | Yes | |
| Required questions | ||
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| Why are you running for the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees? What would you contribute? What would you like to learn more about? | I joined the Wikimedia movement not through policy or platforms, but through purpose. I was 16 years old, sitting in a summer camp hall in Lebanon, when I made my first edit on Wikipedia, in Western Armenian, a stateless language spoken by endangered linguistic communities, scattered across the globe. That moment changed how I understood power: to preserve and develop information in the digital age, from the margins.
I’m running for the Board of Trustees because our movement is at a crossroads. Our communities are growing and diversifying unevenly. According to the Community Insights 2024 Report, ages between 18-24 became the largest group of active editors. 37% of newcomers fall into the same age range, another 25% fall under 25-34 years of age. Additionally, entire regions – the Middle East, the South Caucasus, the Mediterranean — remain underrepresented. Linguistic minorities like mine, who create and curate knowledge despite the odds, are still often missing from the rooms where decisions are made. I want to help change that. I was raised in Beirut, lived in Paris, and based in Yerevan for the past 4 years. I speak fluent English, Arabic, both Eastern and Western Armenian, and intermediate French. My academic training is in political science and journalism. My career has centered on edtech, creative tech, and community engagement. I’ve advised organizations and foundations, led projects across the Wiki movement, and helped set the foundations of our user group. In 2020, I survived the Beirut explosion, one of the largest non-nuclear blasts in history. That experience shifted my sense of time and responsibility. I didn’t want to wait to be invited; I wanted to build and contribute. Wikimedia gave me that space. Now, I want to help shape it for others. I believe in a Board that listens first, especially to those who’ve rarely been asked. A Board that recognizes that governance is not just about structures; it’s about people, languages, lived realities, and 21st-century threats. I want to bring that voice to the table: the voice of a young editor shaped by diaspora, grounded in the Global South and committed to the future of this movement. I hope to gain a deeper understanding of how Wikimedia’s governance, strategy, and resources can be aligned to serve our most urgent needs, not just for sustainability, but for equity and relevance. I’m here to contribute, but also to listen, connect, and help build the future we need. Because if Wikimedia is for everyone, then everyone deserves to be part of the conversation: from the Global South where teenagers make their first edit, to the boardrooms where decisions shape the world they’ll inherit. | |
| Please describe your Wikimedia experience (such as contributions to the Wikimedia projects, memberships in Wikimedia organizations or affiliates, activities as a Wikimedia movement organizer, or participation with a Wikimedia movement ally organization). | Editor since 2015
I began contributing in 2015, before Western Armenian Wikipedia existed. At the time, we used temporary on-wiki solutions to store content while laying the groundwork for a standalone project. 14,000+ edits across 18 Wikimedia projects throughout the past decade, primarily on Western Armenian Wikipedia, English Wikisource, and some contributions in English and Eastern Armenian Wikipedias. I’ve served as an administrator on the Western Armenian Wikipedia since its inception. Setting the foundations Helped set the foundations of the Wikimedians of Western Armenian Language User Group. I continue to serve as its volunteer Program Manager, overseeing strategic direction and comms. Participation in WikiCamps
Conferences
 CEE Youth Group
Recent engagement
Context for deleted edits Some early edits appear as deleted on Eastern Armenian Wiki; this is because we used Eastern Armenian Wiki to store Western Armenian content prior to Western Armenian Wikipedia’s launch, then formally transferred. | |
| From your perspective, what should the Wikimedia Foundation be prioritizing over the next 3-5 years, and why do you see these as the most important priorities? | The Foundation must make proactive choices, not just to preserve what exists, but to imagine what’s possible.
1. Safeguarding the integrity of Wiki content in an AI-dominated internet As gen AI becomes a primary interface for information, Wiki content is at growing risk of being invisible, misattributed, or distorted. AI systems routinely ingest Wikipedia without crediting it, remix without preserving context, and output answers that blur the line between community-curated fact and machine-generated speculation. In this landscape, our core values, verifiability, neutrality, and transparency, are under threat. If Wikimedia’s role in the info ecosystem is to remain relevant and trusted, the Foundation must take an active stance in protecting how our content is used and attributed. I support the Foundation’s AI strategy for its clear, values-driven position. What matters isn’t just what we build, but how we build it: open-source, privacy-conscious, multilingual, and in service of human agency. 2. Investing in the margins Stateless and endangered languages, underrepresented regions, and younger generations are often framed as “emerging,” but they’re already central to the future of our movement. The structural support they receive remains inconsistent. The Foundation needs to move beyond inclusion and adopt equity as an operating principle. That means designing tech with maximal multilingual support from the start, funding affiliates based on context and potential impact, and treating youth and Global South organizers as stakeholders in governance and strategy. 3. Trust through transparency. Trust is earned through consistent clarity and responsiveness. Concerns about decision-making, community engagement, and resourcing are not isolated. We need to invest in participatory governance models, better channels for community input, and full transparency around strategic priorities and budgeting. | |
| Please describe your experience with governing bodies of organizations (nonprofit or for-profit), mentioning the scope of your responsibilities, as well as the complexity of the organization (in terms of scale of operations, budget, number of people involved, or other meaningful measures) and the size of the board or body. | I haven’t served on a traditional Wiki board not because I wasn’t willing or able, but because those structures didn’t exist where I come from. I did what many in emerging communities have done: stepped up, stayed committed, and helped shape what was missing. My leadership began in action.
When I joined the movement in 2015, there was no Western Armenian Wikipedia, no user group, and no board structure to learn from. So I helped lay the foundations, from the ground up, for our User Group, led our strategy, and continue to serve in our governance committee as a volunteer Program Manager. Beyond Wikimedia, as Assistant Director for Training & Educational Development, I've served on the Senior Secretariat Board at the Lebanese American University’s Global Classrooms. I led recruitment, ran training sessions, and authored strategic educational materials. These were real, structural decisions that directly impacted over 120 trainers and 3,000 students. I believe in the Board’s commitment to diversity of talents, experiences, and backgrounds. Not every candidate comes from a Wiki governance ladder, especially those of us building our communities from scratch. But the work I’ve done, filling in institutional gaps, designing systems of trust, and scaling grassroots leadership, is board work. It just didn’t go by that name. I’m proud of what I’ve practiced so far and ready to bring that experience to the Board, with focus, humility, and a deep respect for how communities move. | |
| Questions from the Community (required) | ||
| These questions were sourced from the community. These questions are required to consider your application complete. If this section is not complete by 23:59 AoE, July 8 (11:59 UTC, July 9), your application will not be considered. | ||
| How do you plan to ensure transparency and accountability in your decision-making processes as a member of the Board of Trustees? | Transparency and accountability are fundamental to Wikimedia’s governance, as the Board Handbook states: communities and the public deserve transparency in our operations and governance.
If elected, I will champion clear, timely communication and reasoning in accessible ways. Accountability means listening to contributors, donors, and readers; aligning decisions with Wikimedia’s mission and evolving needs. Transparency builds trust. Accountability sustains it. I would treat both not as obligations, but as guiding principles. | |
| What will be the first new issue you would like to bring to the attention of the Board for discussion, and how would you approach it? | The first issue I’d raise is the urgent need to protect Wikimedia’s integrity and visibility in an AI-dominated internet. As Anusha Alikhan wrote in Stanford Social Innovation Review, Wikipedia became the most viewed health source during COVID-19, proof of its public value and the need to protect it.
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| How should decisions about trade-offs and prioritisation in Wikimedia technology or product areas be approached? Please explain what the trade-off is in your view. | Trade-offs in Wikimedia tech should be guided by our mission. The key tension is between innovation speed and broad accessibility. Rapidly launching new tools may benefit tech-advanced regions but risk alienating communities with limited resources. On the other hand, prioritizing stability alone could stall necessary innovation.
Decisions must be data-informed, community-driven, and transparent, centering underserved voices. Modular rollouts and opt-in features can let local communities adapt at their own pace. Striking this balance ensures Wikimedia evolves responsibly while staying true to its mission. | |
| The number of Wikimedia affiliates has grown significantly over the past few years, but ensuring adequate resourcing can be a challenge. Given this, how might we rethink the movement ecosystem, including how affiliates are evaluated, engaged, and resourced? | Affiliate growth reflects the movement’s strength, but resourcing must adapt. A differentiated model, offering core funding to mature groups and seed grants, mentorship, or training to newer ones can meet diverse needs.
Evaluation should go beyond metrics, focusing on impact and alignment with Wikimedia values. Peer networks like the CEE Hub and partnerships with local institutions can boost collaboration and sustainability. A tiered, strategic resourcing model ensures support is equitable and helps affiliates grow on their own terms. | |
| As the Wikimedia Foundation's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) position transitions, what qualities do you believe the incoming leader should embody, and how would these contribute to the advancement of the Wikimedia movement? | The movement is entering a pivotal era, facing mounting threats to knowledge integrity, licensing, attribution, and information. At this moment, the incoming CEO must be externally facing, policy-savvy, and persuasive.
1. A policy superhero. The next CEO must be a seasoned operator in digital rights. We need someone who can walk into rooms with regulators, lawmakers, and tech leaders, and defend Wikipedia as a pillar of democratic access to knowledge. They should be able to shape AI and internet governance conversations, not only react to them. 2. A master communicator, an ambassador. Wikipedia is often seen as a product, not a process. The CEO must be a compelling speaker who can humanize volunteers and advocate for the movement in arenas that matter. 3. A leader with visible transparency. The next CEO must share unfinished thinking, invite feedback early, and discuss deliberations. 4. A teammate with experience navigating decentralized systems. Wikimedia isn’t a company. Decisions aren’t always made in boardrooms; they’re also shaped on Meta-Wiki, in WhatsApp groups, at hubs, on discussion pages, and beyond. The CEO must know how to work with structures where authority is sometimes shared. - The CEO doesn’t have to do everything alone. The movement-facing work can be distributed across leadership as we continue building trust. But externally, we need a figure who can stand up for the movement when it matters most. | |
| Optional questions - Professional Experience, Skills and Education | ||
| These questions are optional. Responses will count towards the total word limit on your application. (Reminder: You will not have other opportunities to provide this information). | ||
| Please describe your professional career experience and relevance to board work. | My professional career reflects a diverse trajectory spanning education, creative industries, tech, and communications, connected to leadership, strategy, and community.
Currently, I work at the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies, founded more than a decade ago and expanding internationally since 2018, reshaping education by empowering youth through cutting-edge, self-directed learning in creative tech fields. Previously, I served as Program Manager for Artbox at Creative Armenia, an initiative supporting solo creatives and creative businesses. I developed programs, designed curricula, and worked closely with a diverse community of artists and entrepreneurs. I’ve worked for a reforestation organization, expanding their communication efforts, and as Content Manager at Krisp, a global leader in AI noise cancellation tech. I’ve helped organize a conference at the United Nations Headquarters in NYC, which gave me insight into large-scale coordination and collaboration. Academically, I was a Teaching Assistant for Media & Gender at the Lebanese American University. I’ve also represented LAU at the Harvard World Model United Nations Conference in 2017. I’m also a published poet and book editor. This breadth of experience has given me skills directly relevant to the governance, accountability, and collaborative decision-making essential for effective Board work. | |
| Please describe how you handled, or advised others on, a complex problem in an organization. How did you work with others to address the situation? What was the change that resulted from your efforts? | I’ve faced countless complex situations across roles, so rather than focus on one, I focus on the pattern: there’s never a one-size-fits-all solution. I work collaboratively to solve immediate issues and build systems that prevent them from recurring. To avoid exceeding the word limit, I will exclude detailed examples. | |
| Please describe your educational background, including degrees, certificates, and courses of study finished, and their relevance to board work. | I hold a B.A. in Political Science and International Affairs from the Lebanese American University and Sciences Po Paris. I completed a senior study focused on climate refugee recognition.
I also earned a Graduate Program Scholar status for an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at the Lebanese American University. I was recently admitted to the University of Oxford for a second Master’s program starting Fall 2025, but I declined the offer and may instead pursue it next year. Beyond formal degrees, I have pursued diverse courses including:
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| Please add any relevant links describing your professional background, experience, profile (such as LinkedIn, staff page, etc.). | Please find my LinkedIn profile here. | |
| Optional questions - Leadership Experience | ||
| These questions are optional. Responses will count towards the total word limit on your application. (Reminder: You will not have other opportunities to provide this information). | ||
| Please describe ways in which you have helped to form a bridge between multiple communities (such as by working on projects outside your home wiki, or working on a collaboration between multiple affiliates). | I’ve worked across languages, regions, and affiliates to bridge communities. As volunteer Program Manager of the Western Armenian UG, I helped connect a global diaspora through partnerships. Through the CEE Youth Group and Wikimedia Youth Conference, I’ve built alignment across cultures.
Beyond Wikimedia, I’ve united diverse stakeholders around shared goals, always with a focus on clear communication and making sure every voice is heard. | |
| Can you describe a policy, on wiki or off, that you helped to create or change? What did you learn from this experience? | I helped draft the guidelines for Western Armenian Wikipedia after its launch. Since we were building in an endangered, diasporic language, we couldn’t copy-paste policies from others. I led discussions to adapt principles to reflect our cultural context. What I learned is that policy is more than rules; it’s about values. | |
| How have you been able to empower people to make their voices heard? | I empower people by helping them speak from their own experience, especially youth and marginalized voices. In the Western Armenian Wiki community, I’ve organized workshops that gave students the tools to write in their language and see it online for the first time. At Artbox, I supported young creatives in pitching ideas, applying for grants, and shaping their narratives.
Across fields, my role is to open doors, ask the right questions, and step back, because real empowerment means being heard on your own terms. | |
| Can you describe how you have demonstrated the ability to guide others in solving problems, adapting to change or achieving goals, particularly at a leadership or management level? | At Artbox, I led a pivot in our program after realizing participants needed more structure. We added peer check-ins, simplified tasks, and built milestones around their actual needs. I bring the same approach to Wikimedia: listen, adapt, act.
To avoid exceeding the word limit, I will exclude detailed examples. | |
| Optional questions - Strategic Thinking | ||
| These questions are optional. Responses will count towards the total word limit on your application. (Reminder: You will not have other opportunities to provide this information). | ||
| Please describe your experience participating in or leading an organization in planning for its future. How did your work contribute to picking the right path for the organization? | At our User Group, I helped chart our growth from scratch, setting priorities, drafting strategy-driven projects, and focusing on youth, partnerships, and retention. At Artbox, I led the program’s creative startups expansion, adapting the structure to the vision. I focused on defining success clearly and then adjusting as we go.
To avoid exceeding the word limit, I will exclude detailed examples. | |
| Verification | Identity verification performed by Wikimedia Foundation staff and eligibility verification performed by the Elections Committee | |
Eligibility:  Verified
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Identification: Verified Verified by: – NahidSultan (WMF) (talk) 07:41, 1 July 2025 (UTC) | |