{"id":8963,"date":"2015-01-23T08:30:34","date_gmt":"2015-01-23T08:30:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/?p=8963"},"modified":"2022-01-10T21:41:39","modified_gmt":"2022-01-10T21:41:39","slug":"luna-atamian-from-paris-to-new-york-policy-meets-innovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/luna-atamian-from-paris-to-new-york-policy-meets-innovation\/","title":{"rendered":"Luna Atamian &#8211; From Paris to New York &#8211; Policy Meets Innovation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-2fgc8z-74b2dc94919c37e55e45ae105760e699\">\n#top .avia-gallery.av-2fgc8z-74b2dc94919c37e55e45ae105760e699 .avia-gallery-thumb a{\nwidth:20%;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia-gallery av-2fgc8z-74b2dc94919c37e55e45ae105760e699 avia_animate_when_visible  avia-builder-el-0  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  deactivate_avia_lazyload avia-gallery-animate avia-gallery-1'  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><div class='avia-gallery-thumb'> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-content\/uploads\/articles-member-new-york\/2015\/01\/Interview-Luna.jpeg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-content\/uploads\/articles-member-new-york\/2015\/01\/Interview-Luna.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-content\/uploads\/articles-member-new-york\/2015\/01\/Interview-Luna-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-content\/uploads\/articles-member-new-york\/2015\/01\/Interview-Luna-705x529.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-content\/uploads\/articles-member-new-york\/2015\/01\/Interview-Luna-450x338.jpeg 450w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" data-rel='gallery-1' data-prev-img='https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-content\/uploads\/articles-member-new-york\/2015\/01\/Interview-Luna-495x400.jpeg' class='first_thumb lightbox ' data-onclick='1' title='Interview-Luna'  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  ><img class=\"wp-image-9073 avia-img-lazy-loading-not-9073\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-content\/uploads\/articles-member-new-york\/2015\/01\/Interview-Luna-180x180.jpeg\" width=\"180\" height=\"180\"  title='Interview-Luna' alt='' srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-content\/uploads\/articles-member-new-york\/2015\/01\/Interview-Luna-180x180.jpeg 180w, https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-content\/uploads\/articles-member-new-york\/2015\/01\/Interview-Luna-80x80.jpeg 80w, https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-content\/uploads\/articles-member-new-york\/2015\/01\/Interview-Luna-36x36.jpeg 36w, https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-content\/uploads\/articles-member-new-york\/2015\/01\/Interview-Luna-120x120.jpeg 120w, https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-content\/uploads\/articles-member-new-york\/2015\/01\/Interview-Luna-450x450.jpeg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 180px) 100vw, 180px\" \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<p>Luna Atamian is the Regional Director for Fwd.us in New York City! Let&#8217;s find out how Luna ended in NYC and why she is here instead in her hometown Paris.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is your role in <a href=\"http:\/\/fwd.us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FWD.us<\/a> and what projects are you most passionate about?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As the Eastern Chapter Director, my main role is to grow the organization in the Eastern region of the United States and to engage business leaders who contribute to FWD.us. At the moment, I am really passionate about collaborating with policy makers and contributing to the creation of key policies that will help America remain at the forefront of innovation. We are working to encourage the Administration to do what they can via executive immigration action to further streamline and improve the legal immigration system to bring the best and brightest here, and let them grow companies. Beyond that, we\u2019re working every day to try to help pass legislation that would fundamentally fix our broken immigration system.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How did you get involved in advocacy?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I have a legal background and I studied human rights at Columbia University. I am also a good salesperson. The combination all of all these elements naturally pushed me to work in advocacy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tell us about Immigrant Heritage Month (IHM)?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Earlier in 2014, Welcome.us &#8211; an organization we\u2019ve been proud to support &#8211; established June as Immigrant Heritage Month (IHM) to honor the ways in which America and the immigrants who have built our country are linked in a shared, productive history.<\/p>\n<p>We have built a network of over 220 partners, comprised of nonprofit organizations, ethnic groups, faith organizations, and civic, political, and business leaders from across the country to join the celebration of America\u2019s unique immigrant heritage. During IHM 2014, we branded 96 events across the country as part of IHM, and government officials from 31 states issued 74 proclamations or resolutions officially recognizing June as Immigrant Heritage Month.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How can people get involved in <a href=\"http:\/\/fwd.us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fwd.us<\/a>?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You can start by attending our FWDMonthly which is held once a month to engage in advocacy, hear from guest speakers, and explore the intersection of tech and politics. From devising innovative ways to connect constituents to Congress, to amplifying compelling local narratives, your efforts will be critical to our success. You can get more information about the incredible work my team is doing <a href=\"http:\/\/www.fwd.us\/chapter_nyc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.\u00a0 If you want to get involved in a higher-level as a company or a CEO, then we should have lunch.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you could meet any person living or from earlier times who would it be and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>First, Albert Camus because The Stranger was the first book I voluntarily decided to read as a teenager. The book haunted me. It is intense and disturbing. I had to read it a second time right after finishing it. I used to see things in black and white. His literature helped me understand better the grey area and appreciate it.<\/p>\n<p>Second, Giacomo Puccini because one needs to be completely disturbed and in pain to create such powerful music. Besides, he loved cigars. I wouldn\u2019t mind sharing one with him.<\/p>\n<p><strong>You are originally from Paris, what do you love most about it?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>What I like the most is not living there anymore. The city is too beautiful to be an everyday object for one\u2019s eyes. When I go back now, I can really appreciate what the city has to offer. It\u2019s intense and incredible every time I am back. However, I can\u2019t stay in Paris for too long. Paris makes me sad and nostalgic, whereas New York gives me energy. I forgot: I love the smell of melting butter coming from bakeries early in the morning and being able to go to a random grocery store and buying a decent bottle of red wine for only $5.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Any places that you go to when you go back to visit?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I always stop at Le Fumoir near the Louvres. It is a cute Parisian coffee shop.\u00a0 It has a library\/dining room where I like to spend whole afternoons. You can read or borrow books. The atmosphere is classy but simple. You will see a lot of real Parisians smoking, having a glass of wine, and complaining about life. Finally, it\u2019s one of the rare places where I can have mate, a Uruguayan tea that we drink a lot at home since my father grew up in Uruguay.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is the best time of year to visit?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Like in any big city, people usually say spring or autumn. I personally think that autumn is only special in New York City. Thus, I am inclined to say spring because that\u2019s when the Parisian terrasse life really begins. You can spend entire days having wine and coffee outside. Seriously.<\/p>\n<p><strong>When you&#8217;re not working what are your hobbies, like to do for fun?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I like traveling a lot. When I can\u2019t travel, I watch (a lot of) documentaries. At the moment, I am really into Parts Unknown on CNN.\u00a0 I also like exploring new flavors either in food or wine. It became a real hobby since my boyfriend and I have been really interested in the science of food. I like writing as well and I have been writing for the Huffington Post for a few months. It\u2019s a really therapeutic activity. Reading books is also something I do regularly but I have a hard time reading fiction lately. Finally, I am passionate about opera. You should check the Metropolitan Opera\u2019s 2014\/2015 season. Their line up this year is great. Aida was unforgettable.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What are your favorite things to do in New York?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Running in Carl Schurz Park in the Upper East Side where I live, hanging out in Barnes and Nobles on a Sunday afternoon, having oysters at Maison Premiere in Williamsburg (my favorite place in NY), going to the Union Square farmer\u2019s market, drinking a soy latte in the street, eating a lox bagel while feeling guilty, going to Smoke Jazz Club with my mother when she visits, making fun of New Yorkers who eat croissant with cheddar or prosciutto.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How long have you been involved in EuroCircle?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I have been involved since the summer 2014. EuroCircle and FWD.us have been working closely on Immigrant Heritage Month (also in Austin) and continue to collaborate on projects.<img class=\"ajT\" src=\"https:\/\/ssl.gstatic.com\/ui\/v1\/icons\/mail\/images\/cleardot.gif\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Connect with Luna Atamian and Fwd.us<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/fwd.us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FWD.us<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pub\/luna-atamian\/24\/940\/48b\/en\">Luna Atamian @ LinkedIn<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Luna Atamian is the Regional Director for Fwd.us in New York City! Let&#8217;s find out how Luna ended in NYC and why she is here instead in her hometown Paris. What is your role in FWD.us and what projects are you most passionate about? As the Eastern Chapter Director, my main role is to grow [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":9074,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[10,21,9],"tags":[84],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8963"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8963"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8963\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29714,"href":"https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8963\/revisions\/29714"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9074"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8963"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8963"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eurocircle.com\/euro\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8963"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}