8932 Singleleaf Circle
Lorton, VA 22079
202-770-7494
Email: president@soyol.org
www.soyol.org
Sean Armstrong
President
Sean first travelled to Mongolia in 1998 but his focus had been on the country even before that, majoring at the University of Michigan with the express purpose of going to Mongolia to pursue archaeology. After supporting an expedition in the Egiin Gol through the University of Michigan in 1998, Sean returned in 1999 to study the language, culture and history. However, after getting married to his wife Tugsu, a prominent violinist, in 2000 Sean returned to the US to go into healthcare. After working and studying for 7 years, he returned as a Fulbright Scholar in 2007, and transitioned his research into a position as Mongolia’s Country Coordinator at the famed French medical non-profit, Medecins du Monde. In his return to the US he continued to explore issues that translated into opportunities to enhance the quality of life, exploring public health and health system development in Alaska here he eventually served as Deputy Chief of Public Health. He is currently a healthcare IT leader within the Defense Health Agency as a federal employee. Throughout his life Sean has remained committed to learning about, and raising awareness of, Mongolian culture and the arts. He speaks the language near fluently, and has supported Mongolian everywhere he has lived, from Michigan, and Alaska to Korea and now the greater DC area. He founded this non-profit to continue promoting Mongolia’s cultural legacy to Americans in an effort to allow them to understand that Mongolia did not end with Genghis Khan, it has continued to evolve and is more diverse and impactful now than ever before.
Otgonchimeg Khishigbayar
Vice-President
Otgoo as she is known graduated in 1998 from the Cultural University of Mongolia. Shortly after graduating she began composing songs for guitar and singer, and performing throughout the country. As one of the first female folk and rock stars she was able to produce her first album, "Tomorrow Will Come to Me". This album launched her to the top of the musical world in Mongolia, receiving numerous awards including best new artist for 2005. Since then she has produced three additional albums all of which received numerous awards. One of the old guards of Mongolian musicians, who came to prominence during those initial post-socialist years, she has made it her mission to support new artists. She continues to perform and was a featured artist at Mongolia's largest music festival, Playtime, in 2022. She is also a proud mother of four and looks to continue to discover new genres of music all influenced by her Mongolian roots.
George Economides
Treasurer
EGeorge has always loved working with people and creating positive impact - from the micro (personal) to the macro (world). He is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) Bangladesh and Mongolia (2001-2005). In his 20s, including his time as a Peace Corps Volunteer, George was a teacher. He taught English, Science, Social Studies, and English Literature and later became certified to teach Math. He also has had training and facilitation roles throughout his career with extensive experience in curriculum development and implementation. In 2006, George was Co-Director of Friends of Mongolia, a non-profit organization, and helped set up a scholarship program for Mongolian students that is still going strong today.
Munkhzul Nergui
Secretary
Munkhzul (Zulaa) is a trained violinist, graduating from the Mongolian National Music Conservatory. She performed both inside Mongolia and outside it for years before making the decision to immigrate to the US a decade ago. Since coming to the US, Zulaa has taken on a number of managerial and administrative roles. She has helped found and lead a small business, managed accounting and books for another, and filled numerous customer service roles. Zulaa continues to play music and has two children.
Ariunbat Mijid
Board Member
I have a background in Development and in the applied arts such as painting, sculpture, and design. I have experience being an artist and art curator. I have a degree from Dursleh Urlagiin Dund Surguuli – Art College in Ulaanbaatar. I have also worked as an artist in Urchuudyn Holboo and stage artist on Mongolian National Television. I was blessed at a young age to have the best and most iconic Artists of Mongolia being my teachers. With gratitude and honor, I remember my dear teachers who passed their knowledge with a never-ending love for Art to me. Admirable Gelegiin Odonguai, Dagdangiin Amgalanguai, Ydamsurengiin Oyunchimegguai, Dovdongiin Dashbaldan, and many others. For the last 15 years in the US, I’ve been involved with many art and cultural projects. Organized a classic piano concert at Carnegie Hall, NY, for concert pianist Sangidorjiin Sayantsetseg, helping organize a show for Pop-singer songwriter Balchinjavyn Angirmaa in Washington D.C. Being a curator of an exhibition of the Mongolian photo series in 1961 National Geographics to celebrate 100 years of Mongolian modern journalism. Curating Mongolian Modern Art Exhibition with highlight presentation of unique contemporary artist R.Duinkharjav’s masterpiece. With these experiences and a firm commitment to supporting nomadic heritage, Mongolian art, and artist.
Crystal Ganbileg
Board Member
Crystal Ganbileg is a first generation American Mongolian and is very proud of her heritage and background. Ever since she moved to the Unites States in 2006 when she was 16 years old, she has spent most of her adult life here in the Washington D.C. area. She went to George Washington University (GWU) for pre-med and undergraduate degree and got her Ph.D from Shenandoah University in Pharmacy. Even though she has a medical/science background she owns an insurance agency Mogul Insurance Group and work very close to her local Mongolian community. Crystal always has a passion for her people, culture, heritage and history where she is a great asset at our organization. She’s not only multilingual, she had an extensive knowledge of Mongolian culture and history. Her parents entrepreneurial spirit gave her a foundation for business ownership and working within the community!
Erdene-Oyun Burgedee
Boar Member
Erdene-Oyun is an experienced manager and promoter of events throughout both Mongolia and also internationally. Educated as a teacher and musicologist, much of her professional career has been spent as either a manager of musical groups, like the Mongolian Symphony Orchestra and artists like Altanburged. In addition, she has served a director of organizations like the Mongolian State Philharmonic and the Mongolian Independence Day Festival organizing committee here in the US. One of her professional and personal passions has been to expose the world to Mongolian music and culture. Some of her successes there have included a Tribute Concert as part of the Asia-European Parliamentary Partnership Meeting, bringing the Moriin Khuur (Horse-head fiddle) Ensemble to perform. Also worked to help produce the Mongolian symphonic fairy tale the :Adventures of the Khuvdai goatling.
