Sona Kazanjian: A Bridge-Builder in Faith, Leadership and Global Influence at the One Billion Summit

At a moment when the global creator economy and thought leadership converge with faith, community building and strategic influence, few figures embody this intersection with as much purposeful grace as Sona Kazanjian. Recently spotlighted at the One Billion Followers Summit in Dubai, Kazanjian’s presence at the world’s largest convening of digital creators, entrepreneurs and global leaders underscored how her multifaceted journey — spanning ministry leadership, international engagement and motivational speaking — resonates far beyond traditional silos of influence.

Kazanjian’s path to prominence begins with an academic foundation rooted in both analytical rigor and international perspective. After earning a degree in civil engineering and a master’s in international business, she moved to Dubai in 2000, a decision that would define her professional and community leadership for decades to come. Early in her career, she assumed the role of Administrator at the Dubai Church Centre, a multi-denominational complex that today houses seven different faith communities. In this capacity, she became an essential liaison between local churches and governmental authorities, including the Ruler’s Court of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed — a role that required not only diplomatic skill but also cultural fluency within one of the world’s most dynamic urban environments.

Over the years, Kazanjian expanded her leadership footprint. In 2012, she joined the Fellowship of Dubai, a non-denominational evangelical church, as Director of International Ministries. Her work there has been characterized by a commitment to building bridges across cultural, national and religious boundaries, shaping environments where diverse communities can engage meaningfully with one another. Alongside these responsibilities, Kazanjian became a certified Maxwell Trainer — an endorsement of her expertise in leadership development grounded in the principles of renowned leadership expert John Maxwell — and a motivational speaker whose voice has resonated at international forums such as the Global Leadership Summit.

Kazanjian’s role as Coordinator of Movement Day Dubai since 2019 further reflects her ability to facilitate large-scale collaborative engagement. Movement Day, a global initiative that mobilizes leaders across sectors to pursue transformation in cities around the world, aligns with her long-standing vision: to elevate platforms where faith, leadership and social impact intersect. This blend of strategic insight and relational leadership has built her reputation as a thoughtful influencer, not through mass-market celebrity, but through depth of engagement and integrity of purpose.

Her Instagram presence, where she engages an audience of over a thousand followers with reflections on community, culture and faith, complements her broader professional footprint. It reveals a figure equally at ease in personal digital spaces as she is on international stages — an ambassador for ideas that transcend conventional boundaries.

At the One Billion Followers Summit, Kazanjian was not merely another attendee; she represented a perspective essential to the evolving discourse on influence. In an era where digital reach often eclipses substantive leadership, her voice reminded delegates that genuine influence also requires empathetic connection, ethical grounding and a commitment to shared human flourishing. Her participation at the summit signaled the growing recognition of thought leaders whose impact is measured not just in followers, but in the meaningful communities they cultivate.

In a landscape crowded with transient trends, Sona Kazanjian’s journey illustrates a more enduring model of influence — one rooted in service, cross-cultural dialogue and the conviction that leadership can be both relational and transformative. Her role at the One Billion Summit was not an end, but a natural extension of a life woven through purpose, resilience and visionary engagement with the world.