1. November 6, 2014
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter serves as my resounding and highest possible recommendation for Liana Hakobyan. I
write this letter after a week working side-by-side with Liana, and therefore feel very well posed to speak
to her professionalism, resourcefulness, and dedication above and beyond the call of duty.
I first encountered Liana when I was asked to teach a writing workshop for the Central Bank of
Armenia (CBA) in November 2014. Long before I arrived in Armenia, Liana was unfailing responsive
and professional. She answered any and all questions sent by email with great timeliness, diplomacy, and
accuracy. I was deeply impressed with her responsiveness and attention to detail.
When I arrived in Yerevan, however, I was even more impressed with her thoughtfulness,
courteousness, and efficiency. Liana was my sole liaison at CBA’s Research and Training Center in
Dilijan, and no request was impossible for her. She made this well-traveled westerner feel entirely at
home in a place that was further east than I had ever traveled, ensuring that all matters – from dietary
preferences to office supplies – were addressed immediately and efficiently, fulfilling all requests with
complete discretion and absolute grace. In addition, she was an always-approachable resource regarding
Armenia’s ancient history and modern culture, effortlessly answering questions large and small with her
trademark professionalism, diplomacy, and a wonderful sense of humor.
However, Liana’s dedication truly came to the fore when I encountered an unexpected difference
between U.S. and Armenian culture. This event could have been a very big stumbling block for me, but I
instantly knew I could approach Liana and ask for her assistance. When I requested her thoughts and
feedback on what was, to me, a very challenging cultural difference, Liana instantly gave me her full
attention. She graciously discussed the challenge with me, thoughtfully considered the event from my

2. point of view, and even brainstormed immediate action points to move forward in a manner that would
work for all parties concerned. Thanks to her invaluable assistance, I was able to quickly adjust my own
perspective, decide on best practices moving forward, and determine a solution. I cannot overestimate her
assistance in turning what was (to me, at least) a near-failure into a great success. In other words, without
Liana’s help, the workshop, created for nearly 20 high-ranking members of CBA, might have fallen to
ruin.
Therefore, in considering her actions in this matter – which went far above and beyond
expectations for any employee – please consider this letter my highest possible professional
recommendation for Liana Hakobyan. I cannot imagine what my experience in Armenia would have been
without her. She was not only unflaggingly professional, approachable, and competent, but she was also a
defining factor in the success of my work with CBA, and a vital element of the workshop’s success. I
hope you will strongly consider my unsolicited recommendation of her work in any future performance
evaluations, career opportunities, or work-related questions. Were I to return to Armenia, I would
immediately request to work with her again; were I to have the opportunity to work with her anywhere in
the world, I would jump at the chance. I am sure that Liana would be a great resource to any international
institution: professionally, there is no one better.
If you have any questions regarding this letter, please do not hesitate to ask. I would be happy to
provide more detail about my experience with Liana, and my sincere belief that she is destined for great
things.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best,
Jennifer Doody
Writer and Writing Tutor, Harvard University