Mayor Ardashes Kassakhian
City of Glendale
Ardashes "Ardy" Kassakhian is an educator, public affairs professional, and longtime Glendale resident who brings a distinguished background in civic leadership and good governance to his service to the City of Glendale.
Ardy earned his Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University and his Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of California, Los Angeles. He also completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard's Kennedy School and is a Coro Public Affairs Fellow. With a strong foundation in history and public policy, Ardy's multifaceted experience offers a diverse and informed perspective to the Council.
Ardy's path to public service began in the community, where he organized voter outreach for seniors, young people, and residents with limited English proficiency. That work carried him to Washington, D.C., where he interned in the United States Congress before returning to California to build a career in public affairs. Through community-based advocacy, Ardy built strong relationships and experienced firsthand the benefits of a connected community with engaged leadership.
In 2005, Ardy was elected Glendale City Clerk, becoming the youngest person ever elected to municipal office in the city's history. He served in that role for 15 years, re-elected by Glendale voters four times, and worked to modernize the city's elections, strengthen transparency, and expand public access to government. He was elected to the Glendale City Council in 2020 and currently serves as Mayor, a role he also held from 2022 to 2023.
Ardy actively contributes to regional leadership, representing Glendale on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the Southern California Association of Governments Regional Council, where he shapes policy on transportation, housing, and sustainability. Appointed to the California New Motor Vehicle Board, he served in several leadership positions, including Board President. He was also appointed by the California Secretary of State to the Language Accessibility Advisory Committee to support efforts to increase voter participation.
Ardy has authored articles on good governance and voting rights and has spoken on government reform and civic engagement at colleges, universities, and events across the state. He also serves as an adjunct instructor of Political Science at Glendale Community College.
Ardy believes that government works best when stakeholders are engaged and informed. His blend of civic experience, analytical insight, and community engagement equips him to make impactful decisions that benefit the residents of Glendale. He enjoys reading, museums, road trips around, hiking, and spending time with his family.
Ardy earned his Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University and his Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of California, Los Angeles. He also completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard's Kennedy School and is a Coro Public Affairs Fellow. With a strong foundation in history and public policy, Ardy's multifaceted experience offers a diverse and informed perspective to the Council.
Ardy's path to public service began in the community, where he organized voter outreach for seniors, young people, and residents with limited English proficiency. That work carried him to Washington, D.C., where he interned in the United States Congress before returning to California to build a career in public affairs. Through community-based advocacy, Ardy built strong relationships and experienced firsthand the benefits of a connected community with engaged leadership.
In 2005, Ardy was elected Glendale City Clerk, becoming the youngest person ever elected to municipal office in the city's history. He served in that role for 15 years, re-elected by Glendale voters four times, and worked to modernize the city's elections, strengthen transparency, and expand public access to government. He was elected to the Glendale City Council in 2020 and currently serves as Mayor, a role he also held from 2022 to 2023.
Ardy actively contributes to regional leadership, representing Glendale on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the Southern California Association of Governments Regional Council, where he shapes policy on transportation, housing, and sustainability. Appointed to the California New Motor Vehicle Board, he served in several leadership positions, including Board President. He was also appointed by the California Secretary of State to the Language Accessibility Advisory Committee to support efforts to increase voter participation.
Ardy has authored articles on good governance and voting rights and has spoken on government reform and civic engagement at colleges, universities, and events across the state. He also serves as an adjunct instructor of Political Science at Glendale Community College.
Ardy believes that government works best when stakeholders are engaged and informed. His blend of civic experience, analytical insight, and community engagement equips him to make impactful decisions that benefit the residents of Glendale. He enjoys reading, museums, road trips around, hiking, and spending time with his family.