TORONTO, NOVEMBER 21, 2024 – Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation (Salt + Light Media) is pleased to announce the appointment of Fr. Haig Chahinian as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective December 1, 2024. 

Fr. Chahinian brings a deep commitment to pastoral ministry as an Armenian Catholic priest. With faculties granted by The Most Reverend Cardinal Elect Francis Leo, Archbishop of Toronto to administer sacraments in the Latin Rite, along with his Armenian Catholic ministry, he serves the broader Catholic community with unique pastoral reach. His spiritual leadership and comprehensive understanding of both Eastern and Western Catholic traditions are complemented by his extensive background in marketing, digital media and leadership of the Armenian Catholic television channel for Telepace in Rome. This distinctive combination of pastoral wisdom and media experience positions him perfectly to advance Salt + Light Media's mission of evangelization through modern communications. 

Multilingual in English, French, Italian, and Armenian, Fr. Chahinian holds a baccalaureate from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, reflecting his dedication to theological scholarship and pastoral ministry. He also holds a degree in International Relations and Economics, which he completed prior to entering the seminary. Currently, he is completing his graduate dissertation at Regis College, University of Toronto, focusing on bridging Western and Eastern Catholic Fundamental Theology. The Board of Directors is confident that his unique blend of pastoral insight, academic rigor, and innovative thinking will enhance the organization's mission to share the Gospel message through contemporary media platforms. 

The Board of Directors welcomes Fr. Chahinian's spiritual leadership and fresh perspective, which align with the organization's mission to inspire and nurture faith through modern communications. He will be supported by the organization's Board of Directors, an experienced senior management team, a passionate and faith-filled staff and vast network of partners and benefactors in advancing the charity's mission of spreading the light and hope of Christ to the world through Catholic content and distribution.

The Board also wishes to express its deep gratitude to Alexander Du for his dedicated leadership as Interim CEO since November 2023. Alexander will transition to the role of Chief Operating Officer and General Manager on December 1, 2024, where he will continue to be a key contributor to organizational strategy while leading operational excellence and resource optimization across all areas of Salt + Light Media.  

"Since the founding of Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation by my father, Gaetano Gagliano, we have continuously sought to hire young, passionate Catholic adults dedicated to evangelization through media," said Chair Tony Gagliano. "Fr. Chahinian's appointment reflects our commitment to nurturing faith-filled leaders who are eager to serve and expand the reach of the Church through modern media." 

About Salt + Light Media 

Founded in 2003 by Gaetano Gagliano, Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation is a Canadian-based registered charity devoted to spreading the Light of Christ to the world through television, social media, podcasts, print and other forms of digital communication in English, French, Cantonese and Mandarin. Its specialty television network, Salt + Light TV, is carried across Canada on most major cable and satellite television carriers.  Salt + Light Plus, its Internet streaming service, is available on iOS, Android, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices or by visiting slmedia.org.   

Source: https://slmedia.org/20241121-en