Sofi Armenakian is an award-winning sustainability executive and recognized changemaker in sports and entertainment. Guided by the belief that “we are all part of the solution,” she has pioneered industry-first strategies that transformed how major venues approach zero waste and climate action.
Most recently, Sofi served as the Head of Sustainability for the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, where she oversaw conversion, uniform, housekeeping departments, and work order systems while leading the franchise’s groundbreaking sustainability initiatives. She was the first person in the NBA to hold the title of Head of Sustainability, setting a precedent for the league and industry.
Under her leadership, State Farm Arena became the first sports and entertainment venue in the world to earn TRUE (Total Resource Use and Efficiency) Platinum certification for zero waste in April 2022. She also spearheaded the first-ever zero-waste NBA All-Star Game (2021) and delivered the world’s first TRUE-certified sporting event (Hawks Eastern Conference First Round Game 4 versus the New York Knicks, May 30, 2021).
Previously, Sofi was the Manager of Sustainability and Conversions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (AMB Sports & Entertainment), where she created the stadium’s first sustainability department and launched the acclaimed “Recycle & Win” fan engagement program. Her leadership helped embed zero-waste practices into every major event, including Super Bowl LIII, the 2018 MLS Cup and MLS All-Star Games, the 2018 College Football National Championship, Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United home games, and global concert tours.
Her work has received national recognition. In 2024, Senator Raphael Warnock honored Sofi with the Change Maker Award and a formal letter of recognition for her leadership in advancing sustainability across industries. She was also named among the “Top Sustainability Executives to Know” by Sports Business Journal, further cementing her status as a thought leader in the field.
Earlier in her career, Sofi worked with ESSEX Consulting Group Inc. as Business Development and Marketing Director, specializing in data-driven sustainability solutions, and in retail as a general manager, district trainer, and recruiter.
An Armenian and trilingual (English, German, Armenian), Sofi is a graduate of Georgia State University and resides in Atlanta.
