St. Michael’s College School Alumnus Named CEO of Salt + Light Media
St. Michael’s College School (SMCS) proudly celebrates the appointment of one of its distinguished alumni, Fr. Haig Chahinian ’13, as the Chief Executive Officer of Salt + Light Media – a Canadian multimedia platform founded in 2002 following the success of World Youth Day Toronto.
Chahinian’s journey from the halls of SMCS to this significant leadership role exemplifies the core values of goodness, discipline, and knowledge instilled in our students.
After spending six years in the seminary, Chahinian was ordained a priest in the Armenian Catholic Church in August 2024.
“I remember the profound stillness of my heart on the day of the ordination, a peace that surpassed understanding,” says Chahinian. “I recall the solemn beauty of the Liturgy, the sacred hymns, and the embrace of a community united in faith and joy. It was a time when the boundaries between heaven and earth felt extraordinarily close, and I was deeply aware of the presence of God.”
Fr. Haig’s ministry has been defined by his commitment to evangelization, pastoral care, and media outreach. He currently serves as the parish priest at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Catholic Church of Toronto, where he supports pastoral services. In addition, Chahinian spent a great deal of time discerning his path following ordination and how he could best serve the Church through other avenues.
Called to Serve Through Evangelization
His answer came in February 2024, when a job posting for Salt + Light Media CEO caught his attention and prompted him to inquire. Shortly after submitting his name, Alexander Du, the interim-CEO at that time, reached out to Chahinian.
“The selection process spanned nearly a year and was deeply rooted in prayer, dialogue, and discernment,” says Chahinian. “It included in-depth discussions with the Board of Directors and senior leadership about the mission and vision of Salt + Light. The process also involved reflecting on how my own spiritual and professional journey aligned with Salt + Light’s mission from its founder, the late Gaetano Gagliano, to today’s thriving and spirit-filled mission. It was as much about assessing operational goals as it was about ensuring that my leadership would be deeply rooted in faith and a commitment to service.
“Throughout this discernment, my prayer to our Saviour Jesus Christ was, ‘God, if this role is according to Your will, then let Your will be done. If it is not according to Your will, then let it be that way.’ This prayer of surrender helped me fully place my trust in God’s providence. The more I prayed, the more I felt called to lead Salt + Light in its mission to evangelize and bring the light of Christ to all corners of Canada and beyond.”
In December 2024, Chahinian accepted the position as its new Chief Executive Officer. “I accepted this role because it offered the unique opportunity to serve the Church, combining my pastoral, professional, and leadership experiences,” he says. “I was particularly drawn to the idea of bringing our faithful and viewers together, not only through media but as a united community under Salt + Light across Canada. The opportunity to inspire others, share the beauty of the Catholic faith, and connect people to Christ through storytelling and spiritual engagement was profoundly meaningful to me. I also felt a deep sense of responsibility to contribute to the Church’s mission of evangelization in an ever-changing world, using the gifts God has entrusted to me.”
A Renewed Vision for Salt + Light
Chahinian recognizes the challenges the ever-evolving media landscape presents in remaining relevant to young audiences and staying faithful to the Gospel. He believes Salt + Light is well-positioned as a dynamic platform for faith to thrive in a modern context.
“My vision for Salt + Light is to strengthen its role as a unifying force within the Church and as a source of spiritual renewal for all who encounter it, with a particular focus on engaging youth,” he says. “I see Salt + Light not just as a media organization but as a spiritual family that connects people to Christ and one another.“For young people, we need to meet them where they are on digital platforms and through modern storytelling, addressing their questions, struggles, and aspirations. By creating content that speaks to their experiences, we can help them discover the beauty of their faith and inspire them to embrace their unique role in the Church.”
Chahinian also hopes to expand Salt + Light’s digital outreach and build relationships with schools, youth ministries, and parishes.
“My hope is that every young person will see Salt + Light as a bridge connecting them to the Church and as a guide to living out their faith with purpose and joy.”
A Foundation for Spiritual Leadership
Chahinian’s profile stood out for his expertise in both Eastern and Western Catholic traditions and his strong media background. He was also well-positioned to connect with younger audiences.
He is multilingual in English, French, Italian, and Armenian and holds a degree in international relations and economics. While in the seminary, he also earned a baccalaureate from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
During his time in Rome, Chahinian led Telepace Armenia, the media outlet of the Armenian Catholic faithful.
“My role with Telepace Armenia taught me how to use media as a powerful tool for evangelization, connecting people across the diaspora and providing spiritual nourishment through broadcasts and programming,” says Chahinian, who also had a career in management consulting before joining the seminary.
SMCS Impact
Fr. Haig’s path has been one of deep faith, academic excellence, and dedicated service. He fondly looks back on his formative years at SMCS, where he balanced a demanding academic schedule with a diverse array of co-curriculars from hockey to Student Government, Jazz Ensemble, Club Franco-Spagnol, Peer Tutoring, and Leadership Camp.
“A foundational part of my formation came during my years at St. Michael’s College School, where the Basilian Fathers instilled in me the values of goodness, discipline, and knowledge,” he says. “St. Michael’s didn’t just shape me, it became a cornerstone for our family, as my brothers Gabriel ’15 and Raphael ’22 also walked through its iconic yellow brick walls. Playing Varsity Double Hockey for three years taught me the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and humility: all lessons that extended far beyond the rink. These experiences, both inside and outside the classroom, gave me a strong foundation for leadership rooted in faith and integrity.”
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