Sergey Ivannikov

Sergey Ivannikov is the Founder and CEO of Russian American Media, a leading multimedia company serving California’s Russian-speaking community. Widely recognized as a successful businessman and community leader among Slavic immigrants to the United States, Sergey has dedicated his career to empowering immigrant communities and fostering cross-cultural unity.

In 1995, following the collapse of the Soviet Union and a period of economic turmoil, Sergey immigrated to the United States in search of opportunity and stability. Determined to rebuild his life from the ground up, he spent his mornings in college classrooms and his afternoons managing a small digital print shop. Within two years, he mastered a new language, earned a degree in computer engineering, and launched the first digital print shop tailored to the needs of local Slavic businesses.

From those beginnings, Sergey went on to establish Russian American Media, which quickly expanded to include the first Slavic business directory, a Russian-language newspaper, and an English-language magazine. These platforms became essential communication tools, helping Slavic immigrants stay connected to their culture, community, and new American home. Over the years, his enterprise has grown into one of the most significant full-spectrum advertising and multimedia organizations serving the Russian-speaking community in California and beyond.

Today, Russian American Media not only provides media and advertising services but also produces major multicultural events that bring together business leaders, policymakers, families, and young people—the future leaders of the community. Sergey’s vision far exceeds that of a traditional media executive. With boundless energy and creativity, he has positioned his company as a driving force for cultural exchange, community development, and economic growth.

Sergey’s professional foundation includes an engineering degree from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and early experience as an international trade executive at the Uzbekistan Ministry of Foreign Trade. These skills, combined with his entrepreneurial spirit and media expertise, allow him to serve a wide range of community initiatives. As a liaison for new immigrants, he helps them connect with one another and integrate into American society while celebrating their cultural heritage. His philosophy is to preserve cultural identity while strengthening unity, ensuring immigrant communities thrive as vibrant contributors to American life.

In addition to his business and community work, Sergey is a Founding Member of the Slavic–American Chamber of Commerce and an active member of several local chambers. He has also served on the boards of numerous organizations, including the Council For Cross-Cultural Affairs, Sacramento World Music & Dance Festival, John Maxwell Live2Lead, Los Rios Foundation, Sacramento District Attorney Multi-Cultural Community Council, Capital Public Radio, Luis Palau Sacramento Festival, CalExpo State Fair Multi-Cultural Board, Word To Russia, Wells Fargo Community Advisory Board, Census, World Autism & Savant Foundation, Gateway Community Charters Foundation, Smile For A Lifetime Foundation, Global Heart Care, APAPA PAC, and Solving Sacramento.

Through hard work, vision, and dedication, Sergey Ivannikov continues to champion cultural understanding, break down barriers, and strengthen community prosperity.

Founder & CEO
Russian American Media