Dr. Ata Erim was born in 1929 in the Black Sea city of Samsun, into a family whose roots trace back to the Balkans — his parents Yusuf and Esma settled in Samsun after migrating from Ioannina and Drama. From a young age he excelled academically, eventually earning admission to medical school at Istanbul University. Despite financial hardships, including the loss of his father when he was just thirteen, he completed his studies in 1955 and served as a physician in the Turkish Armed Forces before working at Istanbul American Hospital. Invited to the United States by hospital administrators, Dr. Erim accepted an offer to practice medicine in New York — even though his English was limited. As he learned the language and adjusted to a new culture, he didn’t only build a medical career: he became a foundational figure in organizing and strengthening the Turkish-American diaspora. In 1968 he helped establish the Turkish American Medical Association, serving as its first president for nine years. In 1970 he was elected head of the Federation of Turkish American Associations (TADF) — a position he held in five separate terms.
Bonnie Joy Kaslan earned her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Davis and pursued graduate studies at Sorbonne in Paris. She served as the Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in the San Francisco Bay Area for over three decades — a rare distinction for a non-Turkish woman. Professionally, Kaslan was Executive Vice-President of Kaslan Associates, Inc., a structural and geotechnical engineering firm based in Sonoma, California. Her deep commitment to the Turkish-American community led her to active volunteerism: she was the first woman to serve as Western Region Vice-President on the board of Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), and later became Chairwoman of its Board of Trustees. During her leadership, she championed educational outreach, history and social-science curriculum development, and advocacy for Turkish-American perspectives in U.S. public education. Over the years, she earned numerous honors for her service — including lifetime distinguished awards from ATAA and recognition from organizations supporting women and diaspora communities.
Burak Kuntay was born on 7 November 1979 in Bursa, Türkiye, and is originally of Artvin descent. He completed his undergraduate studies in Political Science and International Relations at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in the United States, then earned a master’s degree there in Liberal Arts/International Relations. He later completed his Ph.D. in Political Science and International Relations at Yeditepe University in Türkiye. During his time at FAU he became the first Turkish student to be elected as president of a student association in U.S. history. Additionally, he served on the university’s Board of Trustees and Foundation Board. After returning to Türkiye, Küntay began an academic career: he taught at Yeditepe University, and later became founding head of the American Studies Center and the School of Government & Leadership at Bahçeşehir University. Most recently he was appointed as the rector of Beykoz University in 2025. His academic work specializes in the U.S. government system, U.S. foreign policy, Turkish political history, and Middle East affairs. Known publicly for his commentary and analysis on international politics, he often appears on Turkish media and writes about foreign policy, contributing to public debate on Türkiye–U.S. relations and global issues.
Dr. Cengiz Sisman earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Boğaziçi University in Istanbul. He went on to study Religious Studies at Temple University in Philadelphia for his first M.A., and then pursued a second master’s in History and Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard University — where he also completed his Ph.D. in 2004. During his doctoral research, he spent a year as a special student at Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Şişman has taught at several universities in both Türkiye (including Boğaziçi, Koç University and Bilkent University) and the United States (such as Brandeis University and Furman University). Since 2015 he has been a professor of History at University of Houston–Clear Lake (UHCL). He is best known for his scholarship on religious minorities, conversion, mysticism, and crypto-religious communities in the Ottoman Empire, particularly focusing on the historical group known as the “Dönmes” (converted Jews). His book The Burden of Silence: Sabbatai Sevi and the Evolution of the Ottoman-Turkish Dönmes (Oxford University Press, 2015) is considered a landmark academic work — widely reviewed and translated, and discussed in scholarly venues in multiple languages. Şişman’s courses cover world history, Islamic empires, history of Jews and Christians in Islamic lands, modern Middle East, and inter-religious dynamics. His work is characterized by rigorous archival research, a deep examination of messianism, religious syncretism, identity, and the complex interweaving of religion, conversion, and social change in history.
Ebru Cimen Tarhan was born in İzmir, Türkiye. She completed her undergraduate education in Business Administration at Middle East Technical University (METU). After graduation, she began her career in corporate banking and later worked in human-capital consultancy at Ernst & Young. Today, she serves as the US Loyalty and CRM Program Manager at Shell, where she oversees loyalty programs and direct communications across all digital and paid channels, focusing on customer engagement and personalized experiences. Beyond her corporate role, Ebru Çimen Tarhan is active in community and diaspora-oriented work: she is associated with Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), contributing to efforts that connect and support Turkish-Americans. Her background — from a Turkish upbringing in İzmir, through international education and corporate banking, to a leadership role in a major global company combined with diaspora community engagement — reflects a bridge between cultures and professional excellence.
Ergun Kirlikovali was born in 1952 in İzmir, Türkiye, as the youngest of eight children. He earned his B.S. in Chemistry from Boğaziçi University (Istanbul) in 1974, and then completed an M.S. in Polymer Science at University of Manchester, England, in 1975 — after also doing industrial polymer internships in Austria (1973) and the Netherlands (1974). After moving to the United States in 1978, Kırlıkovalı worked for several polymer and aerospace-related firms on the West and East coasts (San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York). In 1985 he founded his own company, focusing on advanced polymer coatings and materials for aerospace applications. Kırlıkovalı is known for his role in developing stealth-enhancing polymer coatings used on high-profile military aircraft such as B-2 Spirit and F-35 Lightning II — a contribution that reportedly made his firm a critical supplier to the U.S. defense industry. In recognition of his work, he received accolades from major defense contractors such as Northrop Grumman. Beyond engineering and business, Kırlıkovalı has been deeply involved in the Turkish-American diaspora. He served as President of Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) during 2011–2013, and has long worked to promote Turkish culture and heritage in the U.S., particularly through advocacy, public outreach, and writing. Married with one son, he resides in Southern California.
G. Lincoln McCurdy is an American international-affairs professional with more than four decades of experience in the U.S. government, private sector, NGOs, and community-service organizations. He gained prominence as the president and CEO of the American-Turkish Council (ATC) in Washington, D.C., which is one of the leading institutions dedicated to promoting U.S.–Türkiye commercial, defense, and cultural ties. Later, he served as president of the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA), a nonprofit organization based in Washington focused on education, advocacy, and strengthening relations between Turkish Americans and both their homeland and adopted country. In more recent years, McCurdy has taken on advisory roles: he is Senior Advisor to the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA), and consults on U.S.–Türkiye relations, grassroots organizing, and political-action efforts within Turkish-American communities. In 2023, to mark the centennial of the Turkish Republic, he authored A Chronicle of Turkish American Relations, 1923-2023, a comprehensive historical summary documenting key diplomatic, social, and cultural milestones between Türkiye and the United States. Throughout his career, McCurdy has worked tirelessly to foster mutual understanding, cultural exchange, and stronger institutional bonds between Turkish Americans and both their home and host countries — combining diplomacy, advocacy, and community leadership.
Dr. Hakan Karalok is a physician and researcher who has worked as a post-doctoral fellow at Yale University School of Medicine. He earned his medical degree from Istanbul University, and since then has built a career combining clinical medicine, research, and community service. Beyond his medical and academic achievements, Karalök is active in Turkish-American community organizations. Notably, he serves as Vice President and Secretary-General of Turkish American Academic Council (TAAC), a body aiming to foster academic exchange and support for Turkish and Turkish-American students and scholars. In the past, he also held roles within the Federation of Turkish American Associations (FTAA). Dr. Karalok’s work — both in medicine/research and in diaspora community leadership — reflects a commitment to bridging his Turkish roots with global academic and professional networks.
Dr. Halil Mutlu was born in Guneysu, Rize in 1971. He completed elementary and middle school in Kasimpasa and high school at Kabatas Erkek Lisesi. He joined Medical School at Selcuk University Medical School in Konya. After graduation, he served his mandatory duty and joined Emergency Medicine. During his academic visit to the United States, he passed the United States Medical Licensing Examinations and became qualified to practice medicine in the USA. He joined University of Massachusetts Medical School affiliated Berkshire Medical Center, and specialized in Internal Medicine. Dr. Mutlu has been working as physician and teaching attending in Internal Medicine and Hospital Medicine. Since the beginning of 2010, Dr. Mutlu joined Tufts University School of Medicine affiliated teaching hospital, Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. Dr. Mutlu is married with one child.
John J. Driscoll is an attorney and corporate counsel specializing in cross-border business law, with a particular focus on U.S.–Türkiye transactions. He graduated from New York University School of Law (J.D.), following earlier studies at London School of Economics (M.A.) and Harvard University (B.A., magna cum laude). As counsel at Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP, Driscoll leads the firm’s “Türkiye Cross-Border” practice, advising Turkish companies and investors on U.S. corporate law, regulatory compliance, mergers & acquisitions, real-estate investment, intellectual property, employment law, and related commercial matters. He has represented a range of high-profile clients — from Turkish holdings acquiring U.S. businesses to assisting foreign investors in U.S. real estate and corporate restructuring. In addition to his legal practice, Driscoll plays a leadership role in the Turkish-American business community: he serves as Vice President on the board of TACCI. Thanks to his fluency in Turkish and his understanding of both American and Turkish business cultures, he acts as a bridge for companies that aim to operate across the Atlantic.
Kursad Dogru graduated from Ankara Koleji, received a Bachelor’s degree in City Planning from METU, and continued graduate studies with a Master of Business Administration degree from University of Texas at Arlington. He has been serving ATAA in boards and committees since 2001, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Currently he serves as a Trustee and on several committees including Investment, Rules and Nominations Committees. He volunteered as METU Alumni Association’s Dallas representative, and has served as the President of NEXT International, Inc. since 1995. He also served as a council-appointed Bond Advisory Committee member for potential projects and to make recommendations for the Town of Addison, Texas. He is married to Bengu Dogru and has two children.
Lydia Borland brings to The Livingston Group more than 30 years of public and private sector experience in international business and government relations, providing representation for foreign embassies, U.S. companies overseas and foreign companies in the U.S. Throughout her career, Ms. Borland has successfully created and managed campaigns to secure financial assistance and favorable legislation for U.S. and non-U.S. clients. She has significant experience in trade promotion, market development, and matchmaking between U.S. and foreign-based companies. Ms. Borland speaks fluent Turkish as well as Spanish, Italian, Azerbaijani, and French. She earned a B.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University and an M.B.A. in Finance from Virginia Polytechnic Institute.
Mazlum Kosma is a respected leader in higher education and in the Turkish-American community, recognized for nearly three decades of service at the Georgia Institute of Technology. From 1995 to 2023, he served as Assistant Director of Housing – Residence Life, where he played a central role in student development, residential programming, and campus cultural engagement. During his tenure, he also advised the Georgia Tech Ballroom Dance Club for more than 12 years, supporting students beyond the classroom. He retired from Georgia Tech in January 2024. Koşma has been equally active in strengthening Turkish-American civic life. He served as President of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) from January 2021 to May 2023, representing and advocating for the nationwide Turkish-American community at the national and international levels. Prior to that, he served as President of TACAGA – the Turkish American Cultural Association of Georgia from 2011 to 2015, where he helped expand cultural programming, outreach initiatives, and community visibility across Georgia. Known for his leadership, mentorship, and dedication to cultural diplomacy, Koşma continues to champion education, civic engagement, and cultural heritage as core values. His lifelong commitment has earned him the recognition and respect of both academic and diaspora communities in the United States.
Mehmet Ali Ozkan is a prominent Turkish media entrepreneur and the long-time chairman of Ajans Press, widely recognized as the architect behind the transformation of the company into Turkey’s leading media monitoring and analysis organization. Founded in 1953 as Bunt Kupür Derleme Firması, the company was acquired in 1975 by Erol Özkan and renamed Ajans Press. In 1992, Mehmet Ali Özkan assumed leadership of the organization, marking the beginning of a new era of growth and modernization. Under Özkan’s leadership, Ajans Press evolved from a traditional press clipping service into a comprehensive media intelligence platform serving major corporations, institutions, and public organizations across Turkey. Recognizing the rapid transformation of the media landscape, he spearheaded the company’s expansion into television monitoring and advanced media analytics following the emergence of private television broadcasting in 1993. Through continuous investment in technology and data analysis capabilities, Özkan positioned Ajans Press as a pioneer in media monitoring in Turkey. The company became known for integrating digital reporting tools and providing strategic media insights to thousands of organizations. Over the years, Ajans Press expanded its operations, built a large professional workforce, and established itself as one of the most influential players in the media intelligence sector. Today, Mehmet Ali Özkan is widely regarded as a visionary figure who helped shape the modern media monitoring industry in Turkey. His leadership transformed Ajans Press into a market leader and set new standards for media analysis, reporting technologies, and communications intelligence in the region.
Melih Bektas was born in Istanbul, Türkiye. He received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Yıldız Technical University and an MBA from Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island. He moved to the U.S. 20 years ago and has been actively serving the Turkish-American community in New England and throughout the U.S. He is a board member of the Turkish American Cultural Society of Rhode Island (TACSRI) and has been actively on the board for the last 10 years, serving as President between 2019–2021. He has also served the community as Representative, Board Member and Co-Chair of the Turkish American National Steering Committee (TASC) from 2021–2024. Currently he is the Chairman of the Turkish American Coalition Political Action Committee (TAC PAC) since 2024. Professionally, he is a licensed builder (residential-commercial), contractor, landlord, small business owner and has also had initiatives in the entertainment business. He is happily married to Merve, who is an attorney, and they have one child, Mehmet Alp.
Mona Diamond Sunshine is the former Honorary Consul of the Republic of Türkiye in the State of Georgia, a role she held with distinction for two decades. Appointed by the Government of Türkiye, she has been a tireless advocate for strengthening diplomatic, cultural, educational, medical, and economic ties between Türkiye and the United States, particularly within the Southeastern region. In addition to her consular duties, Ms. Sunshine is the Founder and former Chairman of the Turkish American Friendship Council (TAFC), an organization dedicated to promoting mutual understanding, collaboration, and enduring friendships between Turkish and American communities. Under her leadership, TAFC has served as an important platform for fostering dialogue, supporting cultural exchange, and advancing initiatives that bring together leaders from academia, medicine, business, and the arts. Ms. Sunshine is widely recognized for her philanthropic leadership and commitment to international cooperation, particularly in the field of healthcare and medical education. She is the founder of the Mona and Philip Sunshine Symposium, an annual academic and medical exchange program that connects leading institutions in the United States and Türkiye, including Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute and Koç University Hospital in Istanbul. The symposium promotes cutting-edge research, physician training, and global collaboration, with a focus on advancing cancer care. Throughout her career, Ms. Sunshine has been a passionate champion of cultural diplomacy, believing deeply in the power of personal relationships and shared values to strengthen international partnerships. Her work reflects a lifelong dedication to service, humanitarian values, and building bridges between nations. Ms. Sunshine resides in Georgia and continues to play an active role in diplomatic, philanthropic, and civic initiatives that advance friendship and cooperation between Türkiye and the United States.
Said Nurhan is a software engineering expert and long-time faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University, where he has been affiliated with the Software Engineering Institute (SEI). His work focuses on improving the quality and productivity of large-scale, mission-critical software systems, particularly in government and defense domains. Nurhan is widely known for his contributions to software process improvement, especially through the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) and the Team Software Process (TSP). In his talks and articles, he has highlighted the enormous economic cost of poor-quality software, noting that the U.S. alone loses an estimated $140 billion per year due to defective, cancelled, or reworked software projects, and has argued that disciplined engineering practices are essential to reversing this trend. He frequently lectures in Türkiye at major IT and project-management conferences, explaining how PSP/TSP and advanced SEI methods can reduce defects from roughly one error in every ten lines of code to levels suitable for high-reliability systems. Through his seminars for public institutions, banks, telecommunications providers, and defense organizations, Nurhan has encouraged Turkish industry to adopt world-class software engineering practices and compete more effectively in the global market.
Sevil Ozısık is a prominent immigration attorney and law-firm leader based in New York, with nearly three decades of experience advising major corporations, investors, and professionals on U.S. immigration strategy. She is the Managing Partner of Ozisik PLLC, where she oversees the firm’s nationwide employment-based immigration practice. Her work focuses on designing innovative immigration solutions for multinational companies across diverse industries including finance, manufacturing, technology, hospitality, transportation, education, and media. She provides high-level strategic counseling on U.S. immigration law, regulatory compliance, visa programs, and talent mobility. In addition to her leadership at Ozisik PLLC, she has served as Business Immigration Of Counsel at Barton LLP since 2012. Between 1998 and 2014, Özışık was Managing Partner at two leading immigration law firms, continuing to build expertise in all major work-visa categories (H-1B, L-1, E-1/E-2, O, P, TN, etc.) as well as permanent residency, extraordinary ability, and national-interest cases. Özışık has played an active and influential role in the Turkish-American business community. She served 12 years on the Board of the Turkish American Chamber of Commerce & Industry (TACCI), helping strengthen bilateral commercial ties between the U.S. and Türkiye. She was also selected to Türkiye’s Overseas Citizens Advisory Board (YTB), representing Turkish citizens in the United States as the only lawyer appointed to the board.
Suleyman Ecevit Sanlı was born in 1973 in Tarsus, Mersin. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Anadolu University and a Master’s degree in Financial Law from Marmara University. His career began in 1990 at the Ministry of Finance and Customs, where he served for 20 years in key customs directorates across Türkiye, including Istanbul and Mersin. During the last seven years of his public service, he was elected twice as Chairman of the Customs Examination Officers Association. In 2011, Şanlı transitioned to the private sector as a general manager before establishing Narin Customs Consultancy and Elsan Global Logistics Group in 2013. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of both companies, which operate in customs consultancy and international logistics services. Şanlı has also been deeply engaged in business and professional associations. He served as President of TÜMBİAD and as Vice President of TABA-AmCham for two terms. He was later elected President of TABA-AmCham to promote stronger Turkish-American trade and economic relations, a role he continues to hold today. Şanlı is active in multiple organizations, contributes articles to major media outlets, and frequently appears on economic and business television programs. He is currently continuing his studies at Istanbul University, speaks English, and is married with three daughters.
Sukru Elekdag is a distinguished Turkish diplomat, academic, and writer who has served in multiple high-level governmental and diplomatic roles over his career. Born in 1924, he studied Political Science and International Relations at prestigious institutions, later embarking on a long diplomatic career that positioned him as one of the leading figures in Turkish foreign affairs. He served as Türkiye’s Ambassador to the United States during a critical period, strengthening bilateral ties and representing Türkiye on the global stage. In addition to his ambassadorial duties, Elekdağ worked extensively within Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, contributing to foreign policy formulation, international negotiations, and diplomatic strategy. His expertise and deep understanding of global politics made him a key advisor on international issues. Beyond diplomacy, Elekdağ has been active academically — writing, lecturing, and publishing works on international relations, diplomacy, and Turkish foreign policy. Through his publications and public appearances, he helped shape modern discourse on Türkiye’s role in world affairs.
Tomris Azeri is the President of the Azerbaijan Society of America (ASA), one of the oldest Azerbaijani-American organizations in the United States, founded in 1957. Born and raised in the U.S., she has always carried a deep sense of cultural identity and pride in her Azerbaijani heritage. Guided by the values of her parents’ generation — who worked to preserve Azerbaijani culture in exile and believed that independence would one day be restored — she continues their mission of strengthening national consciousness among the diaspora. Under her leadership, ASA has remained committed to cultural preservation, advocacy, and community development. Most notably, she has spearheaded ASA’s educational initiatives in Azerbaijan, including the restoration of the historic Gazakh Teachers’ Seminary — the first mother-tongue school established by the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in 1918. In collaboration with ADA University and with the support of President Ilham Aliyev’s executive order, this project honors the legacy of the republic’s founding educators and ASA’s visionary founders. Azeri is widely recognized for reinforcing ties between Azerbaijan and Azerbaijani-Americans, ensuring future generations grow up knowing and loving their homeland. Through her leadership, she continues to promote unity, cultural pride, and a brighter future for Azerbaijan and its global diaspora.
Ulku Ulgur is a distinguished psychiatrist, clinician, and mental health leader with more than five decades of service in the United States. Born and educated in Türkiye, he completed his medical degree at the Istanbul University School of Medicine in 1959. He went on to pursue medical training in the U.S., completing his internship at Riverside Hospital in Virginia, followed by a Psychiatry Residency at Harrisburg and Delaware State Hospitals (1960–1963). He later completed a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (1963–1965). Dr. Ülgür served on the faculty of the University of Maryland School of Medicine for nearly 40 years, beginning in 1965. During this time, he held key leadership roles including Director of Children’s Residential Services and Director of Child Psychiatry Clinical Services, while teaching as Assistant Professor and later Clinical Assistant Professor until 2012. In 1984, Dr. Ülgür founded the Maryland Centers for Psychiatry, where he continues to provide clinical leadership and comprehensive mental health services. His centers offer multidisciplinary care for children, adolescents, and adults, emphasizing individualized, family-centered treatment approaches. Respected for his lifelong dedication to improving behavioral health outcomes, Dr. Ülgür has contributed significantly to the development of child and adolescent psychiatric services in Maryland and remains a guiding figure in the field. Dr. Ülgür is also recognized as the first President of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA) — establishing the foundation for nationwide organization and representation of Turkish Americans. His dedication has significantly strengthened community engagement, cultural identity, and advocacy across the diaspora. He remains a respected figure in both psychiatry and Turkish-American civic life.
Umran Beba works as a partner at August Leadership based in NY as an executive search, leadership, and culture consultant. She is an experienced senior business executive with general management, talent, and diversity background. Close to 35 years of experience in Consumer Goods Industry where 25 years was with PepsiCo in four distinct locations namely Istanbul, Hong Kong, Dubai, and New York. She was the Asia Pacific President of PepsiCo following president and general management roles in Southeast Europe, East Mediterranean /Middle East, and Türkiye. She has been in Chief HR Officer and Chief Diversity Officer roles in her career. Umran Beba is the co-Founder of the Beba Innovation and Entrepreneurship Foundation since 2018. She is an Independent Non-Executive Board Director in Bakkavor Group plc., and co-Vice Chair in the board of International Youth Foundation. She is an Advisory Board member of Mercy University Business School. She joined the board of BIS Integrated Solutions in Turkiye in 2023. She is the Leader of TÜSİAD New York Network Education Committee. She has launched a book called Leaders with Purpose in Turkish (Deger Yaratan Liderler) with her co-author Arzu Cekirge Paksoy in February 2022. She is a native of Turkiye and earned her MBA and Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Bogaziçi University in Istanbul. She has received Honorary Doctorate degree in Commercial Science from Mercy College in May 2022. She lives in Greenwich, Connecticut with her family.
Vahap Munyar is a prominent Turkish business journalist and former editor-in-chief of Hürriyet, one of Türkiye’s leading national newspapers. Born in 1958 in Malatya, he completed his primary and secondary education there before graduating from the Istanbul Academy of Economics and Commercial Sciences, today’s Marmara University Faculty of Communication, in 1980. Munyar entered journalism while still a student, starting in 1978 in a newspaper archive and then joining the Ankara News Agency (ANKA) Istanbul office in 1979. He later worked at Ulusal Basın Ajansı and the business daily Dünya. In 1984 he joined Hürriyet’s Economy Desk as a reporter, and after a period in England for language training on a government press scholarship, he served in editorial roles at Söz and Milliyet before returning to Hürriyet in 1992 as deputy economy editor and then economy editor, a position he held for 15 years. In April 2018 he was appointed editor-in-chief of Hürriyet, a role he held until his resignation on 31 October 2019 following mass layoffs at the paper. Munyar later returned to his roots in business journalism at Dünya and now writes for Ekonomim, where his column “İş Dünyasında Diyalog” focuses on Türkiye’s business community, industry leaders, and economic policy. He also serves as a vice president of the Turkish Journalists’ Association (TGC), reflecting his long-standing commitment to press freedom and professional standards in journalism.