The 50 Most Influential Turkish-Americans Award Ceremony was held at Marriott Marquis Hotel, New York. The Award Ceremony was organized by TURKOFAMERICA Magazine and TOA Consulting.
TURKOFAMERICA Magazine had selected the most influential Turkish-Americans first time ever in 2014. The 50 names are in different areas such as business, professional, politics, art, culture, non-profit, philanthropy, sport, music and so on. The Most Influential list is that the people on it are from 19 different states, from California to Florida, Georgia to Nevada. So, we have not only focused on the state in which we are based. In addition to having a Turkish heritage, the influential people have Armenian, Assyrian, Kurdish, Bosnian, Cypriot, Arabian, Jewish, and Christian heritages as well.
The award ceremony was held at New York Marriott Marquis Hotel, one of the prestigious hotels of New York City. Almost 300 people were participated including Deputy Ambassador Levent Eler, New York Consul General Ertan Yalcin, Eric Adams, Brooklyn Borough President, Demet Sabanci Cetindogan, President of Demsa A.S., Eren & Fatih Ozmen, Founders of Sierra Nevada Corp, Musician Fahir Atakoglu, and so many distinguished guests.
The attendees were presented with a video of Congresswomen Yvette Clarke, congratulating the awardees and the TOA Team for their efforts in making such an evening possible to praise the achievements of young Turkish-Americans. During her opening speech, Perihan Inci, Board Member of Inci Holding drew attention to the achievement of women in particular and the role played by education and families in one’s upbringing and further setting the stage for applaud-able achievements. William Parker, COO of the East West Institute and retired US Navy Officer, was among the opening speakers with a remarkable speech. Among the most influential speakers of the night was Jessica Walker, President of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, and Emine Perviz Erdem, KAGIDER & GENPA Board Member.
Turkish-American women have inspired millions of Americans and now, for the first time, TURKOFAMERICA selected the most influential Turkish-American Women list. To name the influential women, the TURKOFAMERICA team has read hundreds of resumes, searched hundreds of websites, made several interviews. The list includes extraordinary entrepreneurs and visionary CEOs, celebrity role models and pioneer philanthropists who are transforming the world. The participants of the gala also celebrated the International Women’s Day as well.
To award the successful Turkish-American role models, the Award Ceremony was held on March 17th, Thursday 2016 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, New York where 30 influential women leaders from across the U.S. competed in 30 categories to be crowned the winner. The night honored the world-famous Dr Mehmet Oz.
Ertan Yalçın, Turkish Consulate General of New York, Arzuhan Doğan Yalçındağ, Chairperson of Doğan TV Holding, Hamdi Ulukaya, Founder of Chobani, Vuslat Doğan Sabancı, Chairwoman of Hurriyet, President of Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Nancy Ploeger, Turkish Philanthropy Funds Chairman Mustafa K. Abadan, a delegate of Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey (KAGIDER) and Women and Democracy Association (KADEM) participated in the award ceremony. 24 of 30 influential Turkish-American women from 13 different states were present at the award ceremony.
TOA was able to shape an unforgettable event for the Turkish American community of not only New York, but also California, Washington DC and many other states. The ceremony awarded 40 Turkish-Americans under 40, individuals who are the most successful in their own fields; from real estate to art, and technology to finance. The event took place at the Marriott Marquis Time Square’s Broadway Ballroom.
Besides drawing attention to the achievement of 40 young Turks, the event was also successful in being able to collect a large sum for the Turkish Philanthropy Funds through a live auction which Cuneyt Gurkan, Chief Operating Officer of TOA Consulting performed on stage. Turkish Philanthropy Funds is an organization seeking to maximize the impact of giving, with a particular focus on Turkey and an aim of taking philanthropy beyond the “feel good” into significant and measurable impact.
The evening, after the cocktail reception, commenced with Cemil Ozyurt, Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of TurkofAmerica Magazine, making the opening remarks, followed by Cuneyt Gurkan’s speech welcoming the awardees and honorees of the night. The attendees were presented with a video of Congresswomen Yvette Clarke, congratulating the awardees and the TOA Team for their efforts in making such an evening possible to praise the achievements of young Turkish-Americans.
During her opening speech, Perihan Inci, Board Member of Inci Holding drew attention to the achievement of women in particular and the role played by education and families in one’s upbringing and further setting the stage for applaud-able achievements. William Parker, COO of the East West Institute and retired US Navy Officer, was among the opening speakers with a remarkable speech. Among the most influential speakers of the night was Jessica Walker, President of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, and Emine Perviz Erdem, KAGIDER & GENPA Board Member.
The winners of TOA awards, organized by TURKOFAMERICA, the only Turkish magazine published since 2002 in the US, along with TOA Consulting, have been announced. This year, 39 “American Friends of Turkey” received awards in 32 different categories in a ceremony held at Harvard Club on May 30, 2018.
In previous years, TURKOFAMERICA, in partnership with TOA Consulting, awarded ”The Most 50 Influential Turkish-Americans”, ”The Most Successful 30 Turkish-American Women,” and most recently, “40 Turkish-Americans Under 40.’’ This year, “American Friends of Turkey” received their awards.
The event, supported by Turkish Philanthropy Funds and Turkish Airlines, honored a number of special people, including: Ertan Yalcin, Turkish Consul General of New York; Ryan Zinke, the U.S. Interior Secretary General; Lola Zinke, wife of American Interior Minister Ryan Zinke; Michael E. McMahon, District Attorney for Richmond County; Liz Morhaim on behalf of Dan Morhaim, Maryland State Delegates; Khush Choksy, Senior Vice President for Middle East and Turkey Affairs at the U.S Chamber of Commerce; Mona Diamond, Turkish Republic Honorary Consul General of Atlanta; Deborah A Hazell, CEO HSBC Global Asset Management (US), Regional Head, Americas; Andrew F. Littlejohn, Executive Director, JP Morgan; William J. Parker III, COO of East West Institute; James Sparks, President of the American Borate Company; George Schieber, the founder of The Sena Eken Schieber fund; Katharine Branning, Author of ‘’Yes I Would Love Another Glass of Tea’’; and Dr. Brian Rose, The James B. Pritchard Professor of Archaeology.
TURKOFAMERICA Magazine, which has been awarding successful people of the United States in different categories since 2015, honors the year’s successful people in different fields from diplomacy to business, academy to entrepreneurship.
5th TOA Outstanding Achievement Awards (Outstanding Achievement Awards, Heritage + Diversity + Legacy + Business) ceremony presented by TOA Consulting and U.S. Chamber of Commerce is held at U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s historic building in Washington DC on November 15, 2019. The award ceremony showcased the artworks of three artists.
This year’s award winners are among 12 different names such as Ryan Zinke, former United States Secretary of the Interior; Elin Suleymanov, Ambassador of Republic of Azerbaijan to the United States; Ümran Beba, Pepsico Inc Chief Global Diversity Engagement & Talent Officer; Murat Özgener, CEO of Oz Arts Nashville; Kemal Erkan, known for his work in the field of electronic medical records and one of the founders of the largest private health network system in Delaware and the Mid-Atlantic region; Dr. Gökhan Gündoğdu, Senior Advisor to Executive President to Atlantic Council and Chairman Gundogdu Foundation; James Hughes, President and CEO of Unity Bank; businessman İzzet Pinto, founder of Global Agency; G. Lincoln McCurdy, President of Turkish Coalition of America; Mehmet Mustafaoğlu, Founder and CEO of Trans Global Financial Corp and first recipient of Ellis Island Medal of Honor; and businessman Mustafa Tuncer, known for his companies in the natural stone, media and retail sectors in the United States. Özer Güler, Turkish Airlines General Manager of Washington, DC was also awarded with a special thanks plaque.