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2017GalaGalaWednesday, May 31, 2017
583 Park AvenueNew York
The American Turkish Society Gala Dinner 2017Honoring Nevzat Aydın and Dr. Tamer Seçkin
PROGRaM
WelcomeMurat Köprülü
Chair, The American Turkish Society
Gala Chair GreetingDr. Mehmet Öz
Host, The Dr. Oz Show
award PresentationNevzat Aydın
Co-founder and CEOYemeksepeti
award PresentationDr. Tamer Seçkin
Founder Endometriosis Foundation of America
Young Society Leaders Award PresentationSerkan A. Elden
Chair, Young Society Leaders
dinneR COMMittee*
ChairDr. Mehmet Öz
Mustafa Kemal AbadanKamil Ekim Alptekin
Ümit Boyner & Cem BoynerDr. Michael Brodherson
Emel DilekHaluk Dinçer & Suzan Sabancı Dinçer
Bülent EczacıbaşıSerkan A. Elden
Dan FulopTümay Günaydın
Kağan Gürsel and Merve GürselAyşegül İldeniz
Barbaros Karaahmet & Parisa KaraahmetLawrence Kaye & Joan Kaye
Muhtar KentMurat KöprülüAlp Ozaman
Murat ÖzyeğinMetin Negrin & Valia Negrin
Mükemmel SarımsakçıElif SeçkinÜmit Taftalı
Arzuhan Doğan Yalçındağ & Mehmet Ali Yalçındağ
executive directorE. Janset Batıbay
*as of May 24, 2017
WeLCOMe
On behalf of The American Turkish Society, I would like to welcome you to our annual gala dinner celebrating the ties that naturally bring our nations together and honoring two extraordinary leaders.
This year we are pleased to present The American Turkish Society’s Philanthropy Awards
to Nevzat Aydın, co-founder and CEO of Yemeksepeti, and Dr. Tamer Seçkin, founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America. Both men have made important contributions to their fields and have made enormous impact on the lives of others through their philanthropic work. We are pleased to be in the vanguard of innovation in the nonprofit sector by highlighting the positive technological forces of accelerating change and progress embodied by our highly successful and talented honorees this year.
We are also delighted that Dr. Mehmet Öz has graciously agreed to join us to present the awards to our honorees.
Tonight, we are also pleased to introduce our Young Society Leaders Star of the Year and Honorary Awards, presented to two members of our Young Society Leaders group who have shown extraordinary commitment to shaping U.S.-Turkish relations.
The Society’s past gala dinners recognized the important contributions of the founders, executives and entrepreneurs of major U.S. and Turkish companies including Ford Motor Company, Koç Holding, Citi, Sabancı Holding, GE, Doğuş Group, The Coca-Cola Company, Anadolu Group, The New York Stock Exchange, Turkcell, Chobani, and FIBA Holding.
The American Turkish Society has been at the forefront of programs that enhance business, diplomatic, and cultural ties between Turkey and the United States for 68 years. We have convened leaders and experts to inform the U.S. public about Turkey’s current affairs, foreign policy, and economy and have provided exciting educational and cultural opportunities. We look forward to continuing to highlight 21st Century leaders in technology and philanthropy. Murat KöprülüChair, Board of Directors
GaLa ChaiR’s MessaGe
I have witnessed first-hand the remarkable power of Dr. Tamer Seçkin’s advances in female reproduction, especially the debilitating condition of endometriosis. His annual gala is a Woodstock for women who regained pain-free and fertile lives and loudly sing in unified praise about Dr. Seçkin. When almost 200 million women
worldwide benefit from advances championed by a Turkish American physician, we all feel appropriate pride and I applaud my friend for his tireless work in this area.
Nevzat Aydın’s praises are audible well beyond the boundaries of Turkey. As co-founder and CEO of Yemeksepeti, the leading online food delivery service in Turkey, Mr. Aydın had disrupted food distribution in Turkey and brought technology into an area vital for the health of our countrymen. His generosity in sharing his profits with employees also sets a high bar for other young entrepreneurs who recognize that money is only a tool. Since trust is the best legal performance enhancing drug, Nevzat is building a brand that will attract many collaborators.
Dr. Mehmet ÖzHost, The Dr. Oz Show
nevzat aydin
Nevzat Aydın is the co-founder and CEO of Yemeksepeti, the leading online food delivery service in Turkey, which operates in 64 Turkish cities and in Cyprus with more than 13,000 member restaurants, 6.4 million users, and 190,000 orders delivered to 400,000 people on a daily basis. In 2015, Yemeksepeti was acquired
by the German-based company Delivery Hero for $589 million. Following the sale of the company, Aydın generously shared $27 million with his employees as a profit-sharing bonus.
In 2007, Nevzat Aydın was selected an “Endeavor Entrepreneur” by Endeavor Turkey. In 2010, Aydın was named “The Most Successful Turkish Young Entrepreneur” by the CNBC-e Business magazine. In a recent survey conducted by Intel Turkey and Future Bright, Nevzat Aydın was identified as the top entrepreneurial role model by university students, ahead of Apple’s Steve Jobs and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg.
In 2013 and 2015, Aydın was ranked number one on Fortune Turkey’s 40 Under 40 list, which recognizes the country’s top young business leaders and innovators. He was among the 150 international entrepreneurs invited to participate in the Entrepreneurship Summit held by U.S. President Barack Obama in 2010.
Aydın has been a speaker at the Digital-Life-Design Conference, one of the world’s most prestigious conferences on innovation and developments in the digital world.
Aydın is a board member of Endeavor Turkey and TOBB (Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey) Young Entrepreneurs, member of TUSİAD (Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association), founding member of Galata Business Angels, Vice President of Trabzonspor Football Club, and is a trustee of Boğaziçi University.
dR. taMeR seçkin
Dr. Tamer Seçkin has committed himself to the treatment of the female reproductive system. He specializes in treating women with endometriosis. He is an internationally known specialist in minimally invasive advanced (laparoscopic) surgery.
As an active philanthropist and women’s advocate he is deeply committed to the research and treatment of endometriosis that is a painful reproductive disorder that affects 176 million women worldwide. It is a leading cause of infertility and chronic pelvic pain and has been linked to other health concerns too. In 2009, Dr. Seçkin founded, with Padma Lakshmi, the Endometriosis Foundation of America (EFA), an organization that works to raise awareness and emphasize the critical value of surgical excision of endometriosis. Under his guidance as Medical Director, the EFA strives to increase disease recognition, provide advocacy, facilitate expert surgical training, and fund landmark endometriosis research.
Dr. Seçkin is a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in recognition of his activities as a philanthropist and women’s health advocate and for his work establishing the EFA. He also was named one of America’s Super Doctors by The New York Times Magazine and he has received Lenox Hill Hospital’s Silver Star and Best Doctor awards. Dr. Seçkin’s pioneering technique for endometriosis surgery, the Seckin Aqua Blue Technique, has been officially recognized by the US patent and trademark office. He has authored scientific articles and book chapters on endometriosis, and is the author of The Doctor Will See You Now; Recognizing and Treating Endometriosis, Turner Publishing 2016.
Currently, Dr. Seçkin is working with the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research on a genetic research initiative to create the first endometriosis tissue bank in the United States. Dr. Seçkin is also a long-standing member of the Board of The American Turkish Society.
the ambassador series the funds raised at our Gala will be used to keep the conversations going! We are proud to present you with high-quality panel events. Our well-known, esteemed speakers stem from various backgrounds, including academia, think tanks, and the private sector. This level
of diversity among our speakers helps provide a richer and more robust exchange of ideas — difficult to find anywhere else.
ahmet ertegun Fellowship and arif Mardin Fellowship the funds raised at our Gala will be used to keep the music playing!“All of the performances and the education that I had at Juilliard made me a more versatile artist and helped
me to understand the world of opera better,” said Önay Köse of The Julliard School. Önay completed his degree in Opera Studies as one of our Ahmet Ertegun Memorial Scholars, which is granted to talented musicians of Turkish descent. The Scholarship continues Ertegün’s legacy of promoting talented Turkish artists. In addition, ATS supports The Arif Mardin Fellowship, which awards Turkish students a 5-week Summer Performance Program at the Berklee College of Music. Recent aspiring artist Mehmet Ali Simaylı said of his time at Berklee, “It was the most fun, educational, and valuable experience in music.”
summer Residency Program at sva the funds raised at our Gala will be used to keep the artists painting!“It was the most fruitful period in my life!” said painter and photographer Ahmet Albayrak when he was asked about his experience at the School of Visual Arts in New York. Each year, The School
of Visual Arts (SVA) offers Turkish artists a special scholarship that is supported by both The American Turkish Society and the SVA. The Summer Residency Program at SVA in New York offers distinguished artists the opportunity to work in a professional private studio while receiving individual critiques from the faculty. The grantee attends weekly lectures by guest artists, critics, and gallery directors. At the culmination of the program, the grantee is able to showcase his or her work in an exhibition in Midtown Manhattan.
Moon and stars Project Grants the funds raised at our Gala will be used to keep the creativity flowing!The Moon and Stars Project Grants are dedicated to promoting Turkish arts and culture. ATS awards competitive grants that support emerging and established artists in an effort to
promote cross-cultural dialogue between the United States and Turkey. In August 2016, ATS supported the US debut of the Zeynep Tanbay Dance Project at the Thirty-Fifth Annual Battery Dance Festival, in New York City. The Festival brings together dancers from around the world and attracts more than 10,000 people.
Curriculum development Grants the funds raised at our Gala will be used to keep the Pages turning! The purpose of our Curriculum Development Grants program is to enhance awareness and understanding of Turkey in classrooms across the nation. The grants are used to provide
US-based educators with the necessary tools to develop specific Turkish related curricula in the fields of history, arts, and culture. Since 2010, we have been working with Sağlık ve Eğitim Vakfı (SEV), or the Health and Education Foundation of Turkey, by supporting over 50 teachers and benefiting more than 12,000 American students.
networking events the funds raised at our Gala will be used to keep our Community together!We coordinate networking events for like-minded people in the Turkish-American community who are seeking
to explore potential synergies and opportunities that help build social and business ties between the two countries. We’re proud to be the agency providing the premier platform for such social events.
the aMeRiCan tuRkish sOCiety PROGRaMs and GRants
the aMeRiCan tuRkish sOCiety2017 GaLa aCknOWLedGeMents
Platinum Benefactors
Dr. Tamer & Elif SeçkinTAIK
Yemeksepeti
Gold BenefactorsMrs. Mica Ertegün
The Related CompaniesSabancı Holding A.S.
silver BenefactorsAlterra International
Boyner GrupEczacıbaşı HoldingFIBA Group HoldingFifth Avenue Urology
Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLPGeneral Atlantic Foundation
Herrick, Feinstein LLP Kanal D
Kiska Construction/Marmara HotelsSuna & İnan Kıraç Foundation
Turkish AirlinesTurkish Philanthropy Funds
Platinum supportersThe Coca-Cola Company
Murat GüzelSavoy Bank
Gold supportersHurriyet Hosseini
silver supportersÇetin AmatoAlp BaysalAli BebaMike Bell
Erdoğan Çeşmeli Antonio Ellek
Murat EmirdağDr. Sandra Gelbard
Petek GünaySami GüralOzan Gürel
Monica HalemAyşegul İldenizMathew James
John KaplanKSK Construction Group, LLC
Andrew LittlejohnGrace Lossa
Patricia and Edward Mills Mete Özeren
Gülay Oğuzcan & Faruk TulunZuhal ÖzgülHakan ŞahinZeynep SanlıBruce Yaffee
as of May 24, 2017
sPeCiaL thanks
We would like to thank the following individuals and their teams for their crucial assistance
the american turkish society staffBrian Seavitt
Gala CoordinatorKristin Holcomb Events
volunteersAylin AkkayaAtakan Çelik
Kasia BednarowiczEmrah Dinç
Esat EfendigilDeniz EkmekçiEsra Haessler
Şeniz InceEmre Kantarcı
Carmenza MinottaAlptekin Tombuloğlu
Zeynep ÜnalAhmet Yörüklü
Graphic designCZ Design
Tümay Günaydın
décorBotanica, Inc.
entertainmentJoey Morant & Catfish Stew
dr. tamer seckin Film ProductionSplash Studios, Inc.
Photography/videoAndrew Werner Photography
after Party dJClaudius Raphael
the aMeRiCan tuRkish sOCiety BOaRd OF diReCtORs
ChairMurat Köprülü
The American Turkish Society
vice-ChairsLawrence M. Kaye
Herrick, Feinstein LLP
Ümit TaftalıSuna & İnan Kıraç Foundation
treasurerMetin NegrinLexin Capital
directorsÜmit BoynerBoyner Grup
Haluk DinçerSabancı Holding
Aysegül İldenizSilver Spring Networks
Muhtar KentThe Coca-Cola Company
Murat ÖzyeğinFIBA Group Holding
Mükemmel SarımsakçıAlterra Worldwide
Dr. Tamer SeçkinEndometriosis Foundation of America
Arzuhan Doğan YalçındağDoğan Group
Founded in 1949 by a group of visionaries, The American Turkish Society is the oldest American institution dedicated to building bridges between the United States and Turkey in order to achieve common goals of peace and prosperity.
The Society’s mission is to foster understanding and cooperation between the two countries through education, the arts, cultural exchange, networking, philanthropy, and humanitarian aid; and prepare the next generation of visionaries through its Young Society Leaders program.
The American Turkish Society is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, registered in New York State. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
The American Turkish Society1460 BroadwaySuite 10023New York, NY 10036Tel: 646.434.4409Fax: 646.434.4405info@americanturkishsociety.orgwww.americanturkishsociety.org
@followturkey
@AmericanTurkishSociety
@theamericanturkishsociety
The American Turkish Society
#ATSGALA2017
the yOunG sOCiety LeadeRs
The American Turkish Society’s “young society Leaders” (YSL) program consists of a select, diverse and powerful network of young business leaders. The program aims to nurture these leaders with mentorship programs in the fields of business, economy, foreign policy and culture both in the United States and in Turkey. Through such programs, YSL strives to make an impact on issues that are critical to the American-Turkish community.
YSL has over 100 members who were nominated and selected in classes from years 2011 to 2016. The program will continue to expand its base and its effectiveness with innovative series of events and projects in the upcoming years.
For more information:
serkan elden, [email protected]
e. Janset Batibay, executive [email protected]
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 201710:00 PM TO 1:00 AM
583 PARK AVENUE, NEW YORK
featuring the music of DJ
2017Cocktails ancing& D
THE AMERICAN TURKISH SOCIETY
BLACK TIE OPTIONAL
CLAUDIUS RAPHAEL
THE ARCADE
THE AMERICAN TURKISH SOCIETY
GalaGalaGalaAFTER PARTY
