TOA Awards 2026 Announces The 100 Most Influential Turkish Americans
- Written by Admin TOA
- Published in Associations
NEW YORK / NEW JERSEY — The winners of the TOA Awards 2026, established to recognize members of the Turkish-American community who have distinguished themselves through achievement, pioneering work and contributions to the communities in which they live and work, have been announced. The final list is the result of a comprehensive process spanning more than six months, involving evaluations by a 23-member jury and a 16-member Selection Committee. Candidates were evaluated within their respective categories, and the number of honorees selected in each category was determined based on the size of the candidate pool, jury evaluations and the overall results of the selection process. This year, 100 individuals across 24 categories have been selected as TOA Awards 2026 honorees.
From Nobel Laureates to Global Entrepreneurs
The 2026 list reflects the remarkable breadth of influence and achievement that the Turkish-American community has attained across the United States.
In the Lifetime Achievement category, Nobel Prize-winning scientist Aziz Sancar and former Coca-Cola CEO and distinguished global business leader Muhtar Kent are among this year’s honorees.
Science, Research & Academia emerged as one of the strongest categories of the year. Nobel Prize-winning economist Daron Acemoğlu is joined by Gökhan Hotamışlıgil, Dani Rodrik, Canan Dağdeviren, Aydoğan Özcan, Mehmet Toner, İvet Bahar, Feryal Özel, Ali Erdemir, Asuman Özdağlar, Bilge Yıldız, Murat Günel, Engin Kırda and Selçuk Şirin.
In CEO & Founders, one of the most prominent business categories, the honorees include Fatih Özmen, Hamdi Ulukaya, Eren Özmen, Eren Bali, Osman Kibar, Magdalena Yeşil, Oğuzhan Atay, Murat Özgener and Aydın Şenkut, among other accomplished leaders who have made their mark in the United States and on the global business stage.
In Policy, Government & Public Administration, Dr. Mehmet Öz, Tayfun Selen and Seval Öz were selected, while Timur Cüceloğlu Yarnall, Egemen Taş and Hande Çilingir were recognized in Technology & Futures.
In arts and culture, Refik Anadol, Gizem Salçığıl White, Barbaros Tapan and Emre Şahin were selected in the Arts & Culture category, while Fahir Atakoğlu and Pınar Toprak were recognized in Performing Arts.
In sports, NBA star Alperen Şengün, who has emerged as one of Turkey’s most prominent representatives on the international sports stage, was named the honoree in the Sports & Athletic category.
Arda Öcal and Cenk Uygur were recognized in Media; Deniz Beyazıt in Cultural Heritage; and Dr. Selda Günsel, Tolga Kurtoğlu and Murat Genç in CTO & CIO.
The list also brings together Turkish-American success stories across finance, law, real estate, healthcare, hospitality and tourism, nonprofit leadership, community leadership and young professional achievement.
The Next Generation Takes the TOA Awards Stage
In the Under 30 category, which aims to recognize and encourage the next generation of accomplished Turkish Americans, Ali Sarılgan, Tuğçe Ergül, Anya Özmen and Lara Özkan were selected as 2026 honorees.
In Women in Business, Derya Taşkın, Neslihan Hıdırliğil and Kerime Ataker were recognized for their achievements and contributions to the business community.
TOA Founders’ Recognition Awards Presented Beyond the Top 100
In addition to the 100 honorees selected through the jury evaluation process, TOA Awards 2026 will present TOA Founders’ Recognition Awards to individuals whose exceptional achievements, leadership and contributions in specific fields merit special recognition.
This year, Ali Berke Ayazlı and Dinçer Ocak will receive the Excellence in Business Leadership & Entrepreneurship recognition; Ali Rıza Doğan, the Humanitarian Service & Community Compassion Award; Emre Uğurlu, the Under 30 – Cybersecurity Leadership & Innovation Award; Hakan İnan, Excellence in Industrial Leadership; Mustafa Tuncer, the Transatlantic Entrepreneurship Award; Orhan Genceli, Hospitality Excellence; Serdar Ali Çelikler, the Excellence in Sports Media & Commentary Award; Serdar İlhan, Excellence in Entertainment & Cultural Promotion; and Ziya Keskin, the Global Standards & Certification Leadership Award.
These special recognitions are separate from the jury-selected list of 100 honorees and are presented by the founders of TOA Awards to acknowledge individuals whose noteworthy contributions and accomplishments deserve additional recognition.
Cemil Özyurt: “This list is a reflection of the diversity and reach of the Turkish-American community”
TOA Awards Founder Cemil Özyurt commented on the selection process, which lasted more than six months:
“We do not see TOA Awards simply as an awards ceremony. Our goal is to create a platform that documents the achievements of Turkish Americans in science, technology, entrepreneurship, arts, public service, academia, sports and many other fields, while preserving and passing these success stories on to future generations. When we look at the 2026 list, we see an exceptionally strong picture—from Nobel laureates and founders of global companies to academics, artists, public officials and young entrepreneurs.”
Özyurt also thanked the members of the jury and Selection Committee for their contributions throughout the process:
“This list was not created through decisions made by a handful of people over a short period of time. Our 23 jury members and 16-member Selection Committee worked with tremendous dedication for more than six months. Evaluating hundreds of candidates was not an easy task. I would like to personally thank every member of our jury and Selection Committee for contributing their perspectives, experience and expertise. Their dedication is invaluable to the credibility and reputation of the TOA Awards.”
Özyurt added:
“I also want to emphasize that there are many exceptionally accomplished individuals who could not be included in the final list of 100. Our purpose is not to suggest that one person is more valuable than another. Our mission is to make the achievements of the Turkish-American community visible from the broadest possible perspective and to celebrate those achievements.”
Awards Ceremony to Be Held at The Venetian on November 17
The TOA Awards 2026 Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at The Venetian in New Jersey.
Bringing together distinguished figures from science, business, technology, arts, media, academia, public administration, finance, law, healthcare, real estate, tourism and the nonprofit sector, the evening is expected to be one of the most comprehensive gatherings of the Turkish-American community in 2026.
For sponsorship opportunities, corporate participation and table reservations:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
201-250-4376
TOA AWARDS 2026 – THE 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL TURKISH AMERICANS
100 Honorees Across 24 Categories
1. Arts & Culture
Gizem Salçığıl White, Refik Anadol, Barbaros Tapan, Emre Şahin
2. Business & Entrepreneurship
Selin Kurnaz, Bülent Başol, Selçuk Atlı, Evren Özkaya, İsmail Alptekin, Ayla Annaç
3. CEO & Founders
Fatih Özmen, Hamdi Ulukaya, Eren Özmen, Eren Bali, Osman Kibar, Magdalena Yeşil, Oğuzhan Atay, Murat Özgener, Aydın Şenkut, Ahmet Okumuş, Tümay Başaranlar, Varol Ablak, Emre Imamoglu
4. Community Leadership
Hülya Koç, Hüseyin Bayram
5. CTO & CIO
Dr. Selda Günsel, Tolga Kurtoğlu, Murat Genç
6. Cultural Heritage
Deniz Beyazıt
7. Lifetime Achievement
Aziz Sancar, Muhtar Kent
8. Finance & Banking
Melis Kahya Akar, Gökçen Aygenç
9. Hospitality Excellence
Zach Erdem, Burak Karaçam, Hakkı Akdeniz
10. Hospitality & Tourism
Gül Göknar Türkmenoğlu, Suzan Toprak, A. Cem Erenler
11. Law Enforcement
Yeşim Karaman, Yakup Zoklu
12. Legal Advisory & Corporate Law
Fejir Uğurlu, Barbaros Karaahmet, Aydın S. Çağinalp, Ömer Er
13. Media
Arda Öcal, Cenk Uygur
14. Policy, Government & Public Administration
Dr. Mehmet Öz, Tayfun Selen, Seval Öz
15. Professional Excellence
Pınar Kip Williamson, Ezgi Çubukçu, Selim Batıbay, Göksu Yolaç, Didem Nişancı, Uğur Çaymaz, Ülkü Rowe, Aylin Uysal, Özgür Karaosmanoğlu, Gizem Öztürk, Hande Aksoy, Solita Marcelli, Turgut Kışınbay, Serhan Seçmen
16. Real Estate Investment & Developers
Ersal Özdemir, Izak Senbahar, Yusuf Ceylan, Erol Devli, Fehmi Karahan
17. Science, Research & Academia
Daron Acemoğlu, Gökhan Hotamışlıgil, Dani Rodrik, Canan Dağdeviren, Aydoğan Özcan, Mehmet Toner, İvet Bahar, Feryal Özel, Ali Erdemir, Asuman Özdağlar, Bilge Yıldız, Murat Günel, Engin Kırda, Selçuk Şirin
18. Sports & Athletic
Alperen Şengün
19. Technology & Futures
Timur Cüceloğlu Yarnall, Egemen Taş, Hande Çilingir
20. Women in Business
Derya Taşkın, Neslihan Hıdırliğil, Kerime Ataker
21. Healthcare & Medicine
Kemal Erkan, Arda Ural
22. Nonprofit & Philanthropy Leader
Mehmet L. Kırdar, Halil İbrahim Demir
23. Performing Arts
Fahir Atakoğlu, Pınar Toprak
24. Under 30
Ali Sarılgan, Tuğçe Ergül, Anya Özmen, Lara Özkan
TOA FOUNDERS’ RECOGNITION AWARDS
In addition to the 100 honorees selected through the jury evaluation process, TOA Awards 2026 will present TOA Founders’ Recognition Awards to individuals who have distinguished themselves through exceptional achievement, leadership and contributions to their respective fields.
Ali Berke Ayazlı — Excellence in Business Leadership & Entrepreneurship
Ali Rıza Doğan — Humanitarian Service & Community Compassion Award
Dinçer Ocak — Excellence in Business Leadership & Entrepreneurship
Emre Uğurlu — Under 30 – Cybersecurity Leadership & Innovation Award
Hakan İnan — Excellence in Industrial Leadership
Mustafa Tuncer — Transatlantic Entrepreneurship Award
Orhan Genceli — Hospitality Excellence
Serdar Ali Çelikler — Excellence in Sports Media & Commentary Award
Serdar İlhan — Excellence in Entertainment & Cultural Promotion
Ziya Keskin — Global Standards & Certification Leadership Award
TOA Awards 2026 Ceremony
Tuesday, November 17, 2026 – The Venetian, New Jersey
For sponsorship opportunities, corporate participation and table reservations: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 201-250-4376
