TOA Awards 2026 Finalists - NextGen Leadership (Under 30)

## Ali Sarılgan

**Founder & CEO, TrueMeter**

Ali Sarılgan is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TrueMeter, an AI-powered energy technology company transforming how multi-location businesses manage electricity costs. A Stanford University graduate and former McKinsey & Company consultant, he launched TrueMeter to help commercial businesses automatically identify billing errors, recover utility savings, and optimize energy expenses without requiring upfront investment. His company has already saved clients millions of dollars while advancing the use of artificial intelligence in sustainable energy management. Previously recognized on the **Forbes 30 Under 30** list, Ali represents a new generation of entrepreneurs applying cutting-edge technology to solve large-scale business challenges.

**Profile:** https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-sarilgan/

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## Anya Özmen

**Founder, Gameer**

Anya Özmen is a technology entrepreneur building the future of artificial intelligence and digital learning. After moving to the United States from Türkiye at the age of 18, she graduated from Loyola Marymount University before launching multiple successful ventures. She founded **Redvest**, a gamified financial education platform serving more than one million users across forty countries, and later founded **Gameer**, an AI-powered platform capable of generating playable games from simple text prompts in under one minute. Named to **Forbes 30 Under 30**, Anya continues to push the boundaries of AI-driven creativity and educational technology.

**Profile:** https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2026/education?profile=anya-ozmen

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## Can Üncü

**Co-Founder, Asepha**

Can Üncü is the Co-Founder of Asepha, an innovative healthcare technology company using artificial intelligence to modernize pharmacy operations. The company's platform automates prescription processing, medical coding, fax management, and patient communications, allowing pharmacists to dedicate more time to patient care. Since its launch, Asepha has raised more than $4 million and continues to transform healthcare workflows through intelligent automation. Can's work demonstrates how AI can improve efficiency while enhancing the quality of healthcare delivery.

**Profile:** https://www.forbes.com/profile/asepha/?list=30under30-healthcare/

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## Demir Akar

**Founder, Emergent Minds Lab**

Demir Akar is an emerging scientist, entrepreneur, and community leader whose work bridges artificial intelligence, biomedical research, and youth leadership. A student at Bergen County Academies, he has conducted research with the Cleveland Clinic in computational biology and drug-response modeling while also founding **Emergent Minds Lab**, a platform connecting students, researchers, and technology leaders through conferences and educational initiatives. His leadership has inspired hundreds of young people to pursue careers in science, artificial intelligence, and innovation.

**Profile:** https://emlabs.org/

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## Ela Er

**Founder, Students x Services Spotlight & Ela For Students**

Ela Er is an award-winning student leader and nonprofit founder committed to empowering young people through mentorship, education, and community engagement. She established **Students x Services Spotlight**, connecting thousands of students with volunteer and leadership opportunities, and later launched **Ela For Students**, providing free mentorship and educational guidance to students worldwide. Her initiatives have reached hundreds of thousands of young people through digital platforms and earned formal recognition from the Massachusetts State House for outstanding community service.

**Profile:** *(Official LinkedIn or website to be added.)*

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## Emre Uğurlu

**Head of Security GRC, Plaid**

Emre Uğurlu is one of the rising cybersecurity leaders in the financial technology industry. As Head of Security Governance, Risk, and Compliance at Plaid, he leads enterprise-wide security strategy, risk management, customer trust, and regulatory compliance. Throughout his career at Plaid, Docker, Broadridge Financial Solutions, and Rhymetec, he has developed large-scale security automation systems that have significantly improved operational efficiency while protecting billions of dollars in digital financial infrastructure. His leadership reflects the growing role of artificial intelligence and automation in cybersecurity.

**Profile:** https://www.linkedin.com/in/emre-ugurlu-48596b116

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## Erin Çeşmeli

**Private Credit Analyst, Deutsche Bank**

Erin Çeşmeli is a rising finance professional whose achievements span investment banking, civic leadership, and public advocacy. After graduating early from the University of Chicago, she joined Deutsche Bank as one of the youngest professionals in its private credit team. Beyond finance, Erin has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to public service, contributing to advocacy efforts that helped end child marriage in Massachusetts while earning recognition through the Bank of America Student Leaders Program and the American Legion National Oratorical Competition.

**Profile:** https://www.linkedin.com/in/erincesmeli---

## Erdem Bıyık

**Assistant Professor of Computer Science & Electrical Engineering, University of Southern California**

Dr. Erdem Bıyık is an Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California and one of the rising stars in artificial intelligence and robotics. His research focuses on human-centered AI, robot learning, reinforcement learning, and autonomous systems that safely collaborate with people. Before joining USC, he conducted research at Google and Aselsan and earned international recognition through award-winning publications presented at leading AI and robotics conferences, including NeurIPS, RSS, CoRL, and HRI. His laboratory has secured more than $2 million in competitive research funding, positioning him among the most promising young researchers shaping the future of intelligent robotics.

**Profile:** https://ebiyik.github.io/

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## Lara Özkan

**Marshall Scholar | University of Cambridge | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)**

Lara Özkan is an exceptional young scientist whose academic achievements place her among the most accomplished researchers of her generation. A United States Presidential Scholar and graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), she conducted pioneering research at MIT CSAIL and the MIT Media Lab, contributing to advances in Alzheimer's disease research, wearable medical technologies, and women's health innovation. Awarded the prestigious Marshall Scholarship, she is currently pursuing graduate research in genetics at the University of Cambridge before beginning her Ph.D. at Harvard University. Her interdisciplinary work spans computational biology, artificial intelligence, genomics, and biomedical engineering, while her commitment to mentorship and science education continues to inspire future generations of researchers.

**Profile:** https://www.linkedin.com/in/lara-ozkan/

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## Melodi Damla Taş

**Founder & President, Turkish American Kids Association of San Antonio (TAKA-SA)**

Melodi Damla Taş is an outstanding student leader dedicated to community service, cultural engagement, and youth empowerment. As Founder and President of the Turkish American Kids Association of San Antonio (TAKA-SA), she has created educational and cultural initiatives that strengthen connections among young Turkish Americans while promoting volunteerism and leadership. An honors student with a perfect academic record, she is actively involved in healthcare, public service, debate, and civic engagement. Her leadership reflects a strong commitment to preserving cultural heritage while preparing future generations for success.

**Profile:** https://turknetwork.us/college-resume-101-how-to-showcase-the-real-you/

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## Mert Canatan

**Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Florida**

Dr. Mert Canatan is an emerging researcher specializing in artificial intelligence, digital twins, computational modeling, and sustainable engineering. His doctoral research at the University of Florida developed advanced digital twin technologies that combine machine learning, computational fluid dynamics, and computer vision to improve food supply chain efficiency. A member of Sigma Xi, the international scientific research honor society, he continues to contribute to AI-driven engineering solutions supported by USDA and NVIDIA research initiatives. His interdisciplinary work demonstrates the growing role of intelligent systems in solving global sustainability challenges.

**Profile:** https://mertcanatan.github.io/

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## Murat Ersin

**Attorney | President, New England Turkish Student Association (NETSA)**

Murat Ersin is an attorney and community leader whose work bridges legal practice, civic engagement, and Turkish American youth leadership. After completing legal education in both Türkiye and the United States, he became President of the New England Turkish Student Association (NETSA), leading one of the region's most active Turkish-American student organizations. Through professional networking events, educational programs, and community initiatives, he has helped strengthen collaboration among students and young professionals while promoting civic participation and leadership within the Turkish American community.

**Profile:** https://www.linkedin.com/in/murat-kerem-ersin/

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## Tuğçe Ergül

**Founding Partner, Hypernova**

Tuğçe Ergül is an internationally recognized venture capitalist and entrepreneur whose work has helped shape startup ecosystems across the globe. A recipient of **Forbes 30 Under 30**, **Fortune 40 Under 40**, and a member of the **Milken Institute Young Leaders Circle**, she is the Founding Partner of Hypernova, an innovative venture capital fund investing in high-performing technology funds and breakthrough startups. Previously, she led Angel Labs, advising more than 600 family offices and corporations across 44 countries on venture capital investments totaling over $400 million. Through her leadership in venture capital, innovation, and technology policy, she has become one of the most influential young investors connecting entrepreneurs with global opportunities.

**Profile:** https://sifted.eu/articles/hypernova-fund