Güler Sabancı facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Güler Sabancı
Born	1955 (age 69–70) Adana, Turkey
Education	Business administration
Alma mater	Boğaziçi University
Occupation	Chair
Organization	Sabancı Foundation Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum
Parent(s)	İhsan Sabancı Yüksel (Tarcan) Sabancı
Relatives	Sakıp Sabancı (uncle)

Güler Sabancı, born in 1955, is a very important businesswoman from Turkey. She is part of the Sabancı family, which is well-known for its businesses and charity work. Güler Sabancı leads several important organizations. These include the Sabancı Foundation, Sabancı University, and the Sakıp Sabancı Museum. In 2024, Forbes magazine listed her as one of the most powerful women in the world.

Early Life and Education

Güler Sabancı was born in 1955 in Adana, Turkey. Her parents were İhsan Sabancı and Yüksel Sabancı. She was their first child. Güler went to high school at TED Ankara College in Ankara. After that, she studied business administration at Boğaziçi University in Istanbul.

Starting Her Career

In 1978, Güler Sabancı began her career. She started at LasSA, a company that makes tires. This company was part of her family's business group. She worked in Kocaeli Province. Later, she became the general manager of another company called KordSA. She held this important job for 14 years. After that, Güler Sabancı joined the board of directors at Sabancı Holding. She was in charge of the tires and reinforcement materials group. She also helped with human resources, which means looking after the company's employees.

Leading the Sabancı Group

Güler Sabancı has held many different roles within the Sabancı Group. She started in tire manufacturing. Now, she continues to lead the Sabancı Foundation as its Chair. She is also the Founding Chair of the Sabancı University Board of Trustees. Additionally, she chairs the Board of Directors for the Sakıp Sabancı Museum. Through her work, she helps Turkey become more modern. She also supports social development through charity, education, and the arts.

Güler Sabancı is a unique leader. She is the first and only woman member of the European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT). This is a group of top business leaders in Europe. In October 2013, Fortune magazine named her the second most powerful woman in business outside the USA. She has received many awards for her charity work and leadership. These include the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award and the Clinton Global Citizen Award.

In 2012, Güler Sabancı was asked to join the board of the United Nations Global Compact. This is a high-level group that advises the UN. It includes people from business, charities, and worker organizations.

Awards and Honors

Güler Sabancı has received many awards and honors for her contributions.

Recognitions and Prizes

• 2023: European Sustainability Award – Prix Film4Climate
• Fortune magazine: Listed among the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business (outside USA)
• David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award
• Clinton Global Citizen Award
• Raymond Georis Innovative Philanthropist Award
• European School of Management Responsible Leadership Award

Special Honors

• 2007: From Belgium, the Order of Leopold II
• 2009: From Spain, the Order of Civil Merit
• 2010: From Austria, the Silbernes Ehrenkreuz der Republik Österreich
• 2010: From France, the National Order of the Legion of Honour

Academic and Philanthropic Awards

• 2006: From the United States, an Honorary Degree from Drexel University
• 2007: From the United States, the Corporate Partner Award from the American - Turkish Society
• 2009: From the European Union, the Raymond Georis Prize for Innovative Philanthropy from the Council of the European Union
• 2011: From Germany, the Schumpeter Prize
• 2011: From Germany, the ESMT Responsible Leadership Award from the European School of Management and Technology
• 2011: From the United States, the Clinton Global Citizen Award from the Clinton Foundation