Having graduated from T.E.D. Ankara College High School, and then the Department of Management of Bogazici University, Guler Sabanci started her career in LASSA Lastik Sanayi A.S. in 1978.   Then she was the General Manager of KORDSA Kordbezi Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. for 14 years. During that period, the 50/50 international partnership agreements signed by Sabanci Holding were implemented under the leadership of Guler Sabanci.

Guler Sabanci has also participated in the foundation and operation activities of many foreign-partner industrial companies at home and abroad.

Guler Sabanci, who lastly assumed the office of the Head of the Tyres and Reinforcing Materials Group of Sabanci Holding, was elected as the Chairperson and Managing Director of Sabanci Holding, which had become vacant upon the departure of Sakip Sabanci in May 2004.  Guler Sabanci is also the President of the Sabanci Holding’s Human Resources Committee.

Active in academic and social fields besides the business life as well, Guler Sabanci has been presiding over the Board of Trustees since the starting date of the Sabanci University, of which establishment was implemented by her in year 1996. Guler Sabanci has been the President of the Board of Trustees of Haci Omer Sabanci Foundation (Sabanci Foundation) since 2004.

Being the first female board member of Turkish Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD), Guler Sabanci is also board member of International Crises Group, the first Turkish member of International Business Council and the first female member of European Round Table of Industrialists which are the three most reputable organizations of global business community.

Guler Sabanci has been granted many awards for her excellence in business and social responsibility:

• In June 2006, Ms. Sabanci was granted an Honorary Doctorate by the prestigious Drexel University in the United States.
• In November 2007, President of the Belgian Senate, Armand de Decker, awarded Ms. Sabanci with the Commander's Cross of the Order of Leopold II for her extraordinary contributions to economic relations between Turkey and Belgium.
• In 2007, Ms. Sabanci received an Institutional Partnership Award from the American Turkish Society.
• In May 2009, Ms. Sabanci was awarded the Raymond Georis Prize for Innovative Philanthropy by a jury headed by Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Javier Solana, for implementing social responsibility initiatives that make a positive difference in people’s lives.
• In 2009, Ms. Sabanci was awarded the Encomienda De Numero, the highest merit order of Spain, by King Juan Carlos I for her contributions to the relations between Turkey and Spain.
• In April 2010, Ms. Sabanci was awarded the Silbernes Ehrenkreuz der Republik Österreich, the highest state order of Austria, for her social involvement, extraordinary achievement in business, and pioneering work.
• In June 2010, Ms. Sabanci was awarded the Legion d'honneur, the highest state order of France.

• In May 2011, Ms. Sabanci was awarded the Schumpeter Prize, a prize in memory of the famous Austrian economist Joseph A. Schumpeter which is given to innovators who have created new and progressive projects in their respective fields

• In July 2011 Ms. Sabanci was awarded the “ESMT Responsible Leadership Award” by European School of Management and Technology (ESMT)

• In September 2011, Sabanci was awarded the  “Clinton Global Citizen Award” by the Clinton Global Initiative founded by former US President Bill Clinton, in recognition of her contribution to women and girls human rights and to the social, cultural and economic development of Turkey.

Guler Sabanci has become an important public figure in world press due to her success in her business life:

• Fortune Magazine listed Ms. Sabanci as 9th among the “Top 50 Powerful Women in the World” in 2008.
• Forbes Magazine's "Top 100 Most Powerful Women" placed Ms. Sabanci as 27th in 2009, moving up from 75th in 2008. 
• In 2011, the Financial Times placed Guler Sabanci 2nd among the "Top 50 Women in World Business" moving up from 3rd in 2010 and 5th in 2009. In 2007, Guler Sabanci was listed 8th among the “Top 25 Businesswomen in Europe” by the Financial Times.