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Güler Sabancı, Chair of our Board of Trustees, has received multiple prestigious awards recognizing her outstanding leadership, vision, and significant contributions to philanthropy both in Türkiye and globally.
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Clinton Global Citizen Award

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Güler Sabancı, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Sabancı Foundation, was honored with the Clinton Global Citizen Award by the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), founded by former U.S. President Bill Clinton, in 2011.

Sabancı received the award in the "Leadership in Corporate Sector" category for her contributions to advancing the human rights of women and girls, as well as for her efforts toward Turkey’s social, cultural, and economic development.

Since 2007, this prestigious award has also been given to notable figures such as former Coca-Cola Chairman Neville Isdell, Avon Chairperson and CEO Andrea Jung, and TNT CEO Paul Bakker.

At the award ceremony held in New York on September 22, 2011, Bill Clinton described the honorees as “extraordinary individuals who have worked to develop innovative solutions in areas such as education, healthcare access, and environmental protection, and deserve recognition.”

Güler Sabancı emphasized Sabancı Group’s strength in fostering collaboration, teamwork, and strong partnerships, stating, “I am proud that Sabancı Foundation works together with United Nations agencies and our Ministry of Interior to improve the human rights of women and girls. This participatory philanthropic approach has set an example in the field and created a real impact.”

Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola, who presented the award, said, “It is a pleasure to present the Global Citizenship Award to Güler Sabancı in recognition of her continuous efforts to strengthen the position of women and girls in Turkey and her commitment to the belief that women’s rights are human rights.”

The Clinton Global Initiative is a platform founded in 2005 by former U.S. President Bill Clinton that brings together leaders worldwide to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to global challenges. CGI unites government officials, business leaders, civil society organizations, and experts to implement concrete projects in social, economic, and environmental fields, aiming to improve the lives of millions around the world.
Sabanci Foundation Chairman of the Board of Trustees Ms. Guler Sabanci was recognized and honored with the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award, which is presented to exceptional leaders who work for social development. Named after the leading businessman and philanthropist David Rockefeller, this award was presented to Ms. Guler Sabanci for her leadership and impactful contributions to philanthropy. The award ceremony was held on 8 October 2013 in Geneva, Switzerland.

At the award ceremony, which brought together leaders from business, public sector and civil society, the daughter of David Rockefeller, Ms. Peggy Dulany recognized Ms. Guler Sabanci for her leadership: “Guler Sabanci is a model for all leaders in business and philanthropy, not only in Turkey but around the world. She is deeply engaged in what the Sabanci Foundation and Sabanci University do, and highly articulate about the rationale for choosing each strategy. And so much of their success is about reaching out and collaborating with other parts of Turkish society, as well as international partners. That is what this award is about. I am honored to present her this award”.

The achievements of the Sabanci Foundation were highlighted through an opening discussion between Ms. Sabanci and Ms. Dulany. In her acceptance speech, Guler Sabanci said: “I am accepting this award on behalf of Sabanci family, Sabanci Foundation and the ones who have contributed to our foundation from the past to the present. As a member of a family with 50-years of philanthropy, it is an honor for me to receive this award from the Rockefeller Family whose philanthropy goes back to 150-years ago”. Ms. Sabancı also referred to the importance of supporting women and girls: “As Sabancı Foundation, we had the opportunity to champion women’s and girls’ rights and equal participation in society, but I must say, we still have a long way to go. We should support women’s role in society, not only in Turkey but around the world”.

David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award is presented by Synergos Institute, founded and chaired by Dr. Peggy Dulany, the daughter of David Rockefeller. Past recipients of this award include former U.S. President Bill Clinton, former South African President Nelson Mandela, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates, Queen Rania of Jordan, the Aga Khan; the mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, philanthropists Jennifer and Peter Buffet.

The event concluded with participants meeting around particular topics such as “Philanthropy to Stop Human Trafficking,” “Partnerships to Improve Global Health,” “Impact Investing,” and “Supporting Women and Girls For Social Change.”
Chairman of the Sabanci Foundation, Ms. Guler Sabanci was awarded “The 2009 Raymond Georis Prize for Innovative Philanthropy” by the jury chaired by Mr. Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union. Sabancı Foundation became the first Turkish Foundation to receive this award. Sabanci Foundation hosted an event at the Sakip Sabanci Museum to celebrate the prize and share this important occasion with other Turkish business and philanthropic leaders on June 5, 2009.

In her speech Ms. Sabanci said: "I am grateful to my family not only for growing up in this beautiful garden but more than that, something much more important than that. I was brought up to accept as my duty to reach, to help, to touch those who are less fortunate than us and try to make a difference in their lives so they can achieve higher standards of living, so their lives can be better. At Sabanci, everything we do- at the Sabanci Foundation- is based on a strong commitment and dedication to the principle fact that the people of our country deserve the best of everything. In the last two years we have been developing a new strategy in order to set global standards for philanthropy in Turkey. This award symbolizes the acceptance of our new strategy and brings more responsibilities." For the detailed speech of Guler Sabanci, please click here.

Prize’s namesake and a member of the Selection Committee Mr. Raymond Georis said:“Ms. Sabancı has personally taken a front-seat in all her development work, insisting on effective strategies that result in marked and sustainable change”.The Selection Committee was chaired by Mr. Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union and President of the Madariaga European Foundation and comprised Mr. Gerry Salole, Chief Executive of the European Foundation Centre, and Ms. Norine MacDonald QC, President of the Mercator Fund.

Ms. Norine MacDonald said:“Leading the first grantmaking foundation with a focus on social justice in Turkey, Ms. Sabancı is playing a leading and fundamental role in setting a European standard for philanthropy in Turkey,”and continued,“Throughout her career, she has contributed extensively to philanthropic work in the areas of education, the accessibility of culture and the arts and the empowerment and engagement of women in the Turkish economy.”
Sabanci Foundation was recognized and honored with the International Gold Star for Quality, which is presented by Business Initiative Directions (BID) to leadinginstitutions promoting quality culture and sustainable development. This award was presented to the General Manager of Sabanci Foundation, Ms. Zerrin Koyunsagan, by the BID President, Mr. Jose E. Prieto at a ceremony which was held on 27 October 2013 in the World Quality Commitment Convention in Paris.

Sabanci Foundation received the International Gold Star for Quality due to its leadership and contribution to quality and excellence, as well as its commitment to innovation and technology. The International Selection Committee, composed of members from 90 countries, designated the awardees one of which has been the Sabanci Foundation. BID has announced that Sabanci Foundation has been recognized for its leadership in creating a continually improving management style with a strict focus on quality principle.

At the award ceremony, the General Manager of Sabanci Foundation, Ms. Zerrin Koyunsagan, expressed her gratitude for being recognized for the foundation’s pioneering work in philanthropy sector and leadership role in social development, and said: “The innovative practices we usein our grant programs, as well as our programs with partners, are being followed in the international arena. We have been receiving awards for our achievements in this manner. As Sabanci Foundation, we are very happy and honored that BID has recognized our work which we implement subject to the quality standards in the philanthropy sector. The fact that we were granted this award, highlighted once again the significance of applying sustainable and innovative practices in the civil society.”

Being regarded as one of the most prestigious quality awards globally, The World Quality Commitment Award is presented each year by BID to institutions playing a leadership role in achieving quality, innovation, excellence and technology. BID voting process is carried out throughout the year in different countries based on the Total Quality Management Model (QC100).
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