We are honored to welcome back Mustafa Kemal Abadan, who served as TPF Board Chair between 2012-2014. Mustafa Kemal, also member of TPF’s Founders Society, brings a distinguished career and a deep dedication to philanthropy. His leadership and vision will guide TPF in its mission to empower communities and create sustainable impact. “I am honored to take on the role of Chairman at TPF once again,” said Abadan. “Together with our new and current Board members, we will strive to amplify our efforts and drive meaningful change for our communities both in the United States and in Turkiye.”

Joining him on the Board are:

Gamze Ateş – With extensive experience in entrepreneurship and women empowerment through her fair trade company, My Beachy Side, Gamze’s expertise will be invaluable in shaping TPF’s strategies and initiatives. “I am excited to rejoin the TPF Board and contribute to the impactful work being done,” said Ateş. “I look forward to working with my fellow Board members and Mustafa Kemal Abadan to enhance our initiatives and support our communities.”

Ergün Kırlıkovalı – A respected figure in the Turkish-American community, Ergün’s insights and knowledge will enhance TPF’s ability to address pressing social issues. “Being part of TPF’s Board is a great privilege,” Kırlıkovalı remarked. “My motto in life is to always strive to be better than I was yesterday. TPF shares this same approach in all its endeavors. The TPF Team asks themselves every day how they can improve. I am eager to lend my experience to help further this vision and ensure we reach new heights in our philanthropic efforts.“

Tamer Seçkin – A pioneer in the field of gynecology, Dr. Seçkin is renowned for his groundbreaking work in the treatment of endometriosis. His innovative approach and dedication to women’s health have earned him international acclaim.  Driven by his passion for philanthropy, Dr. Seçkin will play a pivotal role in advancing TPF’s mission to create a meaningful impact.

Each of these new Board members brings a unique perspective and years of experience that will contribute to TPF’s goals of creating positive social impact and empowering individuals and communities.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mustafa Kemal Abadan as our new Chairman and to have Gamze Ateş, Ergün Kırlıkovalı, and Dr. Tamer Seçkin join our Board of Directors,” said Senay Ataselim-Yilmaz, the Executive Director of TPF. “Their collective expertise, unique perspectives and passion for philanthropy will be instrumental in advancing our mission and expanding our reach.”

TPF will continue to focus on key initiatives such as education, healthcare, disaster relief, and economic development, ensuring that resources are directed where they are needed most and can make the greatest impact.

For more information about Turkish Philanthropy Funds and its initiatives, please visit localhost/tpfund/. 

Mustafa Kemal Abadan Bio: 

Mustafa Kemal Abadan is a design partner in the architectural firm of Skidmore Owings and Merrill LLP (SOM). Educated at Cornell University’s College of Architecture, Art and Planning, he received his Bachelor of Architecture in 1982 and a Master of Architecture in Urban Design in 1984. Mustafa joined SOM in 1983 and has been with the firm for 33 years. 

Gamze Ateş Bio:

Gamze Ateş is a social entrepreneur who founded and runs My Beachy Side, a sustainable resort wear brand that provides economic opportunity to more than a thousand women in five offices in her native Turkey.  Her brand is sold worldwide in major luxury retailers including Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Revolve. Prior to launching My Beachy Side, she was the founder of Admiral Line, Inc., an international shipping company that was acquired by DHL Worldwide, where she was a Executive Vice President, managing 82 countries in emerging markets for the Global Customer Solutions Division.  Gamze has also served as the New York editor for Turkish Vogue.  She lives in New York City.

Ergün Kırlıkovalı Bio:

Born in Izmir, Turkey in 1952, Ergün Kırlıkovalı earned a B.S. in Chemistry from Bogazici University, Istanbul in 1974. He interned in Austria (1973) and Holland (1974) before completing an M.S. in Polymer Science at the University of Manchester, England in 1975. Kırlıkovalı worked for polymer companies in San Francisco (1978-1981), New York (1982-1985), and Los Angeles (1985-present). In 1985, he founded his own company specializing in polymer coatings for stealth technology in fighter aircraft like the B2 and F35. Active in the community, he was president of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (2011-2013) and received numerous awards, including “Exemplary Turkish-American Citizen of the Year” in 2018. His hobbies include folk dancing, travel, and historical research. He is married with one son and resides in Southern California.

Tamer Seçkin Bio: 

Tamer Seçkin, MD, is a world-renowned gynecologist and laparoscopic surgeon specializing in endometriosis. With over four decades of experience, he excels in minimally invasive excision surgery, skillfully treating advanced cases. Dr. Seçkin founded the Endometriosis Foundation of America (EndoFound) to promote awareness, education, and research for the disease. By challenging taboos and stigmas, he has revolutionized the understanding that painful periods are not normal, gaining international recognition for his efforts. His best-selling books, “The Doctor Will See You Now: Recognizing and Treating Endometriosis” and “Endometriosis: A Guide for Girls,” offer valuable insights for patients. He also serves as a Clinical Associate Professor at Zucker School of Medicine, sharing his expertise with future medical professionals.

Large swathes of the cities remain in ruins. Survivors, primarily residing in container cities, experience varied living conditions. Some have decent amenities like hot water and clean bathrooms, while others merely have four walls sheltering families who lack the basic necessities we often take for granted—essentials crucial for dignified living. Every interaction underscored the collective loss, whether of a loved one, a home, or a means to provide for their families.

The realization of the recovery path weighed on me, but amidst the despair, I also witnessed abundant kindness and unity.

I met incredibly inspiring individuals who left their city lives to volunteer with local NGOs. Their unwavering dedication not only infused hope into the devastated community but also highlighted the magnitude of work that remains. We need to continue to provide support for their work. While we’ve provided immediate relief, the journey of rebuilding demands sustained attention. Beyond mere shelter, survivors need sustainable job opportunities, psychological support to cope with trauma, and educational resources to reweave the social fabric of their lives. The region is poised to rise from its challenges, and with our continued collective efforts, I am confident we can help rebuild it into the heart of Anatolia.

TPF is deeply committed to long-term support in the earthquake region. Recognizing the profound impact of sustained assistance, we are ready to extend our support for as long as it’s needed. The collective strength of our community will be essential on this path forward. Will you stand alongside TPF and me in championing the continued rebuilding efforts? 

Warm regards,

Metin Negrin

TPF Board Member

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“The directors and I are proud to welcome these three incredible leaders as new colleagues on the TPF Board,” said Mehmet Kirdar, TPF’s Board Chair. “These individuals will add tremendous value to the organization with their philanthropic expertise from across the private and nonprofit sectors.”

“Our Board of Directors is comprised of a dedicated team of community leaders committed to providing strength, vision and guidance to inspire and mobilize innovative, high-impact philanthropy that benefits our communities. We are excited to channel Mustafa Kemal, Aykut, and Ülkü’s talent, expertise, and energy into furthering our mission,” said Senay Ataselim-Yilmaz, Executive Director of TPF. “New members’ ties to Turkey and dedication to advancing high-impact philanthropy adds invaluable leadership experience and perspective to our board.”

Aykut Atali is a Partner at McKinsey & Company in the Silicon Valley office and advises executives of big and small companies focusing on operations strategy in the high tech and telecom industries. He is the global leader of McKinsey’s high tech, media, and telecom operations with deep experience in cloud infrastructure, data center operations, hardware manufacturing, and digital operational transformations. Aykut holds a Ph.D. in Management Science from Stanford University, where his graduate work focused on supply chain visibility and inventory management. Aykut’s knowledge of technology and operations management will help guide TPF in the evolving world of technology and philanthropy combined.

“As a proud Turkish-American family, we have a commitment to give back where we live, where we come from, and to invest in our communities. We want our children to grow up learning about the culture of giving. I’m very excited to be part of the TPF team and looking forward to contributing to TPF’s mission to invest in youth in Turkey,” said Aykut on his appointment to TPF’s Board of Directors.

The board additionally also welcomes Ülkü Rowe, Engineering Director at Google Cloud’s Office of the CTO. At the forefront of Google’s cloud, data analytics, and machine learning capabilities, Ülkü enables the financial services industry to fuel their digital transformation. Ülkü received her MS degree in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her BS degree in Computer Engineering from Boğaziçi University in Istanbul. Ülkü serves on the board of many institutions as a trustee or an advisory and brings TPF new perspectives in financial and program management.

“We are responsible for the world we live in. We owe it to the next generations to leave them a better future where everyone can have equitable access to education, employment, and civil rights. I hope to do my part in achieving that, and every person I can touch along the way will be the legacy I leave in this world. TPF’s focus on high-impact philanthropy is what drew me to TPF. TPF has been a proven powerful change agent in addressing the economic, social, and environmental challenges of communities in Turkey and around the world.” said Ülkü on her appointment to TPF’s Board of Directors.

We are also honored to welcome back Mustafa Kemal Abadan, who served as TPF Board Chair between 2012-14. Mustafa Kemal is also a founder member of TPF and one of the pioneers who founded the organization. Mustafa Kemal Abadan is a design partner in the architectural firm of Skidmore Owings and Merrill LLP (SOM). Educated at Cornell University’s College of Architecture, Art and Planning, he received his Bachelor of Architecture in 1982 and a Master of Architecture in Urban Design in 1984. Mustafa joined SOM in 1983 and has been with the firm for 33 years. Mustafa Kemal is an active philanthropist supporting areas of need, from education to gender equality. Mustafa Kemal’s guidance will be a great contribution to TPF as we continue to grow as an organization and bring meaningful and long-term impact to our partners and community in Turkey.

Learn More about TPF's board of directors