ATAA UN Related Announcement# 42
ATAA NextGen Webinar Series
Empowering Youth for People, Planet & Progress
Session 2 – Social Innovation: Theories of Change & Purposeful Leadership
**Sunday, February 8, 2026
**1:00pm ET, 12pm CT, 10am PT
Empowering Youth for People, Planet & Progress
The Turkish American youth are the cornerstone of the Assembly of Turkish American Associations’ (ATAA) mission and the future of our community. They represent the bridge between our proud Turkish heritage and the dynamic American society we are part of. ATAA invests in youth leadership, civic education, and cultural outreach to ensure that new generations are empowered, confident, and active participants in shaping a better future. By nurturing their voices and potential, we help them carry forward Atatürk’s vision of progress, equality, and enlightenment—values that continue to inspire our collective path toward a stronger and more connected Turkish American community.
About
The ATAA NextGen Webinar Series is a four-part online program connecting Turkish-American youth (ages 14–24) and the broader ATAA community with global sustainability and civic leadership themes. Spearheaded by ATAA President Alev Wieland, ATAA Southeast Vice President Canan Özaktay, and curated by Didem Altop, the series invites participants to explore the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UN Decade of Water (2018–2028) while celebrating Turkish heritage as a foundation for leadership, service, and global citizenship.
Program
Opening Remarks and Introduction by
**Alev Wieland
**ATAA President
Moderator
**Didem Altop
**General Partner, Treeo VC &
Board Member, Turkish Philanthropy Funds
Guest Speakers
Nilüfer Atalay
Founding Member & Trustee, Turkey Mozaik Foundation
**Asiye Bahar Tabanlı
**Founder, Turkishe; Growth Program Associate, Endeavor Türkiye
**Mina İlköz Demirtaş
**Co-Founder & CEO, UP School
Biographies
NİLÜFER ATALAY
Founding Member & Trustee, Turkey Mozaik Foundation
Nilüfer Atalay is a founding member and trustee of the Turkey Mozaik Foundation, a philanthropic organization that supports grassroots civil society initiatives across Türkiye. She works to strengthen organizations focused on education, gender equality, disaster resilience, and community development, helping them achieve long-term, locally rooted impact.
With experience in social innovation, philanthropy, and entrepreneurship, Nilüfer builds bridges between purpose-driven initiatives and the communities they serve, supporting local leaders who are shaping a more equitable society.
**Her work directly supports SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities & Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
**___________________________________
ASİYE BAHAR TABANLI
Founder, Turkishe; Growth Program Associate, Endeavor Türkiye
Asiye Bahar Tabanlı is the founder of Turkishe, a global community empowering Turkish women by strengthening their networks, elevating their voices, and expanding access to leadership and opportunity. Through Turkishe, she promotes visibility, mentorship, and collaboration among women across sectors and generations.
In her role as Growth Program Associate at Endeavor Türkiye, Asiye supports high-impact entrepreneurs, contributing to a vibrant innovation and startup ecosystem. Her work centers on economic empowerment and inclusive community-building. Asiye represents a new generation of leaders committed to creating platforms that open doors and amplify impact for women and youth.
Her work directly supports SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
MİNA İLKÖZ DEMİRTAŞ
Co-Founder & CEO, UP School
Mina İlköz Demirtaş is the Co-Founder and CEO of UP School, a pioneering education platform that equips young women with the technical, professional, and leadership skills needed to succeed in the digital economy. Through rigorous training programs in digital marketing, software engineering, data science, and cybersecurity, UP School helps women build meaningful careers while addressing the gender gap in technology.
Mina’s work combines education, mentorship, and workforce development to create a scalable model for social impact. By designing programs that open pathways to economic mobility, she enables participants to thrive in high-growth fields and become role models in their communities.
Her work directly supports SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth).
Project Team
ALEV WIELAND
ATAA President
Alev Wieland has Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from University of Cincinnati, OH. Worked for Balcan Engineering at Proctor of Gamble as Project Engineer for 7 years. She retired from PepsiCo, Inc-AMEA Capability Director in 2012.
Alev has extensive experience in Lean Manufacturing, Lean Product Life Cycle Management, Equipment and Processes Development. Project Management, Construction Management, Food Manufacturing, Paper Converting, Cosmetics and Laundry Soap Industries. She has solid understanding of Engineering, Manufacturing and Operations Processes. She is an expert in ISO 9001 and GMP Certifications and Standards. Alev is the CEO of Manufacturing Excellence Technical Services and Alev Cosmetics.
Alev has been serving as the President-Elect of ATAA since May 2024. She served on the ATAA Board of Directors as the Southwest Region Vice President from 2020 to 2024 and as First Vice President from October 2023 to May 2024. Alev also serves as the co-Chair of the ATAA UN Relations Committee and Chair of the ATAA Newsletter Committee.
She is the Secretary General and NGO Relations Director Contemporary Education Foundation (COEDFO) since 2013, has been responsible for organizational communication, meetings management, documentation, website management. As the Trustee and active member of the Turkish American Association of Northern Texas (TURANT), she has been providing organizational operations support to its elected board members and helping with executions of projects since 2000.
Since 2008, Alev takes active role at her local Main Street Organization and International Community, helps with organizations of the major festivals that is proven to become the key events that provides income to the city. She served as President of Cincinnati Turkish American Association (CTAA) from 1994 to 1996.
Since 2023 Alev serves as the Trustee of the Turkish American Visual and Performing Arts (TAVPA).
Since March 2024, Alev is serving Dallas Turkish Businesswomen’s Network as the Advisor.
Association of Northern Texas (TURANT), she has been providing organizational operations support to its elected board members and helping with executions of projects since 2000.
Since 2008, Alev takes active role at her local Main Street Organization and International Community, helps with organizations of the major festivals that is proven to become the key events that provides income to the city. She served as President of Cincinnati Turkish American Association (CTAA) from 1994 to 1996.
Since March 2024, Alev is serving Dallas Turkish Businesswomen’s Network as the Advisor.
CANAN ÖZAKTAY
ATAA Southeast V.P. and ATAA UN Committee Member
Canan was born in Istanbul and moved to Michigan in 1969. She received her BS degree from Michigan State University in 1978 and spent most of her career through 2005 in the Automotive Industry and later moved to New Hampshire where she received her MS degree in Healthcare Management from Franklin Pierce University. In 2007 Canan moved to Florida where she received her Real Estate license in 2012 and Broker’s License 2019.
Currently she is the Broker/Owner of Epic Solutions Realty, Boca Raton FL. Canan is an enthusiastic member of the community and believes in service. While she lived in Michigan, she was a member of Turkish American Cultural Association of Michigan (TACAM) and served in various positions which included the President of the organization (2004-2005).
She joined Florida Turkish American Association (FTAA) as a member in 2008 and volunteered in several committees and was the President 2022-2024 term. Canan’s memberships include Boca Raton Rotary Club where she serves in the Foundation Committee and also the Leadership Boca Class of 2023.
She is a proud new member of the ATAA UN Relations Committee. Living in Boca Raton, Fl, Canan is married to Dr. Cüneyt Özaktay. She is mother of Crystal Smith, Brandon Hampton and Levent Özaktay.
DİDEM ALTOP
General Partner, Treeo VC & Board Member, Turkish Philanthropy Funds
Didem Altop is a Turkish-American venture capitalist, ecosystem builder, and social-impact leader with over 25 years of experience advancing entrepreneurship across Türkiye and the United States. She is a General Partner at Treeo VC, a Miami-based early-stage fund investing in AI-native, B2B, immigrant-led startups entering the U.S. market. At Treeo VC, she provides capital, strategic guidance, and global network access to help founders scale with purpose and resilience.
Didem is widely recognized for spearheading the launch and expansion of Endeavor Turkey as its Founding Managing Director, catalyzing one of Türkiye’s most influential high-impact entrepreneurship movements. She later co-founded and led a venture studio in Istanbul, supporting early-stage founders and designing corporate innovation programs for companies.
Alongside her venture career, Didem has engaged deeply with nonprofit associations—often as a founder, board member, or strategic advisor—championing initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, women’s leadership, youth development, and volunteerism across Türkiye.
As a Board Member of Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF) , she supports diaspora-driven impact initiatives and hosts the monthly Voices of Partners webinar series spotlighting social innovators.
**Her work directly supports SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
**
For further inquiries, please contact Alev Wieland, ATAA President, president@ataa.org or Canan Özaktay, ATAA Southeast VP – southeastvp@ataa.org, canan.ozaktay@gmail.com, Didem Altop, hdidemaltop@gmail.com
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