ATAA UN Related Announcement# 44
ATAA NextGen Webinar Series
Empowering Youth for People, Planet & Progress
Session 3 – Young Impact Leaders & Their Ecosystems
Sunday, March 1, 2026
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.
This session explores how impact is sustained — through inner clarity, intentional structures, strong communities, and long-term systems. Our main goals include:
- Teach without lecturing
- Inspire through lived journeys
- Share practical frameworks accessibly
- Leave youth — and the adults who support them — with concrete next steps
Program
Opening Remarks and Introduction by
**Alev Wieland
**ATAA President
Moderator
**Didem Altop
**General Partner, Treeo VC &
Board Member, Turkish Philanthropy Funds
Guest Speakers
Bedriye Hülya
Founder, B-Fit and Muzipo
**Matthias Scheffelmeier
**Co-Founder, ChangemakerXchange
**Bahar Aldanmaz Fidan, PhD
**Co-Founder of Konuşmamız Gerek Derneği
Biographies
Bedriye Hülya
Founder, B-Fit and Muzipo
Bedriye Hülya is a social entrepreneur, clinical psychologist, and ecosystem builder dedicated to empowering women and strengthening families through inclusive, community-based enterprises. She first built her impact through entrepreneurship as the founder of B-Fit, Türkiye’s largest women-only sports and wellness franchise, creating economic opportunities for hundreds of female entrepreneurs while fostering health, confidence, and social connection in local communities.
Building on her years of experience working closely with women and families, Bedriye later deepened her commitment to human development by becoming a clinical psychologist. She integrates psychological insight with business leadership, designing ventures that prioritize emotional well-being alongside economic participation.
She also founded Muzipo, an innovative child development and activity center model that supports holistic learning, creativity, and early childhood growth. Across her work, Bedriye demonstrates how purpose-driven entrepreneurship can evolve over time—blending business, psychology, and community leadership to create lasting, multi-generational impact.
Her journey offers young people a powerful example of how careers can evolve while remaining anchored in purpose.
**Her work directly supports SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being), and SDG 4 (Quality Education).
**___________________________________
Matthias Scheffelmeier
Co-Founder, ChangemakerXchange
Matthias Scheffelmeier is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of ChangemakerXchange, a global community that supports young social innovators through peer-learning, trust-based collaboration, and wellbeing-centered leadership. He has designed programs that connect more than 1,500 impact entrepreneurs and activists across 100+ countries, enabling them to learn, co-create, and scale their impact.
He also co-leads The Possibilists and The Facilitators, initiatives focused on strengthening the global ecosystem of social entrepreneurs and the organizations that support them. Matthias has spent his career working across Germany, Turkiye and numerous other countries building trust-based collaborative spaces where young leaders can grow impactful, sustainable solutions to social and environmental challenges.
His work directly supports SDG 16 (Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions), SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
Bahar Aldanmaz Fidan, PhD
Co-Founder, Konuşmamız Gerek Derneği
Dr. Bahar Aldanmaz Fidan is a social impact leader, researcher, and philanthropy strategist working at the intersection of gender equality, civil society strengthening, and diaspora engagement. She holds a PhD in social policy and development, grounding her work in research, systems thinking, and evidence-based advocacy.
She is the Co-Founder of Konuşmamız Gerek Derneği (“We Need to Talk”), an organization advancing menstrual equity, gender awareness, and inclusive education through advocacy, research, and community programs. By addressing social taboos and structural inequalities, the organization promotes dignity, access, and informed dialogue.
In her role as Grants Lead at Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF), Bahar designs and oversees strategic grantmaking initiatives that connect diaspora philanthropy with grassroots change. Her work bridges academic research, funding strategy, and nonprofit capacity building—demonstrating how scholarship can translate into practical, measurable social impact.
For young participants, Bahar represents a pathway where intellectual curiosity, research excellence, and civic commitment come together to shape policy, philanthropy, and long-term systemic change.
**Her work directly supports SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
**________________________________________
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.
Didem 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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