Suzan Sabancı
Suzan Sabancı | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth year and age Turkey |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, Banker |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Known for | Chairperson of Akbank, Board member of Sabancı Holding |
Suzan Sabancı, CBE (born 1965), is a prominent Turkish entrepreneur and a third-generation descendant of the Sabancı family. She holds the position of chairperson at Akbank and serves as a board member of Sabancı Holding.
With expertise in treasury and risk management since 1993, Sabancı is a member of the Board of the Institute of International Finance as well as its Advisory Board focused on Emerging Markets. Additionally, she contributes as an International Advisory Board Member for both the National Bank of Kuwait and Blackstone.
Career
Sabancı leads Akbank as its chairperson and is also part of Sabancı Holding’s board along with the Board of Trustees at Sabancı University. In 2009, she established and currently chairs the Akbank International Advisory Board.
Her professional journey in banking began in 1986, joining Akbank in 1989 as Executive Vice President responsible for Treasury. By 1997, she advanced to Executive Board Member overseeing Treasury and International Banking Relations. In 2001, she spearheaded a comprehensive organizational transformation within the bank and was appointed chairperson in March 2008.
Furthermore, she has presided over the Advisory Board of Women on Board Association Turkey.
Education
Suzan Sabancı earned a B.A. degree in Finance and International Marketing from Richmond, The American International University in London, UK, and completed an MBA at Boston University, USA.
Memberships
Sabancı is active on several prestigious boards including the Institute of International Finance’s Board of Directors and Emerging Markets Advisory Board, Harvard University's Global Advisory Council, Harvard Business School's Global Leaders Circle, and the advisory council for Harvard Kennedy School’s Mossavar-Rahmani Center. She holds emeritus status on Harvard Business School’s Middle East and North Africa Advisory Board and participates in the Global Board of Advisors at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). She also serves on Venetian Heritage, Inc.’s Board of Managing Directors.
Between 2010 and 2014, she chaired the Turkish-British Business Council. From 2009 until 2016, Sabancı was a member of Chatham House’s Global Board of Advisors. In recognition of her efforts to enhance Turkey-UK relations, Queen Elizabeth II bestowed upon her the title "Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)" in 2012.
Dedicated to corporate social responsibility, Sabancı holds leadership roles across culture, education, and entrepreneurship sectors. She is a founding board member of Endeavor Turkey, an influential entrepreneurship initiative, and acts as a board patron for the Contemporary Istanbul Art Fair. Between 2005 and 2022, she served as Honorary Consul of Luxembourg in Istanbul. In 2014, King Felipe VI honored her with the Order of Civil Merit for her contributions to Spain-Turkey relations and cultural collaboration.
Currently, she supports youth development initiatives as a patron of Prince’s Trust International, a leading charitable organization founded by King Charles III.
Personal life
Sabancı is a mother to two children.
Fortune
According to Forbes Türkiye, Suzan Sabancı ranks as Turkey’s 26th wealthiest individual.