TOA Awards names 100 most influential Turkish Americans for 2026

TOA Awards will honor 100 Turkish Americans across 24 categories at a Nov. 17 gala in Garfield, New Jersey. The program spotlights leaders in science, business, arts, media, public service and sports, with tickets and sponsorships already open.

Why it matters: - TOA Awards is building a public record of Turkish-American achievement across science, entrepreneurship, technology, arts, public service and sports. - The 2026 honorees include nationally and globally recognized figures, signaling the community's growing visibility across major U.S. sectors. - The gala also serves as a networking moment for leaders in business, finance, law, healthcare, real estate, tourism and nonprofit work.

What happened: - TOA Awards announced its 2026 honorees, naming 100 individuals across 24 categories. - The gala is set for Tuesday, Nov. 17, at The Venetian in Garfield, New Jersey. - The awards recognize achievements, pioneering work and contributions to the Turkish-American community and wider society. - The selections followed a six-month evaluation process. - A 23-member jury and 16-member Selection Committee reviewed candidates in their categories.

The details: - Nobel Prize-winning scientist Aziz Sancar is recognized in Lifetime Achievement. - Science, Research & Academia honorees include Nobel Prize-winning economist Daron Acemoğlu, Gökhan Hotamışlıgil, Dani Rodrik, Canan Dağdeviren, Aydoğan Özcan, Mehmet Toner, İvet Bahar, Asuman Özdağlar, Bilge Yıldız, Murat Günel, Engin Kırda and Selçuk Şirin. - CEO & Founders honorees include Fatih Özmen, Hamdi Ulukaya, Eren Özmen, Eren Bali, Osman Kibar, Tümay Başaranlar, Oğuzhan Atay, Murat Özgener, Varol Ablak, Emre İmamoglu, Magdalena Yeşil and Aydın Şenkut. - Dr. Mehmet Öz, Tayfun Selen and Seval Öz are recognized in Policy, Government & Public Administration. - Egemen Taş, Aylin Uysal and Hande Çilingir are honored in Technology & Futures. - Arts & Culture honorees include Refik Anadol, Gizem Salçığıl White, Barbaros Tapan and Emre Şahin. - Fahir Atakoğlu and Pınar Toprak are recognized in Performing Arts. - Media honorees include Arda Öcal, Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker. - NBA star Alperen Şengün is honored in Sports & Athletic. - Dr. Selda Günsel and Tolga Kurtoğlu are recognized in CTO & CIO. - Barbaros Karaahmet and Fejir Uğurlu are recognized in Legal Advisory & Corporate Law. - Halil Demir and Mehmet Kırdar are honored in Nonprofit & Philanthropy Leadership. - Hospitality & Tourism honorees include Suzan Toprak, A. Cem Erenler and Cihan Yılmaz. - Yusuf Ceylan, Erol Devli and Fehmi Karahan are recognized in real estate investment and development. - Additional categories cover professional life, finance, healthcare, hospitality and community service. - The Under 30 category honors Anya Özmen, Emre Uğurlu and Lara Özkan. - Derya Taşkın, Neslihan Hıdırliğil and Kerime Ataker are recognized in Women in Business. - Founders' Recognition Awards went to Hakan Karalok, Hakan İnan, Levent Sertbas, Mustafa Tuncer, Orhan Genceli, Serdar Ali Çelikler, Mehmet Dinç, Ziya Keskin and Yavuz Macit. - Gala tickets are available at Gala tickets. - Sponsorships, corporate participation and table reservations are available through info@turkofamerica.com and 201-250-4376.

Between the lines: - The honoree list mixes established names, public figures and younger talent, suggesting TOA Awards is trying to showcase both prestige and pipeline. - The separate Founders' Recognition Awards broaden the program beyond the jury-selected Top 100 and give the event more room to spotlight niche accomplishments. - Founder Cemil Özyurt framed the awards as a platform to document and pass on Turkish-American success stories to future generations.

What's next: - TOA Awards will host the ceremony on Nov. 17 in Garfield. - The event is expected to bring together leaders from multiple sectors and strengthen Turkish-American community ties. - Ticket sales, sponsorship outreach and table reservations are now underway.