PHILANTHROPISTS OF THE YEAR AWARD
Eren and Fatih Özmen
Turkish-American Philanthropists and Entrepreneurs
Co-Owners of SNC and Sierra Space
Fatih and Eren Özmen are the visionary leaders of SNC, transforming it from a modest startup into a global aerospace and defense powerhouse. Since acquiring SNC in 1994, they have developed it into a next-generation prime contractor known for cutting-edge technologies addressing critical national security challenges.
In 2021, the Özmens launched Sierra Space, focusing on commercial space exploration with innovations like the Dream Chaser® spaceplane and LIFE™ habitat to drive Low Earth Orbit commercialization. The Dream Chaser is set to launch in 2025, marking a new era in space travel. Recognized with numerous prestigious awards, the Ozmens have led SNC to earn recognition as a U.S. Best Managed Company. Eren ranks among Forbes’ Top 10 Most Successful Self-Made Women and “50 Over 50” lists, and she has received honors like the Laureate Award and Howard Hughes Memorial Award. Fatih is a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
Beyond business, the Özmens are passionate philanthropists, supporting STEM education, medical research, and Turkish students through scholarships, demonstrating their commitment to education and innovation for a better future.
Eda Özmen
Social Impact Investor
Philanthropist
Eda Özmen is a dedicated student of human behavior, focused on fostering peace, connection, and sustainable change. As a first-generation Turkish- American, her personal experiences inspired her commitment to growth, discovering and addressing the root causes of disconnection and divisiveness.
Through her leadership in her family’s philanthropy, Eda supports innovative initiatives that promote social, emotional, and spiritual well-being by incentivizing collaboration and coordinated efforts. As a member of Leap Forward, a global nonprofit dedicated to cultivating self-awareness, resilience, and co-evolution, Eda is part of a community pioneering solutions to dismantle barriers to collective thriving. Inspired by Leap Forward’s mission, she is co-developing a transformative initiative to unite values-driven leaders and bridge-builders, from diverse backgrounds, to strengthen collaboration between Muslims and Jews.
Guided by her passion for and study of human behavior, Eda values authentic self-expression and relationships, holistic education, and diverse perspectives, which she believes are essential tools for catalyzing understanding, sustainable impact, and collective flourishing.
TPF is a platform for donors, families, and corporations, offering donor-advised funds, fiscal sponsorship, and strategic grantmaking services. By connecting its community with vetted nonprofit organizations and innovative projects, TPF addresses critical challenges and amplifies impact.
Guided by its mission to unite donors, businesses, and nonprofits, TPF cultivates collaboration, inspires generosity, and drives meaningful impact toward a more resilient and equitable future. Every contribution reflects a unique story of commitment, and together, we are shaping a future filled with promise—one that empowers each individual to “Be the Change.”
TABLE OPPORTUNITIES
We offer table opportunities ranging from $20,000 to $1 million.
Below are some of the options available.
The CHAMPION - $20,000
Recognition on all marketing materials and digital screens.
One Preferred Table for up to 10 guests.
One Membership to TPF Business and Philanthropy Dialogue Circle.
Quarter-page ad with a message of support in the digital Gala journal.
The CHANGEMAKER - $30,000
Recognition on all marketing materials and digital screens.
One Preferred Table for up to 10 guests.
Two Memberships to TPF Business and Philanthropy Dialogue Circle.
Half-page ad with a message of support in the digital Gala journal.
The PIONEER - $100,000
Recognition on all marketing materials and digital screens.
One Premier Table for up to 10 guests.
Two invitations to TPF Chair’s private reception on May 7th.
Two Memberships to TPF Business and Philanthropy Dialogue Circle.
One Full-page ad with a message of support in the digital Gala journal.
Acknowledgment in the Board Chair’s opening speech.
Named scholarship supporting five studentsor four-years of college in Türkiye.
Recognition at TPF’s Founders Society Lead Partners Level.
The CATALYST - $250,000
Recognition on all TPF Gala marketing materials and digital screens.
One Premier Table for up to 10 guests.
Six invitations to TPF Chair’s private reception on May 7th.
Two Memberships to TPF Business and Philanthropy Dialogue Circle.
Two Full-page ads with message of support in the digital Gala journal.
Acknowledgment in the Board Chair’s opening speech.
Support of one student for a year with TPF Changemaker Scholarship in the USA.
Recognition at TPF’s Founders Society’s Leadership Circle Level.
TICKET OPPORTUNITIES
The INNOVATOR - $10,000
Recognition on all marketing materials and digital screen.
Premium seating for two guests.
Two memberships to TPF Business and Philanthropy Dialogue Circle.
The SUPPORTER - $5,000
Recognition on all marketing materials and digital screen.
Premium seating for one guest.
One membership to TPF Business and Philanthropy Dialogue Circle.
The FRIEND - $2,500
Seating for one guest.
TPF Gala Sponsorship Opportunities are a unique way to support TPF through memorable event elements.
Tax deductible portion of your Gala contribution is considered corporate matching-gift eligible.
To learn more about the opportunities click here or contact TPF Director of Philanthropy, Pınar Özyürek at pinar@tpfund.org or 646 530 8988.
Gala Creative Director
Merve Gürsel
Board Member, TPF
Gala Honorary Committee
Mustafa Kemal Abadan
Co-Chair
Chair of the Board, TPF
Mehmet L. Kırdar
Co-Chair
Chairman Emeritus, TPF
Haldun Tashman
Chairman Emeritus, TPF
Aykut Karaalioğlu
Şenay Ataselim Yılmaz, Ph.D
Executive Director, TPF
Committee in Formation.
TPF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mustafa Kemal Abadan
Chair
Design Partner (Retired), Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP
Osman Coşkun Kurtuluş
Vice Chair
CFO, The Museum of the City of New York
Selin Gülçelik
Treasurer
Gülçelik Family Funds
Zeynep Oğuz Bilimer
Secretary
Founder, Zeo Communications Design
Lawrence Kaye
General Counsel
Managing Member, Kaye Spiegler, PLLC
Ahmet Bozer
Retired EVP, The Coca-Cola Company;
President, Coca-Cola International
Alper Dağlıoğlu
Managing Director, Morgan Stanley
Ayşegül İldeniz
Board Member (Doğan Holding,
Pegasus Airlines, Vestel, Zorlu Energy);
Former Global Vice President, Intel; TUSIAD Silicon Valley Chair
Bahadır Önalan
Director, Engineering, Science, and Product, Amazon
Batur Biçer
Managing Director, Napier Park Global Capital
Civan Gökay
Executive Director, UBS Investment Bank
Didem Altop
General Partner, Treeo VC
Ergün Kırlıkovalı
President, Integrated Polymer Industries, Inc.
Ersin Karaoğlu
Portfolio Manager, Brevan Howard
Gamze Ateş
Founder & CEO, My Beachy Side
Maria Figueroa Küpçü
Founding Partner, Helia Advisors
Metin Negrin
Owner & President, Lexin Capital
Merve Gürsel
Interior Designer, D by Design
Onur Erzan
Head of Private Wealth, Bernstein Private Wealth Management
Seran Müdüroğlu Trehan
Businesswoman & Philanthropist
Tamer Seçkin
Founder & President, Endometriosis Foundation of America
Ülkü Rowe
Engineering Director, CTO Office, Google Cloud
Şenay Ataselim Yılmaz, Ph.D
Executive Director, TPF
Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF) accelerates philanthropy to create lasting change in Türkiye, the US, and beyond. As a trusted community foundation, TPF provides donors with the tools and expertise to make their giving strategic, impactful, and aligned with their values.
Since its founding in 2007, TPF has become a leading philanthropic organization for the Turkish-American community, channeling close to $50 million in support of education, disaster relief, women’s empowerment, and community development. With a strong commitment to transparency and effectiveness, TPF has directly impacted more than 3 million lives and is a proud partner of over 120 nonprofit organizations.