Suna Kıraç

    About

    Suna Kıraç was born in 1941, in Ankara. After graduating from Arnavutköy American Girls’ College, she studied Banking and Financing at Boğaziçi University. She stepped into the professional world in 1960, as the assistant to Vehbi Koç, the founder of Koç Holding. She served as the Vice President of Employee and Vice Presidency in 1970 and was elected as the Vice Chair of Koç Holding Board of Directors in 1980.
     
    Suna Kıraç contributed to many industrial, educational and cultural developments in Turkey, both in the social and professional setting.
    She led the efforts in the establishment of Koç University, Koç School and Education Volunteers Foundation of Turkey (TEGV). She received the “Outstanding Service Award” by the President of the Republic, Süleyman Demirel on October 27, 1997 with the decision dated September 23, 1997 of the Council of Ministers in recognition of the contributions she made to Turkey in the fields of education, health and social services.

    On July 1, 1999, she was deemed worthy of “Honoury Membership” of the London Business School in recognition of her contributions to Koç Holding, to the business life and to the education of Turkish children by virtue of her administration and leadership characteristics. On March 13, 2001, she was named “The Woman of the Year” by the Antalya Branch of Turkish Association of University Women in recognition of her efforts in the foundation of the Mediterranean Civilisations Research Institute and the construction of the education building of Education Volunteers Foundation of Turkey (TEGV). On November 7, 2001, she was deemed worthy of the Volunteers of the Millennium Outstanding Service Award by the Volunteer Organizations National Women’s Health Commission (KASACOM).
     
    Her book entitled “Ömrümden Uzun İdeallerim Var (My Ideals Last Longer than my Life)” edited by Rıdvan Akar was published in 2006, became one of the best sellers of the year, and the proceeds of this book were donated to TEGV.
     
     Suna Kıraç, who held the positions of Member of Vehbi Koç Foundation Administrative Board; Chair of Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation; Member of the Board of Trustees of Koç University, Turkish Education Foundation, Turkish Family Health and Planning Foundation and Robert College; Founding Member and Chair of Education Volunteers Foundation of Turkey passed away on September 15, 2020.
     
    Suna Kıraç was an impressive figure and an inspiring role model for Turkish women throughout her life as a visionary leader.