Founders

Suna Kıraç

Suna Kıraç graduated from Arnavutköy Girls Private High School and studied banking and finance at Boğazici University. She took an active part in Koç Holding from 1961, the year she began to work with her father, Mr. Vehbi Koç, to 2010, the year she left the position of Vice Chair for the Board of Directors.

Besides being actively involved in work life and pioneering the establishment of Koç Private High School and Koç University, she played an important role in setting up various institutions, such as TEGV (Educational Volunteers Foundation of Türkiye), AKMED (Mediterranean Civilizations Research Institute), Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation, Pera Museum, Suna and İnan Kıraç Neurodegeneration Research Laboratory (NDAL) and Istanbul Research Institute.

Suna Kıraç, who made many contributions to the areas of education, culture, arts and health, also received various awards for her efforts, including the Republic of Türkiye Outstanding Service Medal, Directorate General of Foundation’s Associates Honorary Award, Boğaziçi University Title of Honorary PhD, London School of Business Honorary Fellowship, and the Galatasaray Education Foundation Honorary Medal.

On September 15th, 2020, Suna Kıraç passed away. As a visionary leader for her entire life, especially for the women of Türkiye, she became an inspirational role model who left her mark. We will be forever grateful to her.

İnan Kıraç

İnan Kıraç started his career in Koç Group and, in 1994, was promoted to the highest position in the Group, “Chief Executive Officer,” after working as an executive in various areas for 35 years. He retired from Koç Group in 1998 and established Kıraça Holding with his close colleagues. He played an important role in the establishment of the Galatasaray Education Foundation, AKMED (Mediterranean Civilizations Research Institute), Antalya Kaleiçi Museum, Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation, Pera Museum, Suna and İnan Kıraç Neurodegeneration Research Laboratory (NDAL) and Istanbul Research Institute. He received the title of Honorary PhD from Istanbul University, Galatasaray University and Süleyman Demirel University.

One of the founders of TEGV (Educational Volunteers Foundation of Türkiye), İnan Kıraç built TEGV’s Suna and İnan Kıraç Education Park, located in Antalya, in 2001, as well as the Ali Numan Kıraç Activity Location in Eskişehir, in 2006. His philanthropic activities also include building the Semiha Kıraç Primary School and Osmangazi University Faculty of Agriculture’s Museum and Library.

İnan Kıraç continues to work as President of the Galatasaray Education Foundation, Chair of the Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation, Member of TEVDAK (Turkish Education Foundation Solidarity Council), President of Galatasaray Alliance Paris, Member of Galatasaray Sports Club Council, Member of TEGV Board of Trustees, Member of Coşkunöz Education Foundation and Board of Trustees Member for Darülaceze Foundation.

İpek Kıraç

İpek Kıraç graduated from Koç Private High School in 2002 and from Brown University Department of Biology in 2007. During her undergraduate studies at Brown University, she gained research experience at Cecil B. Day Laboratory for Neuromuscular Research at UMass Medical School led by Dr. Robert H. Brown, a leading researcher in ALS. She also gained clinical experience via a summer internship at Istanbul American Hospital’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation led by Prof. Ender Berker.

Between 2012 and 2021, she was the CEO of Sirena Marine Maritime Industry and Trade Inc., transforming the company from a contract manufacturer to producer of luxury sail and motorboats under a newly created brand, placing the company among the 500 largest exporting companies in Türkiye. Excellence in production and brand recognition also resulted in the company becoming a preferred supplier for defense and automotive projects. Under her leadership, the company’s turnover grew by 5 times in less than 10 years and profitability increased by 20 times during the same period, turning the company into a major global player in the industry. She continues to be Chair of the Board of Directors.

İpek Kıraç is also a Founding Member of the Board of Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation. She recently launched Suna’nın Kızları (Suna’s Daughters, named in honor of her late mother, Suna Kıraç), an education initiative which takes a multi-dimensional and holistic approach to creating ecosystems of support that aim to empower girls to identify and pursue their dreams. She also launched SemtPati (Neighborhood Paws) Foundation to contribute to the welfare of stray animals by using digital technologies and mobilizing 25.000 registered volunteers around data-based solutions.

İpek Kıraç is a Member of the Board of Directors of Vehbi Koç Foundation, Temel Trade and Investment Inc., American Hospital (Moment Health Services Trade Inc.), Zer Central Services Inc., Arçelik Marketing Inc. and Setur Service Touristic Inc.

In addition, she continues to work as the Chair of the Board of Directors of Koç School and as a Member of the Board of Trustees of Koç University, Galatasaray Education Foundation and both Member of the Board and Member of the Board of Trustees of Educational Volunteers Foundation of Türkiye (TEGV).

She has been a Member of Koç Holding Board of Directors since 2016.