Leyla Alaton
Turkish businesswoman and art collector
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leyla Alaton is a Turkish businesswoman and art collector, and a member of the board of the Alarko group of companies.[1] She has held that position since 2008.[2] She is also a Board Member of Alvimedica Medical Devices.[3]
Biography
Alaton was born in Istanbul. She is the daughter of İshak Alaton,[4] one of the founders of Alarko Holding, one of the largest business conglomerates in Turkey, listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange. Her father died on September 11, 2016.[5]
Alaton studied at Şişli Terakki Primary School, Sainte-Pulchérie French Secondary School and Notre Dame de Sion French High School in Istanbul.[6] She also has a degree in business administration and management from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and completed a master's degree in social sciences at New York University.[1]
Alaton started her entrepreneurial career by selling belts[7] while in the United States. She is a founding member of Kadiger, the Turkish Association of Women Entrepreneurs.[8] She is a popular speaker on women's rights issues and on the role of women in modern Turkey, as well as fostering social entrepreneurship.[3][9]
In 1993, she was one of the first Leaders of the Future named at the Davos World Economic Forum.[1][6] In 2014, she was made Chevalier of the French Légion d'honneur.[10]
Art
Alaton collects contemporary art by artists from Turkey and abroad.[6] She is a member of Contemporary Art Istanbul Consultative Committee and the Leadership Council of the New Museum in New York City.[11]
Honours
- Chevalier (Knight) of the French Légion d'honneur (1994).[10]