ASLIHAN KORUYAN SABANCI "Avrupa Güzeli, Sabancı Ailesinin En Zeki Kadını Oldu."

Most people know her only as the daughter-in-law of the Sabancı Family. However, behind that name lies a young woman who represented Türkiye in beauty pageants, an academic who studied at the most prestigious universities in America and Europe, a businesswoman who has held management positions in international companies, and a writer who has won awards worldwide. At no point in her life did she choose to be known only by her surname. She built her own success through her own hard work. She attracted attention with her beauty, earned respect with her knowledge, and made a difference with her diligence. Her story is not just a story of high society; it is a story of discipline, education, determination, and a passion for continuous self-improvement. This woman, who stands out with her elegance, is an example with her academic achievements, and has managed to create her own identity in the business world and social life, is much more than the image she has presented to the public for years. Today, I will tell you not only the story of a Sabancı daughter-in-law, but also the extraordinary life story of Aslıhan Koruyan Sabancı, who managed to transcend beauty, rose through knowledge, and wrote her own story with her own pen. Aslıhan Koruyan Sabancı was born in Ankara in 1972. Growing up as the daughter of Atilla Koruyan and Tuluhan Fatma Koruyan, Aslıhan would later become a name to be reckoned with, both for her beauty and her success. Even in her youth, Aslıhan Koruyan possessed a striking appearance and in 1991, she participated in Miss Turkey, one of Türkiye's most prestigious beauty pageants. She applied under the pseudonym "Ece Balamir," not her real name. That year, she shared the stage with names who would later become famous, such as Seray Sever, Defne Samyeli, Şebnem Özinal, and Banu Sağnak. After winning the Miss Turkey pageant, Aslıhan Koruyan earned the right to represent her country on the international stage. That same year, she represented Turkey at the Miss World pageant held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Aslıhan Koruyan, who managed to be among the top ten semi-finalists among contestants from all over the world, achieved a significant success not only for Turkey but also for Europe. She attracted international attention by winning the title of "European Beauty Queen" in the competition. This success made her name known not only in Türkiye but also worldwide. However, Aslıhan Koruyan's story would not be limited to beauty pageants. Years later, her path would cross with the Sabancı family, one of Türkiye's most established families, and a new chapter in her life would begin. Having made a name for herself with her successes in beauty pageants, Aslıhan Koruyan chose not to shape her life solely in this field. For her, education was always a priority. She began her academic career at Boğaziçi University's Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. She then continued her education in the United States, studying economics and business at Texas A&M University. When she graduated from university in 1996, the doors to an international career had opened before her. After graduation, she turned to Europe to continue her education. She was accepted into the MBA program jointly run by SDA Bocconi University in Italy and Cornell University in the United States. This period in Milan allowed her to gain a closer understanding of both the business world and international management concepts. She began her professional career in 1998 at Johnson & Johnson, one of the world's largest healthcare companies. Working in the company's Medical Devices and Diagnostics division, Aslıhan Koruyan quickly assumed various responsibilities. She held various management positions at Ethicon and Ethicon Endo-Surgery, subsidiaries of Johnson & Johnson, in New York, New Jersey, Cincinnati, and Istanbul. Gaining international experience over four years, Koruyan acquired significant expertise in healthcare technologies and corporate governance. 2002 marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life. That same year, she married Demir Sabancı and joined Sedes Holding, of which she was a founding partner. Playing an active role from the company's inception, Aslıhan Koruyan Sabancı later served as Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors. However, it wasn't just her business successes that set her story apart. Aslıhan Koruyan Sabancı was one of those people who continued to learn throughout her life. She completed numerous programs at Cornell University, including hotel management, restaurant management, marketing, plant-based nutrition, and health consulting. She also obtained various certificates in business law, digital photography, French wines, medicinal herbs, and healthy living.