Pelin Hoskan Co-President of TAVPA
Pelin graduated as a Mathematical Engineer from Yıldız Technic University in Istanbul, Türkiye. She spent five years working as a database developer in London. While working as a CRM specialist, she completed a marketing program at Guildhall University..
Pelin’s true passion lies in the arts. After a midlife career change, she fully embraced her artistic journey, starting with her first exhibition, The Street Vendor’s, in Istanbul. Her work has earned multiple awards, including the “Best Photo Award” for Loneliness, juried by Barbara J. Mason, and recognition as the featured artist at the Envision Arts Show for her photograph Chairs, curated by Ginger Cochran.
A key moment in Pelin’s artistic journey was participating in an exhibition curated by Elizabeth Mellot at Collin College. It was her first experience with darkroom photography, using an analog camera and processing film by hand. Meeting Ms. Mellot inspired Pelin to pursue further education in Art and Art History to deepen her understanding of traditional techniques.
Pelin is a passionate advocate for the arts and philanthropy. She is Co-President of the Turkish American Visual and Performing Arts nonprofit and serves as Art Chair for the Assembly of Turkish American Associations (ATAA). Additionally, she supports youth education through organizations like Bridge to Fund (BTF), PAYDA, and the Contemporary Education Organization (COEDFO). Her roles highlight her dedication to both the arts and community impact.
Nuşin Van Winkle Co-President of TAVPA
Dr. Nuşin Van Winkle earned her medical degree from Dokuz Eylul University in Izmir, Turkey, and has over 25 years of experience teaching medical courses in higher education. Passionate about lifelong learning and student success, she is recognized for her innovation and mentorship and is dedicated to inclusive and engaging education, particularly in online and blended learning.
Before transitioning to academia, Dr. Van Winkle worked as a Product Manager at Santa Pharma Pharmaceuticals, leading marketing strategies and conducting research in medical literature. She also served as Chief of the Medical Department at Marm Medical Assistance, where she organized and executed urgent medical repatriations, cost analysis, and resource allocation.
Beyond academia, she serves as the Co-President of TAVPA, in the Dallas BTF Circle, and as Dallas Coordinator for Turks Without Borders, which connects Turkish American students with high school students in Turkey to teach English. She also mentors young women in STEM through initiatives like HerWorld and participates as a Science Fair Judge. Deeply connected to her home region of Hatay, she is actively involved in fundraising efforts to support Turkish students who are disadvantaged by the recent earthquake.
İpek Rudd Secretary of TAVPA
Ipek Imren Rudd was born in Ankara, Turkey and raised in Dallas, Texas. She is a graduate of L.V. Berkner High School in Richardson, Texas and upon graduation, she attended Texas A&M University – College Station, where she met her future husband, Tony. Ipek earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Marketing. She also earned her Certificate of International Business from the College of Business Administration and Graduate School of Business.
While being a stay-at-home mom, Ipek earned an additional Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Maryland, University College. She served various volunteer positions including Treasurer of the Darmstadt Spouses’ Club, Volunteer Coordinator of the Hohenfels Spouses’ Club, Treasurer of the Mountain Post Spouses’ Club (Fort Carson, Colorado), and Parliamentarian of the Fort Bliss Spouses’ Association. She also served as Delta Company, 32nd Signal Battalion’s Family Readiness Group Leader. Ipek increased her tax knowledge by volunteering in the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) programs at Cambrai-Fritsch-Karserne, Darmstadt, Germany, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and Fort Bliss, Texas. She was a Girl Scout Leader for her daughter, Sera’s troop, and coached her son, John’s, soccer team for four years.
In 2023 Ipek completed her Master of Science in Accounting from Southern Methodist University. Upon graduation she began her career at Andersen, LLC, in Dallas, as a Tax Associate. She
Aylin Gomez Treasurer of TAVPA
Aylin is a commercial photographer with a strong background in business and finance, blending creativity with strategic thinking. Specializing in weddings, events, newborn, portrait, product, architectural, and landscape photography, she has worked with Mom365, capturing newborns in hospital settings, and Orion Photo Group, photographing weddings and special events. She also volunteers as a photographer for the City of McKinney.
Her career began in finance and management, where she developed expertise in business operations, client relations, and strategic planning. As Major Account Manager at Esbank in Istanbul, she managed high-value clients like Toyota and Colgate, increasing her portfolio by 150% annually. Later, as Treasurer of the Florida Turkish American Association, she expanded fundraising efforts, grew membership, and managed financial planning for a 500+ member organization. She also worked in insurance and financial services with Farmers Insurance, assisting clients with financial planning and risk management.
Community engagement has always been a priority for Aylin. She has served on multiple Turkish association boards, including the Turkish American Student Association of Virginia Tech, Florida Turkish American Association (Treasurer), and TURANT, the Turkish American Association of North Texas (President). Additionally, she is one of the founders and the Treasurer of TAVPA, the Turkish American Visual and Performing Arts organization.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and Turkish (native), Aylin excels in relationship-building, negotiation, and project management. With an MBA in Finance from Virginia Tech and a Commercial Photography certification from Collin College, she combines artistic excellence with business acumen, ensuring impactful results in both creative and commercial endeavors.
Nur Gurel Visual Art Director of TAVPA
Nur Gürel, born in Istanbul in 1980. She completed her undergraduate studies in the Department of Painting at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in 2004, where she was admitted with first place and graduated with honors. She then pursued her master’s degree at the same institution, graduating in 2007.
Having held three solo exhibitions, Gürel’s works have been showcased in numerous prestigious group exhibitions and she has participated in symposiums across Turkey, the USA, Germany, Moldova, and Bulgaria.
Gürel has won several awards, including the `Sakıp Sabancı Art Award. Her works have been featured in books like “Feminist Art in Resistance, Aesthetics, Methods and Politics of Art in Turkey,”and “Ekphrasis Trilogy”. Her series titled “Toy with Proportions,” has been featured in publications and digital platforms such as People, CBC, Frizzifrizzi, HuffPost, El Mundo, Buzzfeed, Refinery29, and Milliyet Sanat.
Between 2009 and 2012, she worked with “216 Thinking And Production Zone,” She continued her collaborations with the “KRE Collective” and “Online 40 Minutes” initiatives. With the K.R.E. Collective, she curated the exhibition “Women, Dreams, Dragons,” which was shown simultaneously with the Guerrilla Girls’ “It’s Even Worse in Europe” exhibition at Gaia Gallery.
She is a founding member and Visual Arts Director of the non-profit Turkish American Visual and Performing Arts Association. Nur Gürel is also an art educator, currently residing in Dallas, where she continues to create.
Seyhan Kasaburi Performing Art Co-Director of TAVPA
Seyhan was born and raised in Izmir, where she developed a passion for dance at an early age. She began her journey with the Folklore Music Youth Club (FOMGED) as a dancer before transitioning into teaching within the organization. She participated in numerous international dance festivals across Europe and contributed to projects under the Youth Sports General Directorate (GSGM). As a folk dance instructor and choreographer, she also worked with the Turkish Mechanical Engineers Union (TMMOB) in Izmir, directing multiple recitals.
Seyhan became a certified coach through the Turkish Folk Dance Federation and dedicated many years to teaching at various elementary schools and dance clubs as part of Ministry of Education programs. She studied Business from Anadolu University and later expanded her skill set by completing a Software QA Engineering program in the United States.
In 2014, she co-founded Rakkas Dance Ensemble with Tuzer Ballet in Richardson, TX. In 2016, she collaborated with the ensemble on behalf of the Turkish Consulate in Houston at Awty International School. Since 2022, she has been teaching belly dance and traditional dances to adult groups. Beyond her work in folk dance, she also became a certified Zumba instructor. She continues to play an active role in the company and remains deeply involved in multiple organizations as both a Folk Dance and Zumba instructor, sharing her love of dance with diverse communities.
Seyhan feels that it is important for her students to feel confident, motivated and inspired at all times and that they are growing in an environment they feel comfortable in no matter their shape, age and physical ability. She loves sharing her passion for dance across diverse cultures, embracing the unique expressions and traditions each one brings.
Onur Kasaburi Performing Art Co-Director of TAVPA
Onur Kasaburi was born and raised in Izmir, Turkey, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Turkish Music and Dance Techniques from Ege University State Music Conservatory. In 2009, he participated in the Erasmus Intensive Dance Program at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Passionate about preserving and promoting Turkish culture, he has traveled extensively across Europe, performing and sharing his heritage with diverse audiences.
For over six years, Onur served on the board of the Folklore Music Youth Club (FOMGED) in Izmir and was an executive board member of the International Dance Festivals of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality from 2006 to 2009, contributing to artistic and cultural initiatives. He earned a European Union Project Leadership certification from the Turkish National Agency Ankara in 2006 and 2007. From 2005 to 2008, he worked on various projects at the Turkish State Music Conservatory as a stage lighting and costume assistant while actively participating in performances such as Ekin 18, 19, 20, Kampanalar Çalıyor, and Koy-u Kırmızı. In 2009, he was one of the soloist dancers in a Broadway show during a U.S. tour.
Onur has also contributed to arts education, teaching Turkish folk dance in various schools under the Turkish Ministry of Education. From 2009 to 2012, he collaborated with Ege University’s Textile Engineering Department and served as a performing arts coordinator for the Turkish Mechanical Engineers Union (TMMOB) in Izmir, directing multiple recitals during that time.
In 2013, he moved to Dallas, TX, and a year later co-founded the Rakkas Dance Ensemble in partnership with Tuzer Ballet in Richardson, TX. Over the years, he has trained and choreographed performances for more than 50 American dancers, staging recitals, festival performances, and cultural collaborations, including a 2016 performance with the Turkish Consulate in Houston at Awty International School. He continues to celebrate and showcase Turkish dance and music with American artists.
Beyond his artistic endeavors, Onur is also a dedicated software engineer, seamlessly blending his technical expertise with his passion for the arts and cultural projects.
Alev Wieland Trustee of TAVPA
Alev Wieland has Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from University of Cincinnati, OH. Worked for Balcan Engineering at Proctor of Gamble as Project Engineer for 7 years. She retired from PepsiCo, Inc-AMEA Capability Director in 2012.
Alev has extensive experience in Lean Manufacturing, Lean Product Life Cycle Management, Equipment and Processes Development. Project Management, Construction Management, Food Manufacturing, Paper Converting, Cosmetics and Laundry Soap Industries. She has a solid understanding of Engineering, Manufacturing and Operations Processes.
Alev is the CEO of Manufacturing Excellence Technical Services and Alev Cosmetics.
Alev has been serving as the President-Elect of ATAA since May 2024. She served on the ATAA Board of Directors as the Southwest Region Vice President from 2020 to 2024 and as First Vice President from October 2023 to May 2024. Alev also serves as the co-Chair of the ATAA UN Relations Committee and Chair of the ATAA Newsletter Committee.
Alev is a hands-on crafts person. She is expert in stained glass making, woodworking, crocheting, needlepoint, paper art and sewing. She serves as Trustee of the Turkish American Visual and Performing Arts (TAVPA) organization.
She is the Secretary General and NGO Relations Director Contemporary Education Foundation (COEDFO) since 2013, has been responsible for organizational communication, meetings management, documentation, website management. As an active member of the Turkish American Association of Northern Texas (TURANT) Alev serves as Trustee since 2022.
Since 2008, Alev has taken an active role at her local Main Street Organization and International Community, helping with organizations of the major festivals that are proven to become the key events that provide income to the city. She served as President of Cincinnati Turkish American Association (CTAA) from 1994 to 1996.
