Pinar Eczacibasi, a distinguished Turkish businesswoman, member of the High Advisory Board of the Association of Young Executives and Business People (GYIAD), and founding chairperson of the Türkiye-Luxembourg Business Council, passed away at the age of 65 on May 6, according to a statement from the Eczacibasi family.
Eczacibasi was a familiar name in Türkiye's business circles and was the cousin of Bulent Eczacibasi, the chairman of the board at Eczacibasi Holding.
Pinar Eczacibasi began her education at Istanbul Fevziye Schools Foundation Isik High School. She then pursued university studies at the University of New Hampshire in the United States, where she earned a degree in Chemistry from the Faculty of Engineering. After graduating, she returned to Türkiye and completed a master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Finance at Bogazici University.
Her professional journey began at Eczacibasi Group, where she worked in the Sales and Marketing Department at Eczacibasi Pharmaceuticals Industry and Trade Inc. She later transitioned into the finance sector, serving in the credit-marketing department at Manufacturers' Hanover Trust Company in Istanbul.
Eczacibasi went on to hold leadership positions, including Head of Correspondent Banking Relations at Tekstilbank and Deputy General Manager responsible for marketing to financial institutions at ING Bank N.V. Barings in Istanbul.
Since 1998, Eczacibasi had provided financial and investment consultancy services to individuals and institutions. In 2004, she founded GP-Trust Financial Management and Consulting Ltd., which offered market research and consultancy services to those wishing to invest in Türkiye.
Between 2004 and 2014, the company also represented Türkiye for Schroder & Co Banque SA, part of the global investment and financial giant Schroders Group.
Eczacibasi served as Head of the Strategic Network of IVCI (Istanbul Venture Capital Initiative), a program advised by the European Investment Fund under the European Investment Bank. She was also an independent member of the Investment Committee of the Turkey Growth and Innovation Fund (TGIF).
She was also a member of the High Advisory Board of GYIAD, one of Türkiye’s leading civil society organizations, and the founding chairperson of the Türkiye-Luxembourg Business Council under Türkiye's Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK).
Within DEIK, Eczacibasi held key roles, including Chair of the Audit Board and Vice Chair for the Europe Region. In 2012, she was honored with Belgium's highest recognition by King Philippe for her contributions to bilateral relations, during her tenure as Chair of the Türkiye-Belgium Business Council at DEIK. Since 2013, she had also been appointed as a "Diplomatic Economic Advisor" in Türkiye by the Belgian Government.
Eczacibasi was also a member of the Finance Club and a founding member of the Foundation for the Protection of Significant Historical Monuments in Istanbul.