From the Founders

The Journey of Naya

Biography

I’m Nuray Kurtur, co-founder of Naya, and I’m thrilled to share our collective story and vision with you.
My path to sustainability and responsible business practices took root during my academic journey. After earning my BA in Business Administration at Istanbul University, I became captivated by the potential of businesses to drive positive change. This led me to further my education at Cornell University, diving deep into Sustainable Business. My quest for knowledge didn’t end there; I pursued Negotiation Mastery at Harvard and participated in an inspiring Women’s Leadership program at Yale. These experiences expanded my worldview and underscored the critical role of diversity in the business landscape.

With over two decades of experience in major U.S. retailers, I’ve led numerous initiatives in change management, sustainability, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). These roles have honed my skills and provided me with the insights necessary to steer organizations through significant transformations.
Naya was born out of a shared passion for social entrepreneurship and a wealth of professional experience. My career, marked by roles such as a Bar Raiser Negotiator at Amazon and an advocate for DEI in leading retail companies, has always centered around the ethos of contributing positively to society. Naya is the embodiment of this principle, representing more than just a business—it’s a commitment to fostering a better world through sustainable practices and ethical leadership.

At Naya, our mission is a collaborative one: to inspire and support organizations in their embrace of sustainability and Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) principles. We believe that embedding sustainability into the core of business operations is essential for achieving long-term success, resilience, and staying relevant in an ever-evolving global landscape.

As we move forward with Naya, we invite you to join our journey. Whether you are just starting to consider sustainability in your business strategies or are an experienced leader in this field, we are here to offer guidance and support. Together, we can build a future that is not only sustainable and responsible but also prosperous for everyone involved.

Best,
Nuray Kurtur

Education

  • Ph.D., Accounting & Finance, University of Strathclyde, Scotland
  • M.S.F., Finance, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, 2006
  • M.B.A., Taxation, Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA, 1983