TAİDER 11th National Family Businesses Summit

Fatma OLTEN

Fatma Olten was born in 1968, is married, and has two children.
She graduated from Middle East Technical University with a degree in Industrial Engineering in 1988.
After holding various positions in the private sector between 1987 and 2000, she began working at their family business, Elsis Energy, and Promeda Industry, which she co-founded, in 2000.

Her current active roles include:

• Member of the Board of Directors and General Manager of Promeda Industry Inc.,

• Member of the Board of Directors of Elsis Energy Ltd.,

• Member of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Board of Directors of Olten Art Foundation,

• Chair of the Executive Committee of the Olten Philharmonic Orchestra,

• Chair of the Board of Directors of TAIDER Family Business Association (2023–2025),

• Chair of the Culture and Arts Committee of Rotary International District 2440 (2023–2024),

• Member of EGIAD Advisory Board.

In 2013, together with her husband Ceyhan Olten, they founded the Olten Art Foundation and Olten Philharmonic Orchestra, with the belief that one of the significant contributions they could make to their community was supporting the arts.

The foundation’s primary goal is to provide employment opportunities and a platform for young artists who, after many years of conservatory training, struggle to find work opportunities, as well as to offer support for their international education. Through this platform, the foundation aims to help artists introduce society to the universal language of music, its bright and loving face.

Farhad FORBES

Farhad Forbes is Co-Chairman of Forbes Marshall.  He is also Chairman of the CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) National Committee on CSR and Chair of the Board of Family Business International (FBN), an international association of 4500 family owned businesses in 65 countries.

Farhad received his Bachelor’s and Master’s in electrical engineering from Stanford University. He also received a Master’s in Management from the Sloan Master’s Program at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Murat ÜLKER

Murat Ülker was born in 1959. He graduated from the Management Department of the School of Administrative Sciences at Boğaziçi University, Istanbul.

Mr Ülker studied sector-specific subjects at international schools such as the American Institute of Baking (AIB) and Zentralfachschule der Deutschen Süßwarenwirtschaft (ZDS), serving an internship at American company Continental Baking. In three years, he visited nearly 60 biscuit, chocolate and food factories in the United States and Europe. He also worked on various projects for the International Executive Service Corps (IESC).

Mr Ülker joined Yıldız Holding in 1984 as a Control Coordinator. Over the following years he assumed the roles of Assistant General Manager, and then General Director. As a member of the Executive Committee and a Board Member of various companies in the group, he led a series of cornerstone investments.

In 2000 Mr Ülker became Chairman of the Executive Committee, serving as Chairman for eight years. In 2008 he became Chairman of the Board of Directors. As of January 29, 2020, Ülker continues to take an active role in companies affiliated to the holding as a Member of the Board.

Mr Ülker is known for his interest in modern art and Islamic calligraphy. He enjoys sailing and travelling with his wife and three children.

Pelin AKIN ÖZALP

After graduating from Surrey University, UK, in 2010, Pelin Akın Özalp started her career in the Deutsche Bank. Following her return to Turkey, she attended the MT Program of TAV Airports Holdings. Later moving on to the parent company, she has been serving as a Board Member in Akfen Holding as of 2012.

She is an active member of the Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors at TİKAV (Turkish Human Resources Education and Health Foundation) and Vice President of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award-Türkiye National Committee. She is also Chairwoman at the Advisory Board of the Contemporary Turkish Studies Chair founded in London School of Economics since 2010.

She has been serving in DEİK(Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey) as a Board Member in Spanish, British and US Business Councils. She is also a Board Member of Turkish Tourism Investors Association (TTYD), Turkey Business Women's Association (TIKAD), the Marine Environment Protection Association (TURMEPA), Turkish Enterprise and Business Confederation (TURKONFED) and American Turkish Society (ATS) Boards and in Steering Committee Member of Inclusive Capitalism at the moment.

Previously, her experience entails different Board Memberships in various networks such as Association of Family Businesses (TAİDER) and Turkey Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Young Entrepreneurs Advisory Councils, Association of Women in Board of Directors (YKKD). She was elected as the youngest deputy board member in TUSIAD in 2014.

Currently serving as Board Member of Akfen Holding, and Board of Directors Member of Akfen Renewable Energy, Akfen REIT, Istanbul Sea Buses (İDO) and Travelex.

She has enjoyed her YPO network from 2013-2020.

Sara SARAR

Sara Sarar was born on July 18, 1991 in Eskişehir. After completing her secondary and high school education in Eskişehir, she graduated from Bahçeşehir University, Faculty of Communication, Advertising Department in 2014.

She attended long-term educational studies in the fields of advertising, marketing and fashion design at Galatasaray University, University of the Arts London, Central Saint Martins and New York University between 2008 and 2015.

In 2014, she started working as the Advertising and Brand Director within the family company Sarar Group.

In 2018, She became a member of Sarar Group Board of Directors and actively continues take part as a Board Member of Sarar Group to this day.

In 2021, she joined Anadolu University Advisory Board as a member.

Sara Sarar has been a Member of the Board of Directors since 2020 at the SosyalBen Foundation, which operates as a non-governmental organization. In 2003, she also became a member of the Youth Board of the SosyalBen Foundation.

Sinem ÖKSÜZ DEDEBAYRAKTAR

In 2012, She graduated from Koç University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. She studied business administration at New York University.

She started her career at Kipaş Paper at the end of 2013. Immediately after, she started her duty as the founder representative of Private Kipaş Educational Institutions in 2014. She is a member of Kipas Holding's board of directors responsible for the paper, packaging, education and logistics sectors.

Öksüz Dedebayraktar is also a board member of Istanbul Furniture Paper and Forest Products Exporters' Association and AGED (Waste Paper and Recyclers Association).

Süleyman ÇALIŞKAN

He was born in 1993 in Adana. He studied at TOBB University of Economics and Technology and Moscow State University. During his university education, he founded and served as CEO of start-up companies such as 10 Seconds and The Gardrobe with his partners. After his graduation, he held various duties at Hamdi Ulukaya Initiative by Chobani in USA. He returned to Turkey in 2018 and took over the family company Goldeks Textile, designing and producing finished fabrics for global brands. 

Süleyman Çalışkan is a junior board member of the SosyalBen foundation and he is fluent in English

Günhan ULUSOY

In April 2022 Mr. Ulusoy was appointed as Chairman of Black Sea Grain, Pulses and Oilseeds Exporters’ Association.

He previously held the position of Chairman of the Executive Board of the Turkish Flour Industrialists’ Federation (TUSAF) (2015- April 2022).

He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Ulusoy Flour Mills and Söke Milling Companies.

He is also the honorary consul of Indonesia in Samsun.

He has a degree in Economics and Administrative Sciences from Boğaziçi University, and a Masters and Ph.D. degree in Agricultural Economics from Ondokuz Mayıs University.

Meltem AKOL

Meltem Akol graduated from Istanbul University, Faculty of Law in 1991 after completing her education at Robert College Istanbul. She received her master's degree from Harvard University, School of Law.

Her legal career started at an international law firm in 1991. By 2007, she was appointed as Partner which was followed by her role as the Managing Partner of the Istanbul Office from 2009 until the end of 2015. Since 2016, she has been continuing her career as the Founding and Managing Partner of Akol Law Firm.

Meltem Akol’s 30+ year practice concentrates mainly on capital markets, cross-border mergers and acquisitions, corporate law, private equity transactions, joint ventures, banking and structured finance and PPPs.

Meltem has been involved in numerous major transactions involving Turkish companies operating in a wide range of sectors across the value spectrum most of the “first of their kind” and “most complex of their kind” transactions in Turkey and many international and big-size capital markets and M&A transactions.

Meltem represents domestic and multinational strategic investors, as well as private equity funds in connection with their investments in Turkey. She acts for equity investors, investment funds and financiers across various sectors. Throughout her career, she developed her expertise from multiple perspectives by taking part in different sides of projects.

Meltem Akol has been recognized as one of the best and most experienced lawyers by international ratings agencies, widely accepted in the international arena and described as one of the undoubted leading Capital Markets and M&A lawyers of Turkey, her success being ranked as Tier 1 by all well-known legal directories and bringing her various awards given to selected women leaders and best transactional lawyers around the world.

Meltem Akol is an alternate member of the Board of Directors at the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) and continues to serve as the TÜSİAD Economy and Finance Roundtable Vice President.

Sabri ÜNLÜTÜRK

Mustafa Sabri Ünlütürk, Chairperson of Sun Group Companies, was born in Istanbul in 1958. He completed his high school education at Söke and Buca High Schools, and graduated from Ege University Faculty of Geology Engineering in 1980.

After graduation, he continued to work in the family business in the production sector. After completing his military service, he began to work professionally. In 1987, he co-founded Sun Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. with Sedat Şükrü Ünlütürk, and they continue their business activities together.

He served as the President of the Aegean Garment Manufacturers Association (EGSD) between 1998 and 2000.

From 2001 to 2005, he held the position of Vice President of the Aegean Clothing Exporters' Association and simultaneously served as the President of Turkey Textile Clothing Leather Industry Technology and Design Research Development Foundation (TARGEV).

From April 2010 to April 2018, he was a Board Member of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) and the President of the Aegean Textile and Raw Materials Exporters' Association. From May 2014 to April 2018, he served as the Coordinator President of the Aegean Exporters' Unions. He held the position of Chairperson of the Technical Textiles Research & Development Center [TEKSMER] Board of Directors from December 2015 to 2022.

Currently, Mustafa Sabri Ünlütürk serves as a Board Member of the Aegean Iron and Non-Ferrous Metals Exporters' Association. Since 2019, he has been the Chairperson of İzmir Science Park. Since 2022, he has been the President of the Torbalı Mixed and Furniture Organized Industrial Zone. He continues to serve as a member of Board of Trustee of İzmir Economics University.

Mustafa Sabri Ünlütürk, is the Deputy Chairperson of Sun Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş, Ekoten Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., JK Mağazacılık Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., Ames Europe Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. and TDU Savunma Sistemleri Teknik Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş..

He is married and has a daughter. He is proficient in English.

İpek HEKİMOĞLU

İpek Hekimoğlu began her career in 1997 as a Management Trainee at Demirbank. After working in the Corporate Finance department of Türkiye Sınai Kalkınma Bankası (Turkey Industrial Development Bank) from 2001 to 2005, she joined the Finansinvest Investment Banking team in 2005 as a manager and was appointed Deputy General Manager in 2014.

With over 25 years of experience and 18 years of managerial experience, she provides consulting services to companies in various sectors, including initial public offerings and bond/treasury issuances in capital markets, as well as privatization projects, company mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships.

Having graduated from Istanbul University with a degree in Business Administration in English, İpek Hekimoğlu works with a wide range of domestic and foreign companies, helping them create alternative sources of financing, contributing to their institutionalization and growth, and conducting comprehensive work on various aspects, including the formulation of strategies.

Gözde KÜÇÜK ADIYAMAN

Born in 1984 in İstanbul, Gözde Küçük Adıyaman graduated from Üsküdar American Academy in 2002 and earned a B.A. (cum laude) degree in Political Economy from Princeton University in 2006 with certificates in Near Eastern Studies and European Politics and Society. Her Princeton senior thesis entitled “Diplomacy of Seismic Waves: Greek-Turkish Earthquake Diplomacy, 1999-2002” was the recipient of the Senior Thesis Prize. She attended Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) between 2006-2008 and earned an M.A. degree with distinction in International Relations and Economics. 

She is Board Member and Deputy General Manager at Elit Chocolate, one of the oldest Turkish companies exporting to more than 80 countries around the world. In 2009, Ms. Küçük Adıyaman spent time in Germany, working at the Mayor’s Office in Wiesbaden on projects related to the integration of qualified immigrants. Later same year, she assumed the role of inaugural Program Director at Global Relations Forum (GRF) where she now serves as Board Member since May 2023. At GRF, she directed task forces as well as Young Scholars / Young Scholars Abroad policy seminars.

Ms. Küçük Adıyaman later worked in the Finance Department of Koç Holding  gaining experience in different industrial sectors, until she assumed an active role at Elit Chocolate in December 2013. She is President of Princeton Alumni Association of Turkey and Mentor at Endeavor Turkey.

Gözde Küçük Adıyaman speaks fluent English and German with working knowledge of Italian and Spanish. She is married and has one daughter.

Serra TAŞKENT

After graduating from St. Georg Austrian High School and Commerce Academy, (Österreichisches St. Georgs-Kolleg) went to study at Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts, Department of Business Administration and Geography of Economics.

Upon graduation started working at Siemens AG, Istanbul.

Received a Masters of Science in Finance degree at Boston College Carroll School of Management, and then returned to work at Siemens AG.

In 2000, she started working at Hamamcıoğlu Müesseseleri (established in 1880), her family company for 5 generations, as the manager responsible for new business development until 2014.

In 2009, she has started working simultaneously at Splendid Palas hotel foreseeing the renovations and restorations of the 100+ year old Hotel.

Since 2014, she is working on making the world see her "Splendid way of Life",

Serra Taşkent is married and mother of Tara and Erim.

Günter SOYDANBAY

Günter is an insight-filled brand strategist with significant experience helping big brands, complex stakeholder organizations, and governments around the world. Holding a B.Sc. in Psychology, the unconscious mind heavily influences his thinking about brands. 

As a self-proclaimed Organizational Troubadour, Günter treats brands as stories. Consequently, he developed a unique, narrative-based, purpose-driven brand strategy approach, drawing parallels between branding and mythology, dreams, and stories.

His multi-disciplinary background, PROSCI change management certification, and ability to blend different fields, such as appreciative inquiry, systems thinking, behavioural economics and archetypal psychology, allow him to create positive change and transform brands and organizations. 

Relevant experience:

Toronto Montreal Stock Exchange / Ontario Ministry of Education / Ontario Power Authority / Carvana / Kingsett / Meyer Bergman / Verdion / Morgan Stanley / Rogers / Brookfield / Cadillac Fairview / Crate & Barrel / FOX TV / Weber Grills / Mead Johnson & Company  / Tourism Costa Rica / Tourism Turkey / Brand Qatar / Borden Ladner Gervais LLP / Cassels / Reitmans 

Ece ÇİFTÇİ

Ece (she/her) believes that a better world can only be achieved with civil society participation and active citizenship. She has worked as an advocate for children’s access to quality education and for young people’s social cohesion and representation under the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

She is also the founder and chairperson of the SosyalBen Foundation, launched in Istanbul, which has since expanded its operations to 11 countries. The foundation empowers disadvantaged youth through art, workshops, and events.

Ece served as a youth delegate to the Council of Europe in 2022. She advocates inside and outside European institutions for children’s rights and youth empowerment. She continues her phd in Antropolog.

Sertaç YERLİKAYA

Sertaç Yerlikaya is a seasoned technology strategy, and digital transformation professional with broad experience in FMCG, consulting, telco, manufacturing and academia. In 2019, Sertaç was appointed as a strategy consultant at TÜBİTAK to work on the development of the "National Technology Move" strategy and roadmaps of the Ministry of Industry and Technology.  She led development of 2023 Industry and Technology Strategy, National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, Mobility Vehicles and Technologies Roadmap, 5G and Beyond Communication Technologies Roadmap, Digital Transformation Roadmap of the Industry. In order to accelerate the Digital Transformation of SMEs, she  transformed the D3A assessment tool developed at Boğaziçi University into a nationwide DDX Consulting model.

Sertaç Yerlikaya, who was the Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Industry and Technology , was a Steering Committee Member of the 4th Industrial Revolution Center of Türkiye, established by the World Economic Forum, and the Ministry of Industry and Technology and the Turkish Metal Industrialists' Union. She is also the Vice President of the Industry 4.0 Platform of Boğaziçi University.

Sertac is also director of Turkiye Open Source Platform, one of the pioneer projects of the 2023 strategy. She is in charge of the establishment of a new way of coding schools, based on peer learning in Türkiye initiated by the Ecole 42 network, and the development of open source projects among the Platform members. With this role, Sertaç Yerlikaya has been awarded as the "Leader Making Difference with New Technologies" in the Women Leaders of Technology competition organized by Microsoft in cooperation with KAGIDER and Habitat Association.

Prior to these duties, she had experience in different sectors from retail to telecommunications, from consumer goods to consultancy. She worked as a Strategy Planning Manager in a private company, responsible for a wide geography in Africa and the Middle East. Later, she became the Strategy Planning and Business Development Manager at a telecommunications company. She is the founder of Afillikitap.com, Turkey's first online photobook service.

Being a strong believer in women empowerment Sertac takes an active role in nation’s leading women empowerment and mentorship network. As part of her continuous efforts to inspire and grow leaders, she regularly contributes to international research and teaches on Business 4.0 and Digital Transformation Strategy fields.

She is married and has a son named Kaya who enjoys learning with curiosity. She is actively involved in the empowerment and guidance networks of women and youth in Türkiye.

Şive SEPİCİ GÜLEŞGEN

Graduated from Izmir Saint Joseph French High School in 2011, Şive Sepici Güleşgen completed her undergraduate education at Istanbul Bilgi University Faculty of Law in 2015. She completed her master's degree with a thesis at Istanbul Bilgi University, Informatics and Technology Law Program.

After registering to the Istanbul Bar Association in 2016, she worked as a lawyer in various global law firms. In 2019, she established S&M Attorneys at Law in Izmir and transferred to Izmir Bar Association.

In addition to her profession as a lawyer, she is the board member of Sepiciler Deri since 2021 where she is a 4th generation representative.

Canberk MERSİN

Oktay MERSİN

Mehmet ONARCAN

In his 27 years of entrepreneurial experience, he has developed innovative businesses. He is one of the founders of Turkey's first home health technologies company and Project House, one of the first digital marketing agencies. Developing marketing technologies and innovative products, Project House was ranked among the top 10 fastest growing technology companies in Turkey and among the top 300 technology companies in the EMEA region.

After years of continuous growth, he made successful exits from both of his companies. The sale of Project House to Havas, one of the 5 largest advertising groups in the world in 2010, was one of the first exit successes before the startup ecosystem was formed in Turkey.

Onarcan has invested in a total of 20 startups since 2014. Closely supporting their growth and development, he has also been active as a lead investor in some of the startups he has invested in. With his extensive experience, he has taken part in many incubation, acceleration programs and competitions as a mentor, jury member, educator and consultant and also supported national and international events as a speaker.

In 2015, he founded Mentors Network Turkey (MNT), Turkey's first mentor and expert network focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. On one side MNT works for the development of the ecosystem and the success of startups and on the other side provides services that enable large companies to better prepare for the future by exploiting innovation and entrepreneurship.

In addition to working with more than 500 Startups and Scaleups, MNT has consulted and trained more than 30 companies, which are among the largest in Turkey. Corporate innovation, innovative business ideas and models, intrapreneurship, open innovation, startup collaborations and investments are among the consultancy and service areas of MNT.

Onarcan is one of the few names in Turkey, who has experience in working with both early-stage startups and largest companies in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Özgür DEMİRTAŞ

Ozgur Demirtas was born in Ankara, Turkey. He was among the top 50 students who attended the Turkish University Placement Exams. He got his BS degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Bogazici University in 1998. He earned his Ph.D. degree in Finance from Boston College in 2003. In the same year, he was appointed as a tenure track Assistant Professor at Baruch College, City University of New York. In 2004, he was elected as the best instructor within the Finance Department of the college. In 2005, he was elected as the best instructor within all the departments of the business school. In 2007, he was awarded with one of the prestigious medals of the University: The Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence. He earned a tenured Associate Professor position in the same year. In 2010, he was ranked within the top 20 list among more than one million professors evaluated by 10 million students in USA, Canada, England, and Scotland. He also taught classes at the New York University (NYU) Stern School of Business and he earned the highest evaluations in the finance department.

His academic work has been published in various academic journals. He published more than 30 academic articles in top leading journals such as Journal of Monetary Economics, Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Management Science, Review of Finance, and Journal of Business Economics Statistics. He published a book by Elsevier Press. His research has been rewarded by the City University of New York for six consecutive years. In 2012, he joined Sabanci University as a Chair Professor of Finance and achieved to be Marie-Curie Research fellow.

Professor Demirtas is a founding chairman of the Center of Excellence in Finance (CEF) at Sabanci University. He is also a founding board member of Turkey’s first Financial Literacy and Savings Association (FODER). He is a consultant for several businessmen associations such as TUGIAD (Young Businessmen Association of Turkey), TAYSAD and DASK. He frequently acts as a chief advisor to large corporations. He develops risk management software for the insurance industry. He joins think tank organizations with leading politicians of the country to emphasize the importance of economic development.

Akan ABDULA

He has 20 years of work experience in advertising, marketing strategies and market research.

He served as the Vice President of Strategy and Planning at the Grey Istanbul Advertising Agency and a member of the global strategy council of Grey Group Worldwide. He was among the 12 strategists who led the global council.

He was deemed worthy of numerous golden Effie awards, including Turkey's best product launch and the most effective social responsibility campaigns.

He founded FutureBright Research, transformed it into FutureBright Group. Today, the FutureBright Group of Companies is a data group serving more than 750 global and local brands, with offices in several countries.

He is the author of the book The Unpredictable Ones. Although the book is new, it has already seen ten editions.

The Daily Telegraph reported on their strategic approach.

Sevinç SATIROĞLU

She graduated from Anadolu University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Department of Economics and Anadolu University, Department of Turkish Language and Literature. She conducted research at Istanbul University and Boğaziçi University on Political Science and International Relations and the Law of Political Systems of the European Union. She attended Dialogue Narration Communication, Announcer-Spokesperson Training. She received voice training from opera singers. She holds a certificate of achievement from the British Royal Academy of Music. Since 2003, she has worked at CNBC-e, 32. Gün, CNN Türk, Kanal 24 and Haber Türk TV channels. She worked as a live broadcast reporter, TV anchor and news anchor for many years. She received countless awards for her news and publications.

Besides TV, she started her career as a trainer of the Announcer-Presenter Technique in educational institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education in 2003 and continues to provide “Effective Speaking, Presentation, Speaker Coaching, Protocol and Image” training to public and private institutions, business people, senior managers and leaders. She is the author of a book on speaking and presentation called “Konuşursam Dünya Sarsılır (The World Shakes If I Talk)”. Since 2008, she has been participating in national and international conferences and summits as Master of Ceremony, Presenter, Moderator, and Keynote Speaker. She voices the brand promotions of many institutions.

Sevinç Satıroğlu’s personal work in the field of presenting, training and consultancy continues under the brand “Sevinç Satıroğlu-Media Professional” since 2014 with the brands “Master of Talk” “Master of Speech” “Master of Prestige” “Master of Voice”. Sevinç Satiroglu, who has provided training at many state and foundation universities across Turkey, has been teaching Speaking Techniques at Istanbul Aydin University, Faculty of Communication. Sevinç Satatroğlu is a member of many international and national non-governmental organizations such as UNICEF and BPW, supporting the environment, education, women, and healthy living.

Her book “Konuşursam Dünya Sarsılır (The World Shakes If I Talk)” on Effective Speaking and Inspirational Storytelling was awarded the Best Communication Book of the Year Award by Istanbul University.

Emir TURAN

Emir TURAN received his undergraduate degree from Bilgi University -  Faculty of Law in 2004 and  his MBA degree from the same university in 2008.

He started his carrier in Cerrahoğlu Law Firm as an attorney in 2005 and joined Finansbank in 2007 as Project Management Assistant.

He joined his family company Eti Gıda Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş in 2009 and held several executive positions as Chairman’s Office Business Development Executive, Chairman’s Office Manager and Board Member.

Since 2018, he is acting as Deputy Chairman.

Simultaneously, Mr. TURAN is Co-Founder of Sarp Logistics , Co-Founder and Board Member of Sarp Yachts and Board Member of Eti Machinery.

Due to his passion for music  he created Giggem in 2011, a digital platform for musicians all around the world.

43 years old, Mr. TURAN is married and has 2 children.

Eda ÇARMIKLI

Eda has made a "constructive" approach and a belief in humanity her compass in life. She has completed her studies in Business Administration at Bilkent University and Interior Architecture at UCLA. In the early years of her career, she focused on corporate finance within DışBank and later within the family company Nurol Holding. Subsequently, her path crossed with Servotel, where she worked as a real estate project development consultant.

As of 2016, with the realization of her creative and entrepreneurial side, Eda continues her professional life as a partner at Joint Idea, founder of Life Works Labs and Love Mafia. In recent years, she has also been providing support to her family by participating in the writing of the Family Constitution in the family business and the establishment of the sustainability department at the Holding level. Eda approaches any collaboration that supports collective consciousness and development with pleasure and continues her research to redefine the concepts of work and life.

Baki DUYARLAR

Born in Istanbul in 1967. Turkish and Dutch pianist Baki Duyarlar, as the sixth generation of a musician family, studied cello in Istanbul University State Conservatory. In 1987, he settled in Netherlands and took his undergraduate degree from Academy of Music and Performing Arts Tilburg, The Department of Jazz Piano and his associate professor degree from World Music Department, which is a co-program by Rotterdam State Conservatory and Stichting Kunstzinnige Vorming Rotterdam (SKVR). Taking the “Assoc.phd.” title at the early age of 24, he lectured in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague music schools for 5 years. Duyarlar has appeared in many festivals around the world together with leading artists both from Turkey and abroad, such as Randy Brecker, Kai Eckhardt, Sean Rickman, Antonio Serrano, Kristian Lind, Stanislav Mitrovic, Justin Vasques, Janek Gwizdala, Eric Vloeimans, Eric Calmes, Enrique Firpi, Dick De Graaf, Ruben Van Rompaey, Joost Kroon, Erkan Oğur, Bülent Ortaçgil, Mehmet Akatay, Cem Aksel and Derya Türkan.

Duyarlar who continues his stage performances, also gives lessons in Bahçeşehir University Jazz Academy, as the founder member of the department. 

Also, he is the founder of Istanbul Youth Jazz Orchestra which he conducted for 4 years.

With his 5 released albums that each brings out different colors of music, Duyarlar continues to astonish and impress with extraordinary fusion projects, and keeps on creating and communicating with his audience through his piano.      

Rana YİĞİTBAŞI

Rana Yiğitbaşı was born in 16th of November 1994 in Izmir. After completing her high school in American Collegiate Institute in Izmir, she did her BA in International Relations and Management at the University of Exeter in the UK and her MA in Managing in Creative Economy at Kingston University in the UK. After her masters, for over 2 years, worked in projects in NGOs such as United Nations Development Program, Young Guru Academy and Business for Goals. Between 2019-2021, she worked in the fields of Digital Marketing and Strategy at her family company DYO Paints, and during this time she became interested in employee engagement and employee happiness. Since June 2022, as Yaşar Holding Human Resources Project Specialist, she has been working on cultural transformation, employee engagement, and talent management.

Rana Yiğitbaşı, who has active roles in non-governmental organizations, is the co-president of TAİDER (Family Business Network Turkey) Next Generation Committee and is on the Youth Board of the Sosyalben Foundation.

Rana Yiğitbaşı, who has an interest in music and theatre, took singing lessons between 2019-2022, jazz vocal training at Bahçeşehir University Jazz Certificate Program between 2020-2021 and year-long acting training at Craft Theatre in 2022.

Mehmet Ali DENİZ

He was born in İzmir.

With over 20 years of experience in radio and television broadcasting, he has worked as a program producer and presenter and served as a prime news anchor. He also provides voice-over for commercials, documentaries, and promotional films. Since its establishment, he has volunteered for the Turkish Library for the Visually Impaired, recording books for visually impaired individuals.

To date, he has hosted many state protocols, congresses, award ceremonies, promotional events, summits, fairs, and various organizations and continues to do so actively.

Since 2019, he has been the master of ceremony for TAİDER National Family Businesses Summits and TAİDER North Star Awards Ceremonies.