Oylum Talu

Master of Ceremony

Ahmet Akbalık

Vice Chairman

Ahmet Akbalık was born in 1971 in Istanbul. He started to work for the family company at a young age and continued his education at the same time. After he graduated, he established Özak Tekstil ve Konfeksiyon Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. (Özak Textile and Ready-Made Clothes Industry and Trade Inc.) in 1991 and made the company one of the leading companies of the sector in a short time.  

Ahmet Akbalık entered the construction sector with İnt-Er Yapı A.Ş. (İnt-Er Construction Inc.) in 1995 with a focus on the construction of residences, shopping centres, business centres and hotels. This experience helped lay the foundations of Özak GYO (Özak REIC). 

After that, Ahmet Akbalık established Kübrateks Tekstil Sanayi ve Dış Ticaret A.Ş. (Kübrateks Textile Industry and Foreign Trade Inc.) in 1997. Adopting high quality as a principle, Kübrateks works with denim in all the stages from manufacturing to design.

Ahmet Akbalık established Aktay Turizm (Aktay Tourism) in 2004, which was Özak Global’s investment in tourism. Aktay Turizm contributes to Turkish tourism sector and adds on to the promotion of the county with Ela Quality Resort Hotel situated in Belek, Antalya. Currently, Aktay Turizm is keeping on working on new investments.  

Özak Gayrimenkul Yatırım Ortaklığı A.Ş (Özak Real Estate Inc.), which was an investment of the group in the real estate sector, was founded by Ahmet Akbalık in 2008. Özak GYO develops projects in five different segments, namely residence, office, storage, tourism and retail. ÖZAK GYO went public in 2012 with a successful listing, and it is now traded on BIST 100. ÖZAK GYO ranked 57^th on the 2015 Forbes list of “100 Biggest Turkish Companies”. ÖZAK GYO is now one of the biggest real estate companies in Turkey, and it will confidently continue to be so with its strong financial structure.

Ahmet Akbalık established Özak Enerji A.Ş. (Özak Energy Inc.) in 2009. He is now continuing to work on environmentally friendly power plants using renewable energy in Turkish and global markets.

Ahmet Akbalık founded Akyön Tesis Yönetim Hizmetleri A.Ş. (Akyön Facility Management Services Inc.) in 2011. It works on real estate projects related to plazas, residences, hotels, offices, industrial storage, logistic centres and shopping malls and renders services such as market analysis, development processes, marketing, management and renting.

Ahmet Akbalık united all his companies under the roof of Özak Global Holding A.Ş. in 2009 and now works as the Co-Founder and Chairman Özak Global Holding. Ahmet Akbalık has employed more than 5.000 people in Özak Global Holding. Thus, as a locomotive of Turkish economy, Ahmet Akbalık concentrates on the holding’s future strategies.

Ahmet Akbalık has actively undertaken several duties in non-governmental organizations working for the business world as well as several professional and industrial organizations. So far, Ahmet Akbalık has worked as the Deputy Chairman of Turkish Exporters Assembly, the Chairman of Turkish Ready-Made Clothes Sector Council, Deputy Chairman of Istanbul Ready-Made Clothes Exporters Assembly, Executive Member and Chairman of Foreign Economic Affairs Council. He has also worked as the Deputy Chairman of Service Exporters Assembly, Chairman of Turkish Exporters Assembly Service Sector Council and Chairman of Özak Foundation. Ahmet Akbalık holds the title of Macedonian Consular Agent as well. 

Ahmet Burak Dağlıoğlu

President of the Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey

Burak Dağlıoğlu is President of the Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, a position he took up in February 2020. Prior to his appointment as President of the Investment Office, Mr. Dağlıoğlu held a number of posts within the Office; from 2010 to 2015, he worked as
Project Director in charge of investment projects from the Gulf Countries, India, Japan, and USA.

From 2015 to 2020, Mr. Dağlıoğlu served as the Vice President of the Investment Office in charge of overseas promotion and lead generation activities. In November 2020 he was appointed Member of the Board of Turkey Wealth Funds.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Dağlıoğlu worked in the private sector in consulting industry at various positions. Mr. Dağlıoğlu holds a BA in Economics from Boğaziçi University and MA degree in “Global Master in Finance” from IE Business School.

Akın Nalça

Founding Partner (Terminal Design)

Tatbiki Güzel Sanatlar Grafik Bölümü mezunu olarak başlayan profesyonel yaşamı, sergileme ve iletişim ağırlıklı mekansal projelerde sürdü.

1996 yılından sonra Alman modüler sistemler tasarımcısı Burkhardt Leitner ile tanışmasının ardından 2004 yılında Alp Gümüş ile Terminal Mekansal Çözüm Merkezini kurdu. Sergileme tasarımına yoğunlaşırken ürün ve modüler sistem tasarımı alanında da üretimlerini sürdürüyor.

2016 yılında BL firmasının üretim ve marka haklarını da alarak sistem tasarımı ve üretimini global pazarlarda sürdürürken dış mekanlarda uygulanan geçici yapılar üretimine Modulrooms markası ile de devam etmektedir.

Tasarım ve mimarlık kültürüne Akın Nalça kitapları ile 2003-2017 arasında yayıncı olarak katkıda bulunmuş.

2004 yılından bu yana MSÜ GSF grafik bölümünde sergileme tasarımı dersi vermektedir.

German Design Councıl, Etmk, Gmk, Stsd gibi derneklerin üyesi ya da yk üyesi olarak görev almıştır.

Farklı yıllarda IF, Red dot, German Design Council, Design Turkey gibi ödüller almıştır.

Alaeddin Babaoglu

CEO, Kurucu Ortak

Since 2007 I am involved in the operation, development and asset management of AMPLIO Real Estate Investments A.S. focusing on hotel and residential projects in Turkey. Activities include development of a Hilton family branded hotel chain throughout 20 cities including a First Class Business Hotel in Istanbul. Also in joint efforts with the municipality and ministries we have developed a master Plan for Urban Regeneration midst of Istanbul comprising residential and commercial spaces.  www.amplio.com.tr

Before this time I was with Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts(MHR) in Switzerland in the position of Vice President Development responsible for their development in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Part of my responsibilities were sourcing and evaluating all new projects and lease and management agreements as well as being responsible for leading the contract negotiations and sourcing finance where debt and equity was required.

Prior to joining MHR, I held high-level positions in LTI International Hotels, subsidiary of LTU Airways and Thomas Cook where I was responsible for developing the hotel investment division, as well as working for small boutique investment and development companies and travel agencies where I was responsible for undertaking and providing financial and management advice for a range of industries.

Ali Güreli

Chairman of the Board of Contemporary Istanbul Foundation

Angelique Moscatelli

Founder and CEO of SAS MERIDIA FRANCE Chairperson of Athena Asset Family Office

Angélique has been in the hotel business for more than 20 years, as a developer, owner, investor and manager. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Finance and an MBA from the European School of Management in Paris-London-Berlin (EAP) and the Ecole Superieure de Commerce de Paris Business School (ESCP).

Angélique started her career in 1998 as the General Manager of the Royal Riviera Palace in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, a member of Leading Hotels of the World. Shortly afterwards, she set up Sarl Investsur and Sarl Batimis, both specialized in the construction and renovation of hotel residences in the South of France.

Today, Angélique manages a group of seven companies whose businesses are focused on the development, construction and acquisition of hotels. She built the Domaine des Cèdres with luxury villas on the French Riviera, the Golfe Residence near Cannes, while the Nice Silicon Valley Hotel with 127 rooms and two luxurious hotels with 110 rooms and 105 suites in Courchevel are under construction. Under development are a luxurious well-being hotel near Saint Tropez and a Castle in Bordeaux with 190 rooms themed around viticulture, gastronomy and artistic performance.

Throughout her career, she has managed her family business, Sarl Immobilière du Cap, founded in 1939, which has built and owned fourteen hotels and hotel residences in France, including the Cannes Palace Hotel, Cannes Residence, Elysées Palace in Paris, le Colisée, le Marbeuf and the Mickaela Park in Cannes. Her strategy throughout has been to consolidate the group's expertise in hotel construction and management, to maintain its culture of sustainability and innovation and to optimize the group by incorporating new and innovative practices and technologies into its legacy business.

Angélique is also the Chairman of the Athena Asset Family Office, a multi-family office, focused on optimizing the group companies for further proprietary projects and, also, to enable third party investors to participate projects under development.

Angélique is a regular Speaker at industry conferences and forums on topics such as digitalization, automation and investment in the hotel industry worldwide. She has recently addressed GEOHIS in the UAE and will speak at ITHF in Madrid, TIF in Istanbul and SEAHIS in Bangkok in 2022.

In her spare time, if she is not flying her Cabri G2 or AS350 helicopter from Nice to Courchevel or Saint Tropez, she is likely to be modeling for fashion magazines. She loves swimming, playing the piano, reading philosophy, horse riding and skiing and while supporting many different cultural and philanthropic events in the South of France.

Arhan Kayar

Founder, DDF

Arhan Kayar’ın konuşmacı olarak katıldığı  ve workshop  yaptığı bazı etkinlikler:

Uluslararası tasarım şehirleri Buluşması IDW Istanbul

Belgrad Design Week Konferans Belgrate

Uluslararası tasarım şehirleri buluşması Zona Tortona Milano

Uluslararası tasarım şehirleri buluşması London Design Festival

World design Weeks Summit Dutch Design Week Einthoven

Graz Design Monat Konferans

Munich Creative Bussines Week özel oturum Münich

World design Weeks Summit Tokyo Design Week Tokyo

World design Weeks Summit Trianale Milano

Ico-D (Internatiol Council of Design) özel oturum Konuşmacı Graz

VIII: St. Petersburg Kültür Forumu Katılımcısı

Arhan Kayar’ın eğitimci olarak katılımı:

Bilgi Üniversitesi Tasarım Kültürü ve Yönetimi Sertifika programı

Bilgi Üniversitesi VCD bölümü

DİKA Dicle Kalkınma Ajansı Marka ve tasarım kentleri dersi 2017 Mardin

Arhan Kayar’ın içerisinde bulunduğu projelerden bazıları;

Istanbul 2010 Ayrupa Kültür Başkenti Girişim Gurubu üyesi

UNESCO Design City Istanbul Başvuru hazırlık gurubu üyesi

Istanbul Design Week (Kurucu ve Direktör) 2005ten beri

Artbeat Istanbul (Kurucu ve Direktör)

Design Spirit Istanbul Sergisi (Proje Koordinatörü)

İstanbul Turizm Destinasyonu Projesi (Kavramsal Tasarımcı)

Expo 2000 Türkiye Pavyonu Sergisi (Proje Lideri)

Türkiye  Turizm Reklam Kampanyaları, 2000-2014 (kampanya tasarımı ve yönetimi)

Made in Istanbul Tasarım Projesi (Konsept Lideri)

Made in Turkey Tekstil ve Moda Projeleri (Proje Lideri)

İstanbul İnovasyon Haftası (Yaratıcı Konsept Direktörü)

Expo Milano 2015 Türkiye Pavyonu (Proje Lideri)

Expo Astana 2017 Türkiye Pavyonu (Proje Lideri)

Expo Pekin 2019 Türkiye Pavyonu (Proje Lideri)

Expo Dubai 2020 Belarus Pavyonu (Mimarİ tasarım ve Yaratıcı Konsept Direktörü)

Adres: dDf Boduroğlu sokak No:9 34445 Hasköy Beyoğlu Istanbul
Mobil: +905323140195
e-mail: arhan@ddf.com.tr

Instagram: @arhankayar
Facebook: @arhan ka
Linkedin: arhan kayar

Avi Alkaş

President of JLL Israel, Chairman of the Board of Alkaş & HAN Spaces

Deneyimler

Alışveriş merkezi konsept geliştirme, kiralama ve yönetim alanlarında 30 yıla ulaşan deneyimle Avi Alkaş, profesyonel olarak Akmerkez,  Bayraktar grubu ile Carousel AVM ve İzmit Outlet Center için çalıştıktan sonra 1997 yılında Alkaş Danışmanlık’ı kurdu. 

Ağustos 2008 tarihinde Alkaş AVM Yönetim Şirketini Dünya’nın önde gelen JLL şirketi ile birleştirmesinden sonra da Türkiye Ülke Başkanı olarak 13 yıl sürdürdüğü görevine halen JLL Israil Başkanı olarak devam etmektedir. 

Mapic, Mipim gibi Gayrimenkul Fuarcılık ve Etkinlik konularında hizmet veren Alkaş Perakende Hizmetleri AŞ nin yanısıra,  Miamai Butik otel ortaklığından sonra, 2020 yılında da Han Spaces AŞ ile paylaşımlı ofis alanına giren ve 2021 de de Dijital Network Alkaş DNA oluşumunu başlatmış olan Alkaş, ülke genelinde, Avrasya ve Ortadoğu ülkelerinde, “İnsANlar için İnsANlarla çalışarak Mutlu MekANlar ve ZamANlar” sloganıyla ticari gayrimenkul danışmanlık hizmetlerini sürdürmektedir

Avi Alkaş; Maxi, Karada Marina, Olivium, Tepe Nautilus, Kipa Çiğli ve Balçova, Armada, KayseriPark, Cevahir, KoruPark, Panora, NaTa Vega, İstinyePark, Vadi İstanbul, Rönesans Grubu’nun Türkiye genelindeki projeleri, Emaar Square ve Zorlu Center gibi Türkiye’nin önde gelen projelerinde önemli ve çeşitli görevler üstlenmiştir. 

Eğitim ve Sertifikalar

Avi Alkaş, TÜSİAD, TOBB Perakende Meclisi, TAMPF , AYD gibi mesleki, Türk Yahudi Toplumu, Turkey One, Yanındayız gibi sosyal toplumsal STK larda  yurt içinde ve dışında yıllardır görev almış, Uluslararası Alışveriş Merkezleri Derneği (ICSC)  European Shopping Center Trust (ESCT)  ‘ta Yönetim Kurulu Üyesi olarak da hizmet vererek, ICSC Avrupa ve sonrasında Dünya Ödülleri Jürisi’nde de görev almıştır. Alkaş, ICSC J. Riordan Profesyonel Gelişim Okulu’nun da muhtelif ülkelerdeki eğitim programlarında öğretim üyesidir. 2012’deki vefatı sonrasında oğlu adına kurduğu Özyeğin Üniversitesi Alp Alkaş Perakende Gayrimenkul Merkezi ile mesleki eğitim çabalarına devam etmektedir.

Gina Alkaş ile evli ve Emir Alkaş’ın babası olan, Robert Kolej ve ardından Boğaziçi Üniversitesi İşletme Bölümü’nden lisans ve master dereceleri ile mezun olan 1956 doğumlu Avi Alkaş  uluslararası MRICS, CRX , CSM, CMD ve CLS unvanlarını taşımaktadır.

Aydin Tülek

CFO

Aydın Tülek, Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi (ODTÜ) İktisat Bölümü’nden 2000 yılında şeref listesinde mezun olmuş, 2010 yılında yüksek lisans eğitimi için gittiği Amerika Birleşik Devletleri’nde, UIUC Üniversitesi Muhasebe Dalında (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Master of Science in Accountancy) yüksek şeref ile master derecesi almıştır.

Aydın Tülek kariyerine 2001 yılında maliye müfettişi olarak başlamıştır. Bu görevi sırasında Maliye Bakanı adına, büyük ölçekli mükellefler nezdinde vergi incelemeleri yapmış, vergi daireleri de dahil Bakanlığın tüm birimlerinin iş ve işlemlerini teftiş etmiştir. Maliye Bakanlığı’ndaki kariyerinde ayrıca, “Vergi Daireleri Denetim Bilgi Sistemi” adındaki proje grubunda çalışmış, “Gelir ve Kurumlar Vergisi Beyannameleri Denetim Bilgi Sistemi” projesine ise başkanlık etmiştir. Aydın Tülek 2006 ile 2009 yılları arasında Avrupa Birliği ile yürütülen müzakerelerin Vergilendirme Faslında Maliye Bakanlığını temsil eden komitenin içerisinde yer almıştır. Tülek, ayrıca, 2006 yılında EPDK’nın tüm iş ve işlemlerinin Cumhurbaşkanlığı adına denetimini yapan ekibin bir üyesi olarak çalışmış ve 2006 ve 2007 yıllarında maliye müfettişleri ile vergi denetmenlerinin mesleki eğitim kurslarına eğitmen olarak katılmıştır.

Aydın Tülek, Maliye Bakanlığında 10 yıl maliye müfettişliği, 3 yıl vergi başmüfettişliği yaptıktan sonra, 2014 Aralık ayında söz konusu görevinden istifaen ayrılmış ve ulusal ve uluslararası şirket ve kurumlara danışmanlık, denetim ve yeminli mali müşavirlik hizmetleri vermeye başlamıştır. Tülek, 5 yıl süren YMM faaliyetinden sonra, 2020 yılında Kilit Group bünyesinde Mali Koordinatör olarak göreve başlamış olup, halen bu görevini sürdürmektedir.

Tülek; vergi hukuku, ticaret hukuku, teşvik mevzuatı, transfer fiyatlandırması, iç denetim, şirket değerlemesi, birleşme, bölünme ve devralma, maliyet muhasebesi, yönetim muhasebesi, uluslararası muhasebe ve raporlama, taşınmaz yönetimi, turizm, yatırım finansmanı, yapılandırma ve bankacılığa dair geniş bir teorik ve pratik bilgi birikimine sahiptir.

Aydın Tülek, ABD’deki eğitimi sürecinde CPA (Certified Public Accountant) ve CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant) sertifikalarını almış olup, Türkiye’de YMM (Yeminli Mali Müşavir) ve BD (Bağımsız Denetçi) ünvanlarına sahiptir.

Evli ve iki çocuk babası olan Aydın Tülek, AICPA (The American Institute of CPAs) ve Ankara YMM Odası üyesidir.

Barış Tunçsiper

CFA

Summary
Experienced finance professional with a strong investment banking background with particular focus on M&A,
IPOs and corporate finance advisory. Highly prioritizes ethical, professional and trustworthy practice. Currently
being employed by an impact and environmentally driven institution with great ideals.

Experience
Senior Investment Officer - Manufacturing, Agribusiness & Services
IFC - International Finance Corporation
Sep 2020 - Present (1 year 9 months +)
Business Development of equity and debt financing opportunities in the ECA region (Europe and
Central Asia) with focus on Manufacturing, Agribusiness & Services

Partner
INHERA Capital
Oct 2019 - Aug 2020 (11 months)

Board Member
Nov 2017 - Apr 2019 (1 year 6 months)

Advisory Board Member
Turkish Growth & Innovation Fund (TGIF) Advisory Board Member
Nov 2015 - Apr 2019 (3 years 6 months)
The Turkish Growth and Innovation Fund will be Turkey’s next generation of Fund of Funds and will
succeed the Istanbul Venture Capital Initiative (iVCi), Turkey’s first ever Fund of Funds. iVCi was
launched in 2007 and made 10 investments, including in some of Turkey’s most successful funds in the
country. With a strong focus on innovation, the Turkish Growth and Innovation Fund shall also continue
supporting growth capital funds. The Fund shall be advised by the EIF.

Corporate Finance - Department Head
TSKB | Türkiye Sınai Kalkınma Bankası
May 2014 - Apr 2019 (5 years)
Domestic and Cross-border M&A, ECM and DCM activities across all sectors.

Director - Diversified Industries
IS Investment
Apr 2013 - Apr 2014 (1 year 1 month)
Baris Tuncsiper, CFA - page 1
M&A, IPO, Project Finance & Restructuring in Basic Industries (Sector Head)

Asst. Director
IS Investment
Jun 2010 - Mar 2013 (2 years 10 months)
M&A, IPO, Project Finance & Restructuring in Basic Industries (Sector Head)

Vice President
IS Investment
Jun 2008 - Jun 2010 (2 years 1 month)
Numerous Acquisition, IPO, DD and Valuation projects (origination & execution) especially in the
sectors of Basic Industries, Consumer Goods & Conglomerates.

Senior Associate
IS Investment
Mar 2006 - Jun 2008 (2 years 4 months)
Numerous Acquisition, IPO, DD and Valuation projects (origination & execution) especially in the
sectors of Basic Industries, Consumer Goods & Conglomerates.

Business Analyst
Mercedes-Benz AG
Dec 2003 - Mar 2006 (2 years 4 months)
- Periodic appraisal of bus projects (NPV, EVA etc.
- Product costing of project vehicles,
- Coordination of cost cutting measures across R&D, production planning, procurement and marketing
& sales departments.
- Project vehicle investment budgeting.
- Management Trainee:
- After Sales Services Network Development
- Capacity & investment planning.
- Truck Marketing & Sales Department:
- “Used Truck Outlet” project appraisal.

Internship Trainee
PwC
1998 - 1999 (2 years)
Internship at the Tax and Legal Services (Full-time)
(Participated at field works, checking of accounts and preparation of reports)

Education
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
MSc., MSc. International Accounting & Finance
Baris Tuncsiper, CFA - page 2
1999 - 2000
Graduated with Merit

York University
CICBV Program of Study for CBV designation
2018 - 2019

Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi / Middle East Technical University
Minor, European Studies
1997 - 1999

Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi / Middle East Technical University
BSc., Economics
1994 - 1998
High Honours

Vienna International School
International Baccalaureate, Mathematics & Economy
1986 - 1994

TED Ankara Koleji
1989 - 1992

Licenses & Certifications
Turkish Capital Markets Board Advanced Level Certificate - Capital Markets Board
of Turkey
202291

CFA® Charter - CFA Institute
153955

Skills
Corporate Finance • Mergers & Acquisitions • Valuation • Investment Banking • Project Finance •
Finance • Financial Modeling • Capital Markets • Due Diligence • Financial Analysis

Burak Öymen

Co-Founder, Capital Partners

Bülent İnal

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Tuyap

1944 Ankara doğumlu, evli, iki çocuk babası

İşletme ekonomisi eğitimi aldı.

İlaç endüstrisinde üretim planlaması, stok kontrol, iş ve zaman etüdleri, iş değerlemesi konularında çalıştı.  Aynı konularda serbest danışmanlık yaptı.  1975 yılında PİAR Araştırma Merkezinin, 1979 yılında Tüyap Fuarcılık Grubunun kurucusu oldu. 

Yüzden fazla pazar araştırma projesinde görev aldı.  Kurulduğu günden bu yana ülkemizde ticari fuarlar hazırlayan Tüyap Grubu Yönetim Kurulu Başkanlığı görevini sürdürüyor. 

Türk Onkoloji Vakfı ve Tarih Vakfı Kurucusu,   Darülaceze Vakfı Mütevelli Üyesi, Bilim Merkezi Vakfı Üyesi, Darüşşafaka Yüksek Danışma Kurulu Üyesi

Beşiktaş Jimnastik Kulübü, İstanbul Yelken Kulübü, Kemer Atlı Spor Kulübü, Moda Deniz Kulübü Üyelikleri devam etmektedir.

UFI  Küresel Fuar Endüstrisi Birliği Üyesi

Uluslararası Ticaret Fuarlarına Ulusal Katılımlardan Sorumlu Organizatörler Birliği INTEREXPO'nun Üyesi ve  iki dönem  Dünya Başkanı görevini yürüttü.

Türkiye Odalar ve Borsalar Birliği Fuarlar Komitesi Üyesi,  Türkiye Fuar Yapımcıları Derneği  Kurucusu ve halen Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı.  Fuarcılık konusunda yayınlanmış çok sayıda makalesi var.   56 yıldır kesintisiz iş hayatında çalışıyor.

Carlos Santos

Currently CEO of Ethos Asset Management and IHNC Advisory

Holds a Master's degree in Accounting, Taxation and Corporate Finance from Lisbon School of Economics and Management (ISEG) and a BA in Economics also from ISEG.

Worked at the Banco de Portugal (BdP), where he held positions in the Monetary and Financial Statistics and in the Centralization of Credit Responsibilities Sections of the Statistics Department. Designed the restructuring of the BdP database, in partnership with other Central Banks of the Euro Zone.

Simultaneously, he participated in research at the ISEG on the economic viability of various Portuguese service companies. He developed economic viability models to evaluate geriatric services and applied management control tools for veterinary hospitals.

To date, he is still a lecturer of Economics at the ISEG. Since the foundation of IHNC Advisory and Ethos Asset Management, he has been actively involved in the acquisition and structuring of three investment funds and is directly involved in four business areas of the companies: resource mobilization, project
financing, wealth management and commodities trading.

The quality of his research and applied work has been recognized through the Ernest & Young Award of Best Economist (2016) and Banco de Portugal Award (2015).

Cemil Hakan Kılıç

ICVB, Managing Director

Mr. Kilic graduated in Business Administration after completing under and postgraduate degrees in the USA followed by a Ph.D. from Istanbul University. He has attended a number of educational programs in various countries such as Japan, the USA and Spain as well as having worked in different sectors. After working for the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and the Istanbul Commodity Exchange, he was appointed as the General Manager of Istanbul CVB on October, 22nd 2018. Mr. Kilic has also authored some publications and articles.

Dan Fenton

Executive VP, JLL

Current responsibilities
Dan heads up the Global Tourism Team within JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group specializing in research, tourism strategy and destination planning for
over 10 years. He is the past Chairman of the Board of Destinations International where he launched several initiatives designed to drive more effective practices across Destination Marketing Organizations. Dan also served as President and CEO of Team San Jose for 15 years and was a Principal in the Strategic Advisory Group. Prior to that, Dan was in general management and sales/marketing leadership positions with hotel companies.

Dan Fenton
Executive Vice President
Director of Global Tourism
Project Oversight
T: +1 831.298.7215
M: +1 408.309.3450
dan.fenton@am.jll.com
Residence: San Francisco, CA

Experience
Dan blends his knowledge of trends in the national and international tourism and hospitality sectors to bring a “big picture” view to what makes destinations more competitive and how communities can set themselves apart. This knowledge was thoroughly applied to help develop the Meet
Hawai’i brand and direction. With this perspective, he understands what questions need to be asked and uses that context to evaluate and leverage the
resulting data.

• Hawai'i Tourism Authority
• Miami Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Visit Sarasota County
• Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Visit Denver
• Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
• World Travel & Tourism Council – Tourism Readiness Research
• Destinations International
• Rochester Convention & Visitors Bureau, Minnesota
• Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council, New York
• Walton County Florida
• St. Mary’s County, Maryland

Prior experience
Before joining JLL, Dan was a Principal for Strategic Advisory Group, which was acquired by JLL in early 2016, for five years. Prior to joining Strategic
Advisory Group, he served as President and CEO of Team San Jose for 15 years.

Education and affiliation
Dan is a graduate of Cornell University where he received a Bachelor’s degree, with distinction, in hospitality administration and management. He also serves on the York School Board of Trustees as an advisor to the Philanthropy Committee and is the chair of the Diversity Committee.

Deniz Omurgonulsen

VP Membership, LeadingHotelsof theWorld

Deniz Omurgonulsen was appointed vice president of membership for The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. in April 2010. In her role, she is responsible for the overall membership of The Leading Hotels of the World, including managing new member development and leading its customer success team. 

Ms. Omurgonulsen joined the company in March 2005 as strategic planning manager. In 2006, she became director of membership development, and has overseen membership acquisition and retention since then. Ms. Omurgonulsen has been a key member of the Quality Committee which continuously monitors and controls the high level of standards required from all member hotels.

Within her scope of work, she oversees the portfolio curation of over 400 member hotels worldwide leading owner and hotelier relations in more than 80 countries.  In addition, her global team is in charge of distribution, revenue strategy, business development for all the LHW member hotels.  In addition, Ms. Omurgonulsen leads the quality initiatives to ensure that the brand positioning of The Leading Hotels of the World remains in top positioning. 

Prior to joining The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. Ms. Omurgonulsen worked with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts in operations based at The Pierre Hotel in New York. In addition to her property responsibilities, she conducted numerous successful corporate-wide training and quality initiatives, including participating in pre-opening hotel training teams and implementing a global e-learning platform.

She graduated with honors from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.  Member of the Cornell Council she is still actively involved in Cornell Hotel Society and its Foundation. 

Emrah Şahan

Resul Emrah Şahan (Mr.) Chair, IPA

Resul Emrah Şahan 1982 yılında Ankara'da doğdu. Lisans eğitimini Mimar Sinan Güzel Sanatlar Üniversitesi Mimarlık Fakültesi Şehir ve Bölge Planlama Bölümü'nde 2006 yılında tamamladı. Profesyonel kariyerine İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi İstanbul Büyükşehir Planlama ve Kentsel Tasarım Merkezi(IMP)'nde başladı. 2008 yılında yazılım ve eğitim alanında faaliyet gösteren, kentsel projelere odaklanan kendi şirketini kurdu. Türkiye'nin birçok şehrinde projeler gerçekleştirdi. 2012 yılında çeşitli üst ölçekli planlar ve saha çalışmaları yapmak üzere yerel yönetime geçti. 2014-2019 yılları arasında Beylikdüzü Belediyesi Teknik Koordinasyon ve Projeler Biriminde Proje Koordinatörü olarak çalıştı. 2019 yerel seçimlerinde İstanbul'da kentsel politikalar üzerine çalışan ekibin koordinasyon süreçlerini yönetti. Şahan, 2019 yılından bu yana İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi ve Şişli Belediyesi meclisleri üyesidir. İstanbul Planlama Ajansı'nın başkanıdır. İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi iştiraklerinden BİMTAŞ'ın da yönetim kurulu başkanıdır.

Emre Özkur

Turkey, Dubai, Greece, Azerbaijan Regional Manager at H.I.S

1977 İzmir doğumlu. Çanakkale 18 Mart üniversitesi Japonca öğretmenliği mezunu.

İş hayatına 2002 yılında HIS japonya merkez ofisinde başladı. 2004 Bali ofisinde çalıştıktan sonra 2006 yılında Türkiye ye dönüp Türkiye ofisini açtı.

Son dönemde Kapadokya Marriott ve Pamukkale Hilton otel proje yatırımlarının gerçekleşmesinde aktif rol oynadı. Halen Kapadokya expresi tren projesinin yönetiminde bulunuyor.

Ethem Naci Başerdem

The Marmara Group CEO

Born in Aksaray, Turkey in 1957. Graduated from Boğaziçi University Administrative Sciences Faculty in 1981. Worked at different management levels for An-pa A.Ş (Anadolu Endüsri Holding affiliate), Pamukbank; Internes SA Geneva (Nasaş A.Ş affiliate), Benetton and Beymen groups between 1983 and 1997. Participated to Dogus Group in 1998 and worked for the re-structuring projects of Dogus Media Group, Tansas (food retail chain) and Dogus Construction Group. He worked for the privatization process of ‘’Vehicle Inspection Services in Turkey’ and was appointed as the CEO of Tüv Türk A.Ş., the joint venture company between German Tüv Süd, Akfen (later Bridgepoint UK) and Dogus. He took in charge for Tourism and Retail Group as president and was appointed to Doğuş Holding Board of Management. Naci Başerdem left Dogus Group in May 2019 and participated to The Marmara Group in February 20220. Since then, he is the CEO of the group.

Ferit F. Şahenk

Doğuş Group Chairman and CEO

Ferit F. Şahenk is the Chairman and CEO of Doğuş Group. Formerly, he served as the founder and Vice President of Garanti Securities, CEO of Doğuş Holding, Chairman of Doğuş Otomotiv and Chairman of Garanti Bank. Previously, Mr. Şahenk served as a Board Member of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) of Turkey. He also served as the Chairman of the Turkish-German Business Council; the Chairman of the Turkish-American Business Council; Vice Chairman of Turkish-United Arab Emirates Business Council and Executive Board Member of Turkish-Greek Business Council of DEİK. Mr. Şahenk holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Human Resources from Boston College.

Ferzan Çelikkanat

Er Investment, Tourism and Construction Inc. / General Manager

Fettah Tamince

Founder & Chairman of Rixos Hotels, The Land of Legends and SML Construction

Mr. Fettah Tamince is a successful international businessman and one of the leading entrepreneurs in Turkey. His activities and investments extend to a wide range of industries including tourism, hotel management and investments, construction, real estate development and higher education. He is a risk taker and a problem solver with a mind toward bettering his surroundings.

Gabriel Najenson

Travel Host and CEO of Puzzle Travel Group, and Founder & CMO at Glow Glamping

Gabriel Najenson was born in Buenos Aires and raised in Jerusalem.

Gabo is a World traveler, Tour Leader, Travel Host and CEO of Puzzle Travel Group, and Founder & CMO at Glow Glamping, Gabriel is also known as "Gabo The Guide" 

After his 3-year military service, Gabriel left Israel to travel throughout Latin America where he discovered his passion for travel.  

After 14 months on the road as a ”Mochilero”, he arrived in the Yucatan Peninsula, where he settled on the Caribbean coast and lived there for 2 years until he decided to make a change and live on an Island and explored his love for diving. 

After 4 years abroad, Gabo returned to Israel where he started his career as a tour guide. During that time, he was recruited to direct a Cyber-Intelligence start-up.
After getting a taste of the business world, Gabriel transformed his life again and started leading and guiding private groups in Israel and South America. 

Since then, he developed himself as an entrepreneur in the Travel & Hospitality Industries, where he finds his purpose to this day.

Gökçe Başkaya

Head of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Foreign Relations and Tourism Department

1981 İzmir doğumlu olan Hatice Gökçe BAŞKAYA 2004 yılında Ege Üniversitesi İletişim Fakültesi Radyo, Televizyon ve Sinema bölümünü bitirmiş, Ege Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsünde yüksek lisans yapmıştır.

2006 yılında  İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi Kültürel ve Sosyal Hizmetler Dairesi Başkanlığında Proje Sorumlusu olarak çalışmaya başlayan Gökçe BAŞKAYA; Avrupa Birliği ve Birleşmiş Milletler finansmanlı bir çok projede " İletişim ve Stratejik Plan Uzmanı" olarak görev almıştır.

2014 yılının Mayıs – Haziran aylarında İsveç Uluslararası Yerel Demokrasi Merkezi (ICLD)’nde verilen  "Toplumsal Cinsiyet Perspektifinden Yerel Demokrasi ve Sosyal Sürdürülebilirlik Eğitim Programını" başarıyla tamamlamıştır.

2014 – 2019 yılları arasında İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi Ahmed Adnan Saygun Sanat Merkezi ve Meslek Fabrikası Şube Müdürlüklerinde Müdür olarak çalışmış olup mesleki eğitim alanında "İzmir Modelinin" oluşturulmasına katkıda bulunmuştur.

2019 yılında Dış İlişkiler ve Turizm Daire Başkanlığı görevine başlamıştır. İzmir Turizm ve Tanıtma Vakfı’nda danışma kurulu üyesidir.

Gökhan Avcıoğlu

Founder and Principal

Gokhan Avcioglu was born in Ankara, Turkey in 1961. Gokhan Avcioglu completed his education in KSU/BA in Architecture. He is the principal and founder of GAD in Istanbul, established in 1994.

Among his projects are office buildings, public spaces, commercial spaces and residences in Istanbul, Bodrum, New Jersey, Washington DC, Virginia and Connecticut. Among his most recent award winning projects are Media City, AKH KNDU Villas, KUUM Hotel and Residences, Pınar Logistics Centre, Fish Market and Trump Cadde. A number of his projects have been short-listed for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, including two projects in
Kadikoy Park, completed in 1998 and 2004, Yalova Elyaf completed in 2001, and Esma Sultan completed in 2005. Recent awards include 2017 WAFX Smart City Prize, 2017 The American Architecture Prize, 2017 AR Future Projects Awards, Jeu d’Esprit Prize, 2015 Green Good Design, 2014 German Iconic Awards.

Gokhan Avcioglu has been recognized by a number of different publications, including Wallpaper, Surface, City Magazine, NY Times, The New York Post, Transforming Cities - Urban Interventions in Public Cities, Braun Malls and Department stores, Archtekturfuehrer Istanbul, Gestalten Lets go out, Monocle, Architectural Digest, Architectural Record, plus design books such as World Houses Now, Urban Houses and Cafes, Restaurants and Bars, Atlas of Contemporary Architecture, Modern Interiors - Cool Restaurants in Istanbul. Gokhan has also been featured in TV programs, including BBC & Channel 4.Since 2001, Mr. Avcioglu has been conducting studios and seminars at the Ecole Speciale d'Architecture in Paris, Yildiz Technical University and Istanbul Technical University.

Gokhan Avcioglu is a member of AIA New York Chapter, Chamber of Architects Turkey.

Göktürk Demirel

Corporate Communications Director, Enerjisa

Göktürk Demirel, 2004 yılında Bilkent Üniversitesi Uluslararası İlişkiler bölümünden lisans derecesini almış olup, 2017 yılında Sabancı Üniversitesinde Marka Yönetimi alanında yüksek lisansını tamamlamıştır. İş hayatına 2005 yılında başlayan Demirel, savunma sanayi, otomotiv ve enerji sektörlerinde lider konumda bulunan birçok şirketin iletişim departmanlarında farklı görevleri üstlenmiştir. 2011 yılından bugüne kariyerine Enerjisa’da devam eden Demirel, halen İletişim Direktörü olarak görev yapmaktadır. Bu görevinde Enerjisa Enerji’nin kurumsal iletişim, itibar ve marka yönetimi, toplumsal yatırımlar ve işbirlikleri süreçlerinden sorumlu ekibe liderlik etmektedir.  2021 yılında en etkin 50 iletişim liderinden biri seçilen Göktürk Demirel, bugüne kadar liderlik ettiği projelerle iletişim ve pazarlama alanında birçok ulusal ve uluslararası ödüle de layık görülmüştür.

Gün Gökkaya

RHC Real Estate, Hospitality, Construction Transaction Services EY Kurumsal Finansman

Handan Boyce

Crowdsol - Virtual Event Platform / Global Chief Sales Officer

Handan Boyce experienced 16 years in the hospitality and tourism industry, working in international and national hotel chains at various management levels before joining the Istanbul Convention and Visitors Bureau, the destination marketing organization of Istanbul, in 2003.

Taking the General Manager position of the Haliç Congress Center in 2011, she took a new role in another specific sector within the meeting industry: venue management. Her next position in the venue management field was the General Manager of Istanbul Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Center until September 2020.

Boyce is currently working as Global Chief Sales Officer at Crowdsol, a technology start-up company developing event technology for the meeting industry.

Boyce was elected to the ICCA (International Convention and Congress Association) Board of Directors in 2007 and served ICCA Board for four years representing 245 destination marketing and management organizations worldwide. In addition, she ran for ICCA Presidential Election in 2014.

Having various leadership positions in the industry, Handan Boyce collaborated with national and international associations, meeting planners and suppliers. Working with governmental institutions and NGOs such as the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, and Ministry of Tourism and Culture, also provided her with a vast and robust network and a strong background in understanding the global and multicultural business environment.

Boyce committed herself to the meeting industry and worked for its development and advocacy both on national and international levels. She was listed among the “Top 25 Women in International Meeting Industry” in 2018 by Northstar Travel Media Group.

Boyce is a founding member of Meeting Professionals International -MPI Turkey Chapter and the first President. She is currently a member of the European Advisory Council of MPI, a member of SITE, PCMA and SKAL Istanbul.

Boyce graduated from Galatasaray High School and Bosphorus University Tourism and Hotel Management. She speaks English and French.

Hediye Güral Gür

Board Member

Hediye Güral Gür, Kütahya doğumludur. İlk ve orta öğrenimini Kütahya'da, lise eğitimini ise Eskişehir'de tamamlayan Hediye Güral Gür, 1999 yılında Koç Üniversitesi İktisadi İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Uluslararası İlişkiler Bölümü'nü bitirdi. Hediye Güral Gür daha sonra ise Yeditepe Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü'nde İşletme Yüksek Lisansı'nı tamamladı. İş hayatına Kütahya Porselen İnsan Kaynakları bölümünde başlayan Güral Gür şu anda NG Hotels Yönetim Kurulu Başkanlığı görevini sürdürüyor. Türkiye İşkadınları Derneği'nde Dernek Genel Sekreterliği'nin yanı sıra, Türkiye Otelciler Birliği Genel Sekreteri Ve Türkiye Turizm Yatırımcıları Derneği Yönetim Kurulu Üyesidir. Ayrıca birçok sosyal dernek ve kuruluşa gönüllü destek vermektedir.

Henry Simpson

Senior Director, Development - France, Switzerland, Belgium & Turkey, IHG® Hotels & Resorts

Henry Simpson is Senior Director of Development for France and Turkey at IHG®, one of the world’s leading hotel companies. He is responsible for leading and overseeing all development opportunities in France and French speaking areas and Turkey.

Henry joined IHG in 2018 and brings with him extensive experience in luxury hotel development. Prior to IHG, he was Hotel and Luxury Development Director at Eiffage, one of Europe’s leading operators in construction and concessions, where he developed properties including Kimpton Paris, Hotel du Palais in Biarritz, Airelles in Courchevel and the Hotel du Grand Contrôle in Versailles. He was also in charge of the development of high-end luxury hotels for the Bouygues Renovation Privée Company and worked as contract manager at the famous Ritz in Paris and the Prince de Galles.

Hüsnü Akhan

Doğuş Group Deputy Chairman of the Board

Hüsnü AKHAN completed his secondary and high school education at Birecik High School (Şanlıurfa).  He is a graduate of Middle East Technical University, Department of Business Administration and received his Master’s degree in Economics from University of Miami (USA). Akhan served at various positions of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey. He served as Representative at London Office and Assistant General Manager at the Foreign Relations Department of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey. He joined Doğuş Group in 1994. After serving as the Executive VP responsible for Treasury, Operations and Foreign Relations at Garanti Bank, he was assigned as the General Manager of Körfezbank in 1998. Akhan was a Board Member and CFO of Doğuş Group during 2001-2005, Board Member and CEO of Doğuş Group during 2006-2019. As of July 2019, he has been assigned  Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of  Doğuş Group. Additionally, he currently serves as the Chairman of the Board for Dogus Real Estate, Dogus Construction, Dogus Data Processing & Technology, Hedef Medya Related Digital Marketing, PIT Istanbul Hotel Management Company, Korfez Aviation, Doğuş Planet Electronics & Informatics Services, Ara Güler Doğuş Art & Museum,  and as a board member for TUVTURK, VDF.

İsmail Gülle

Chairman of Turkish Exporters Assembly

Born in Sivas in 1960, Mr. İsmail Gülle has completed his first and secondary education in the same city.

Mr. Gülle graduated from İstanbul Technical University, Faculty of Electrical Engineering in 1982 and obtained an MBA from Istanbul University Business Administration Institute.

He acts as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Gülle Entegre Tekstil İşletmeleri A.Ş., founded in 1970 by his late father Mr. Halis Gülle. Between 1999 - 2003, Mr. Gülle successfully carried out his duties within Istanbul Textile and Raw Materials Exporters' Association as a Board Member. Between 2003-2018, he held the following positions: Chairman of Istanbul Textile and Carpet Exporters' Association (İTHİB), Member of the Sectors' Council at Turkish Exporters Assembly, Vice President at the Istanbul Chamber of Industry, Chairman of the Industrialists and Businessmen Association of Sivas.

He currently holds the positions of Chairman and Member of the Board of Trustees at Ergene-2 Organized Free Zone, Member of the Eximbank, Vice President of DEİK, Member of the Economic Development Foundation, Chairman of the Textile and Raw Materials' Sector Board.

Mr. Gülle was elected as the Chairman of Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) at the 25th General Assembly held on June 30, 2018.

Mr. Gülle is supporting education by way of the schools he has had constructed in Sivas and its villages as well as many individual and institutional scholarships he has provided to secondary and higher education students. İsmail Gülle is married with two children.

Jonathan Crook

The Peninsula Istanbul , Managing Director

Jonathan H. Crook has been Managing Director of The Peninsula Istanbul since January 2022. His commitment to The Peninsula Hotels, however,
spans more than two decades. Prior to his appointment at The Peninsula Istanbul, Mr. Crook held key executive positions at other Peninsula locations in both Asia and North America. Most recently, he served for ten years as General Manager of The Peninsula New York; he also held posts as General
Manager at The Peninsula Manila, Hotel Manager of The Peninsula Tokyo, Resident Manager of The Peninsula Beijing, and Director of Food and Beverage at The Peninsula Chicago.

Before joining The Peninsula Hotels, Mr. Crook spent several years working in managerial roles at renowned luxury properties—including The Dorchester in
London, and The Sonnenalp Resort in Vail, Colorado. Born and raised in the U.K., Mr. Crook spent his formative years in Portugal, Zambia, Montserrat,
and Egypt before receiving a Higher National Diploma in Hotel & Institutional Management from Gloucestershire University in Cheltenham, U.K. During his
career in the hotel industry, he completed the Executive Development Program at the Kellogg School of Management through The University of Science
and Technology in Hong Kong. 

He also completed an Executive Management program at Harvard Business School. 

Julia Simpson

World Travel and Tourism Council, CEO

Julia Simpson CEO and President of the World Travel and Tourism Council.  She spent 14 years in the aviation sector on the Board of British Airways and Iberia and as Chief of Staff at International Airlines Group. Before joining British Airways, Julia was senior adviser to the UK Prime Minister. She held a number of key positions in the UK government and public sector, including Director at the Home Office and Department for Education and Employment; Assistant Chief Executive at the London Borough of Camden; and head of communications at the Communication Workers Union. Julia is on the Board of the London Chamber of Commerce.

Kaan Kaşif Kavaloğlu

Limak Hotels General Coordinator and Limak Holding Tourism Group President

Kaan Kaşif Kavaloğlu was born on 1971 in Istanbul. After completing his secondary and high school education at English Boys High School and Nişantaşı Anatolian High School, he graduated from Istanbul University, Faculty of Economics, Department of Finance, and completed his Master's degree in Tourism and Hotel Management at Istanbul University in Sales Management at Marmara University.

Kaan Kavaloğlu, who started his hotel life as a security guard at Ramada Hotel in 1989, later worked in the front office and guest relations units within the same hotel.

From 1994 to 1998, he worked as Sales & Marketing Manager and Sales Director at Merit International Hotels & Resorts.

He started his duty as Assistant General Manager at Limak International Hotels & Resorts in 1998 and continued as General Manager at Limak Atlantis Deluxe Hotel & Resort by 2002. In 2004, he became president of Limak Holding Tourism Group.

Kaan Kavaloğlu is married and has two sons. He speaks English and French fluently.

Kaan Şakul

Yapı Kredi Factoring and Yapı Kredi Leasing Board Member

M.Kaan Şakul earned his undergraduate degree from Istanbul University, Economics in English Department in 1996 and earned his graduate degree from Bilgi University, Banking and Finance (MA) in 2015. He started his banking career at Yasarbank in 1996 as Corporate Banking Management Trainee until 2000. After working at Finansbank between 2000-2002, he joined Koçbank of Koç Holding. He undertook various positions in branches and Head Office such as Sales Support Manager in Commercial Banking,  Commercial and Corporate Branch Manager positions, Corporate and Commercial Credit Underwriting EVP position, Product Groups EVP position including Project Finance, Investment Banking, Cash Management and Trade Finance, Corporate Banking Sales EVP position until 2021 August. He’s been assigned by the Board of Directors as Corporate Banking Assistant General Manager and Exco member as of August 2021. He’s also member of Sustainability Committee, board of directors at Yapı Kredi Factoring  and Yapi Kredi Leasing.

Kemal Ülgen

Regional Director, Hyve Group

Born in Ankara in 1972, Kemal Ülgen graduated from the Department of Business Administration at Middle East Technical University and began his career at Procter&Gamble in 1997. After serving in various positions in the sales and marketing department, Ülgen joined the BAT family in November 2001 as the Trade Marketing Business Development Manager. Ülgen assumed the role of Trade Marketing Manager at Imperial Tobacco in 2007. Later, he was appointed as Country Manager for the UK, the UAE, Oman, and Qatar at Imperial Tobacco. He most recently served as the General Manager at Herbalife Türkiye. Ülgen joined the Turkish Office of London-based HYVE Group in 2018 as the Regional Director for EMEA.

Levent Nart

NART Sigorta ve Reasürans Brokerliği A.Ş. - CEO

Levent Nart is the founder, President and CEO of Nart Insurance Broking Service Inc. NART is one of the Turkey's leading Insurance Brokers specialising in large risks. He graduated from Ege University and then the University of Cologne, Faculty of Business Administration.

He began his career in 1984 at AXA Colonia Konzern in Germany as a management trainee and became an industrial consultant. From 1987 to 1999, he was the CEO and President of Nordstern UAP, AXA Oyak Insurance Companies in Turkey. In 1999, he established NART, and within 5 years, this company became the largest independent Insurance Broking Service Company in Turkey. NART Insurance and Reinsurance Broking Services Inc. is providing risk management services for Turkish and international industrial companies in more than 130 countries.

Levent NART was President of Turkish Insurance Broker Asssociation (SBD), the Founder Board Member of German & Turkısh Chamber of Commerce and Industry in İstanbul, Supervisory Board Member of Turkish Young Businessmen Association of Turkey (TUGIAD) Vice Board Member of Turkısh Industrialists’ Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD) in Turkey.

Levent Nart speaks english, german fluently and basic french. He is married and has two childeren.

Louisa Vinton

UNDP Resident Representative in Turkey

Louisa Vinton is the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Republic of Turkey from May 2021. Vinton is a development professional with more than 30 years of work experience in the region covered by the Regional Bureau for Europe and Central Asia.

Previously she served as the UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia from November 2018 to March 2021. Earlier she held the dual roles of UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in North Macedonia, from November 2013 to October 2018, and Croatia, from July 2010 to June 2014.

In these roles, she successfully championed UNDP initiatives focused on job creation and selfemployment, vocational training, public service delivery, local and regional economic development, social inclusion, gender equality, human rights, flood prevention, nature protection, energy efficiency, climate resilience, and crisis prevention and post-conflict recovery. She led the UN response to the migration crisis of 2015-16 in North Macedonia and spearheaded COVID-19 socio-economic response and recovery efforts in Georgia in 2020-21.

She has a strong track record in building partnerships with Government, civil society, the private sector, academia and the international community.

Her first post with UNDP was as Division Chief in the Regional Bureau for Europe and Central Asia in New York, starting in February 2004, where she was responsible for UNDP activities in seven countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, the Russian Federation, and Ukraine. She also led UN coordination on issues related to the legacy of the Chernobyl nuclear accident of 1986.

Before joining UNDP, Louisa Vinton worked for the Economist Intelligence Unit for nine years, first as Editor of the weekly newsletter Business Eastern Europe and Editor in Chief of the company's East European business publishing operations in Vienna, and later as head of the company's Executive Services unit in New York. She is a champion of effective communications and excels at advocacy and messaging.

Between 1988 and 1994 Louisa Vinton worked as a Senior Research Analyst for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Inc., in Munich, specializing in coverage of Polish politics and economics.

She holds a B.A. in Russian Studies from Cornell University and an M.A. in History from the University of Michigan. As well as English, she speaks conversational Croatian, German, Polish and Russian.

Magsud Rahmanov

Head of Hotel Transactions CEE & SEE

Maribel Rodriguez

Senior Vice President - WTTC

Executive MBA with over 25 years of experience in Travel & Tourism Industry.  After building a career in the Commercial Aviation and Hospitality Industry she joined WTTC in 2014 as Europe & Latin-American Director. Since 2019 she serves as Senior Vice President at WTTC looking after Commercial, Membership & Events including the worldwide recognized Global Summit. 

In 2020 founded Women Leading Tourism whose mission is to foster and promote the presence of women in the highest corporate governance bodies in tourism in accordance with the quantity and quality of female employment in the sector.

Before WTTC she managed the launch and development of the commercial aviation low-cost model in Europe in pioneering companies like Virgin, Go-fly, EasyJet, and Ryanair airlines. She also worked at British Airways as Sales & Marketing Director for Spain, Portugal, and France. She also spent 6 years in the hospitality at Travelodge Hotels Spain as CCO and elected Board Member of the Corporate Association of Hotels in Madrid (AEHM) and Promotion Commission.

Maribel has an extensive network and experience at C-Level and other decision makers in the public and private sector.

Executive MBA at ICADE Business School, a Degree in Industrial Psychology from the University of Salamanca and holds a Senior Executive Program for Travel & Tourism at IESE & JSF.

Mehmet Cüneyt Ateş

Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi Kamu Yönetimi Bölümü mezunudur.  Mardin Artuklu Üniversitesi Turizm ve Rehberlik Bölümünde Yüksek Lisansını tamamlamıştır.  Türkiye Finans Katılım Bankası Albaraka Türk Katılım Bankasında Kurumsal pazarlama yöneticisi olarak görev yapmıştır. Yaklaşık 10 yıla yakın bir süredir Karacadağ Kalkınma Ajansı Şanlıurfa Yatırım Destek Ofisinde uzman olarak görev yapmaktadır. JICA tarafından düzenlenen Kırsal Turizm programı kapsamında Japonya’da eğitim almıştır.   Turizm Alt Yapı Programları, Destinasyon Yönetimi, Ulusal ve Uluslararası Tanıtım ve Pazarlama ile Turizm Yatırım işlemleri konusunda danışmanlık yapmakta ve yatırım takibi yapmaktadır. UNESCO Dünya Kültür Mirası listesinde yer alan ve bütün dünyanın ilgisini çeken Göbeklitepe Ören Yerinin turizme kazandırılması projesi ile Türkiye’nin en büyük butik oteli olan VE Hotels Şanlıurfa’nın ilimize kazandırıldığı  Kültür Adası Projelerinde aktif olarak görev yapmıştır. Şanlıurfa’da devam eden çeşitli turizm alt yapı projelerinde aktif olarak görev almaya devam etmektedir.  Türkiye Turizm Tanıtım ve Geliştirme Ajansı Şanlıurfa İl Komisyonu üyesidir.

Mehmet Kalyoncu

Board Membur, Kalyon Holding Chairman Real Estate Investors Association

Architect and businessperson Mehmet Kalyoncu is a board member of Kalyon Holding and an Executive Board Member at Istanbul New Airport.
He completed his undergraduate study at the Department of Architecture of Istanbul Technical University and meanwhile attended The Architectural Association and Illinois Institute of Technology universities. Kalyoncu is the founder of the Turkey Design Council also the Chairperson of Turkey’s Real Estate Investors Association (GYODER) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Gaziantep Foundation for Education and Services, which founded Hasan Kalyoncu University,Kalyoncu is married with two children.

Mehmet Uncu

General Manager, Şanlıurfa Tourism Development Inc.

Mehmet Uncu Şanlıurfa Bölgesel Turist Rehberleri Odası, Şanlıurfa Valiliği ve Şanlıurfa’daki başat turizm paydaşlarının ortak olduğu  yönetişim modeli olan Şanlıurfa Turizmi Geliştirme A.Ş. genel müdürü olarak görev yapmaktadır. 2007 yılında ODTÜ İktisat bölümünden mezun olduktan sonra, Yüksek Lisans Eğitimine ODTÜ Uluslararası İlişkiler bölümünde devam etmiştir. Jean Monnet Bursu ile ikinci yüksek lisans eğitimini University of East Anglia’da tamamlamış, CEDOFED bursu ile İtalya’da ve Young Turkey-Young America programı ile ABD’de eğitim almıştır. Turist Rehberliği Eğitimini Artuklu Üniversitesi Tezsiz Yüksek Lisans programı ile tamamlamıştır.  İş hayatında sırasıyla Hacettepe Nüfus Etütleri Enstitüsü, ANKON Çevre Danışmanlık, UNHCR, Dicle Kalkınma Ajansı, Uluslararası Tasarım Vakfı, Uncu Yönetim Kalkınma Proje ve Dış Ticaret, Şanlıurfa Turizmi Geliştirme A.Ş.’de görev almıştır. Türkiye’nin bir çok ilinde Turizm Planlaması ve Proje çalışmalarında bulunmuştur. Şanlıurfa özelinde 2019 Göbeklitepe Etkinliklerinin organizasyonu ve koordinasyonu, Şanlıurfa Turizm Master Planı, Turizm İlçe Stratejileri gibi farklı  görevlerde bulunmuştur.

Mevlüt Akbaş

Mevlüt Akbaş, Advisory Services Partner at PwC Turkey

Mevlüt Akbaş leads the team that provides advisory services on new financing, financial restructuring and M&A transactions in the infrastructure sector at PwC.

He started his career at the Corporate Banking department of Koçbank and then continued with Doğuş Holding/Finance Department and Deloitte/Advisory Services.

He is married and has one child. He holds bachelor's degree in Political Science and International Relations from Marmara University and master’s degree in Finance and Economics from Boğaziçi University.

Mike Collini

Vice President, Development, Central, Eastern & Southern Europe, Hilton

Mike Collini is Vice President of Development with Hilton. He is based in Rome and is responsible for expanding Hilton’s portfolio of brands in Central, Eastern & Southern Europe. He leads a team of developers based in the strategic development markets of Italy, Poland, Russia and Turkey.

A Hilton career spanning almost 25 years and including roles in Capex Management and Real Estate, Collini has also worked in Istanbul and was responsible for overseeing Hilton’s development in Sub-Sahara Africa.

Collini is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor and has a master’s degree in Property, Business & Management.

Murat Özdemir

Senior Advisor / Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey

Mr. Özdemir is serving as the Senior Advisor to the President at the Investment Office (aka Invest in Türkiye), the official organization of the Presidency for promoting Turkey’s investment opportunities to the global business community and providing free-of-charge assistance to international investors before, during and after their entry into Turkey.

At the Investment Office, he previously served as the Country Advisor for the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2020 based in London, UK and as the Country Advisor for Canada from 2011 to 2016 based in Toronto, Canada.

Before joining the Investment Office in 2011, he worked for private sector companies and gained hands-on experience in investment project management in large capital projects and business consulting experience in supply chain management. He received B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Industrial Engineering from Istanbul Technical University and Sabanci University, respectively.

Mustafa Sani Şener

Vice Chairman, TAV

Founding partner of TAV Airports, Mustafa Sani Sener served as a member of Board of Directors, President and CEO between 1997 and 2022. On 1 May 2022, he was appointed as the Deputy Chairman of the Board.

Founded in 1997 with the Istanbul Ataturk Airport BOT project, TAV Airports achieved huge financial and operational growth under the leadership of Mr. Sener. Today the company manages a portfolio of 15 airports in eight countries.

Mr. Sener, graduated from Karadeniz Technical University (KTU) Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in 1977, Şener earned his Master’s degree (M. Phil) in fluid mechanics in 1979 from University of Sussex in the UK. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in engineering from KTU for “his invaluable contributions to the development of Turkish engineering at the international level”, as well as an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from the New Hampshire University “for his accomplishments in project and risk management throughout his tenure at TAV”. Prior to his career at TAV Airports, Şener served in various positions, from project manager to general manager, in national and international projects.

He attended the executive education program on the management of complex systems at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He gave a lecture in Harvard Business School MBA Program on TAV Airports Case Study by HBS.

Mustafa Sani Şener previously served on the Board of Airports Council International (ACI World) and acted as the chairman of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEIK) Turkey-France and Turkey-Croatia business councils. Since January 2022, Şener is acting as the Chairman of the DEIK Turkey-Kazakhstan Business Council. In 2016, Şener was awarded the Legion d'honneur by the President of the Republic of France François Hollande, due to his contributions to the relations between Turkey and France and he was given the High Honour of Service by the Georgian state. In 2019 he was honored with Medal of Merit for Macedonia Republic for the improvement of business and commercial relations in Macedonia and Turkey.

In the voting carried out by Thomson Extel among national and international finance corporations, he was chosen first in the category of “The Best CEO” in Turkey in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2016, and third in the European Transport Sector in 2014.

Necmi Karul

İstanbul Üniversitesi Prehistorya Anabilim Dalı’nda lisan ve yüksek lisansını tamamlayan Karul, DAAD bursu ile doktorasını 2000 yılında Berlin Frei Universität’de tamamladı. Doktoranın ardından Atlas Dergisi arkeoloji editörlüğü yaptı ve ArkeoAtlas Dergisini yayınladı.

Necmi Karul akademik hayatını 2002 yılında Prehistorya Anabilim Dalı’nda asistan olarak başladı; 2006 yılında doçent, 2017 yılında profesör unvanı aldı.

Bu süre zarfında 2005 yılında Harvard Üniversitesi’nde araştırma bursu aldı.

2013-2016 yılları arasında EJA (Journal of European Archaeology) Dergisi Editörler Kurulu üyeliği yaptı. 2014 yılından bu yana Türk Eskiçağ Bilimleri Enstitüsü Colloquium Anatolicum, 2009-2012 ve 2019 yılından bu yana Türkiye Bilimler Akademisi Arkeoloji Dergisi (TÜBA-AR) Editörler Kurulu üyelikleri ile Magma Dergisi arkeoloji editörlüğünü sürdürüyor.

Necmi Karul aynı zamanda Alman Arkeoloji Enstitüsü, Avusturya Arkeoloji Enstitüsü, Türk Eskiçağ Enstitüsü Yönetim Kurulu üyesi ve ICOMOS Türkiye Milli Komitesi üyesidir.

2007-2015 yılları arasında Arkeologlar Derneği İstanbul Şubesi’nin başkanlığını yapmıştır.

Kazılara gelince 1989 yılından bu yana Anadolu’nun farklı yerlerinde tarihöncesi kazı ve yüzey araştırmalarında görev aldı, 2004-2019 Bursa Aktopraklık Höyük kazı başkanlığı ve 2010-2014 yılları arasında Siirt Gusir Höyük kazılarının bilimsel danışmanlığını yürüttü ve 2020 yılında bu yana Göbeklitepe ve Karahantepe kazılarının başkanlığını yapıyor.

Prof. Dr. Nevrez Koylan

Atherosclerosis Association and Healthy Living Movement Association

Prof. Dr. Nevrez Koylan 3 Mart 1957 tarihinde İskenderun’da doğdu. İlköğrenimini İstanbul Kocamustafapaşa İlkokulu’nda, orta öğrenimini Eskişehir Maarif Koleji’nde tamamladıktan sonra 1975 yılında girdiği İstanbul Tıp Fakültesi’nden 1981 yılında mezun oldu. Aynı yıl İstanbul Tıp Fakültesi İç Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı’nda başladığı uzmanlık eğitimini 1986 yılında tamamlayarak İç Hastalıkları Uzmanı oldu. Ekim 1989’da İstanbul Tıp Fakültesi İç Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı Kardiyoloji Bilim Dalı’nda Araştırma Görevlisi olarak çalışmaya başladı. 1990 yılında İç Hastalıkları Doçenti ünvanını alan Prof. Koylan, Kardiyoloji Bilim Dalı’nın Anabilim Dalı’na dönüşmesinde aktif rol aldı. 1996 yılında Profesör ve Kardiyoloji Uzmanı ünvanlarını alan Prof. Koylan ayrıldığı 2011 tarihine kadar aynı kurumda öğretim üyesi olarak görev yaptı. Bu görevi sırasında 1993- 2006 yılları arasında Dinamik EKG Laboratuarı Yöneticiliği, 2000- 2002 tarihleri arasında İstanbul Tıp Fakültesi Araştırma Etik Kurul üyeliği ve 2002- 2003 arasında da aynı kurulun başkanlığını yaptı. Prof. Dr. Nevrez Koylan halen Ateroskleroz Derneği’nin ve Sağlıklı Yaşam Hareketi Derneği’nin başkanlığı ve Farmakogenomik ve Bireyselleştirilmiş Tedavi Derneğinin başkan yardımcılığını yürütmektedir. Türk Kardiyoloji Derneği’nin 1984 yılından itibaren üyesi olan Prof. Koylan, American College of Cardiology Fellow (FACC), Avrupa Kardiyoloji Derneği Fellow (FESC) ve Avrupa Hipertansiyon Uzmanı (EHS) ve İyi Klinik Uygulamalar (GCP) sertifikasyonlarına sahiptir ve Avrupa Hipertansiyon Derneği ve Avrupa Ateroskleroz Derneği aktif üyesidir. Prof. Dr. Nevrez Koylan 4 yabancı dilde ve 15 Türkçe kitaba bölüm yazarı olarak katkıda bulunmuş, ayrıca yabancı hakemli dergilerde yayınlanmış 31 makalesi ve Türkçe yayınlanmış 98 makale ve derlemesi ile uluslararası bilimsel kongrelerde sunulmuş 57 bildirisi mevcuttur.

Nükhet Küçükel Ezberci

Business Woman Güven Health Group

Nüket Küçükel Ezberci was born in Bremen/ Germany in 1969.

She was graduated from TED College Ankara in 1986, followed by her bachelor studies on International Relations at Bilkent University in Ankara.

Between 1992 and 2007, Küçükel Ezberci had been a career diplomat at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 1994-1999 she has served in the Turkish Consulates Generals of Essen and Jerusalem respectively. 2001-2005 was appointed to the Turkish Embassy in Madrid as the First Secretary. Upon her return to the country she was appointed to the General Secretariat for European Union Affairs as the Deputy Head of Department for Political Affairs.

With the unexpected loss of her parents; Küçükel Ezberci had left her career path in the MFA to take over the family owned Güven Hospital which was established in 1974. Inherited by two sisters, in 10 years; Güven Hospital (www.guven.com.tr) became Güven Health Group (guven@guven.com.tr) providing health service over 75.000 m2, with a conventional Hospital of 311 beds in the city center; a Health Campus -that apart from general medical servicesincludes a Geriatric Center, a comprehensive Physical Therapy Center as well a Sports and Dietetic Center.

As an inseparable part of GHG; Güven Education and Healthcare Foundation (guvenvakfi.org) has been a gate to reach to a portion of disadvantaged people of the society but more importantly the Foundation has been using its whole capacity to bring all solution parties to tackle the ‘Advanced Aging / Health and Care Solutions’ phenomenon not only in Turkey but also in European countries.

The post-covit era will lay out many opportunities for bringing out sustainable solutions which also will serve for the economical developments of the respected countries by using technological/ AI based new generation medical devices to provide aid and assistance to the elderly. With this regard a business model was established within GHG by Güven Future (guvenfuture.com.tr), an ambitious company to follow-up health start-ups around the related circles.

Nüket Küçükel Ezberci, currently:
• Member of the Turkish Presidential Health And Food Policy Board, appointed by the
President;
• Board Member of Turkish Industry And Business Association (TÜSİAD)
• Member of Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK) ; Chairs Turkish Side of
Turkish-Argentinian Business Council.

Kucukel Ezberci is fluent in English and Spanish.
Married with three children.

NÜKET KÜÇÜKEL EZBERCİ
Business Woman
Güven Health Group

Oliver Doerschuck

CEO D-Marin

10+ years of C-Suite experience, currently CEO of D-Marin, a CVC portfolio company, owning and operating a marina network in Turkey, VAE, Croatia, Montenegro and Greece. Key goal is to expand the marina network in the Mediterranean Sea and worldwide by acquisition and to build a modern premium marina chain.

Before he was the Regional CEO of SSP PLC operating more than 1000 restaurants at travel hubs across Europe, and COO of TUI Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Poland conducting business worldwide with Turkey, Spain and Greece as main holiday destination.

Oliver has rich experience and a strong track record of outperformance in hospitality and leisure industries with a focus on Customer Experience, Yield Management, Product Design and Digitalization.

He holds a MBA and a doctorate in Economics and Innovation.

Olivier Harnisch

Founder , Lunasole Hospitality

Olivier Harnisch is an international Hotelier with over 35 years of experience and founder of Lunasole Hospitality, a consultancy company based in the UAE. Until 2021, he held the position of Head of Hospitality at the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and was the founding CEO of the PIF Hotel Management Company in Riyadh. Previously, Mr. Harnisch was CEO at Emaar Hospitality in Dubai. He started in the hospitality industry in 1986 in Nice, France. His career includes 4 years as COO of the Radisson Hotel Group and 14 years at Hilton where he was Managing Director for Northern and Central Europe. Mr. Harnisch is a Non-Executive Director and Board Member of various companies in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. He holds an MSc in Organizational Behavior from the University of London, an MBA from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and a Degree in Hospitality Management from the Berlin School of Hotel Administration. Having worked across the globe, Olivier Harnisch is fluent in six languages. He is also a passionate airplane pilot.

Orcun Makal

Financial Restructuring Advisory – Turkey / Head of CESA Capital & Debt Advisory EY Kurumsal Finansman

Orçun Makal, 2006 yılında EY Türkiye Kurumsal Finansman Bölümü’ne katılmıştır ve Ortak olarak görev yapmaktadır.

Orçun, EY Türkiye Kurumsal Finansman Bölümünü ekibine katılmadan önce, Koç Finansal Hizmetler’de Proje ve Yapılandırılmış Finansman bölümünde görev yapmıştır. Orçun, bu süreçte Yapılandırılmış Finansman eğitimleri de vermiştir.

Orçun DePaul Üniversitesi’den yüksek lisans, İstanbul Üniversitesinden lisans derecesine ve CBA ünvanına sahiptir.

Orçun, finansal yeniden yapılandırma, fizibilite danışmanlığı, finansmana aracılık, refinansman ve finansal danışmanlık alanlarında turizm sektöründe birçok projede yer almıştır

Uzmanlık Alanları

Proje finansmanı danışmanlığı, 
Finansal modelleme hizmetleri,
İş model hizmetleri,
Birleşme ve satın alma danışmanlığı,
Değerleme hizmetleri,
Yeniden yapılandırma hizmetleridir.

Orkun Petekçi

Elite World Hotels COO

In his over 30 years of hospitality industry career he has worked in executive positions in local and international hotels.

He graduated Istanbul University Tourism and Hotel Management and Anadolu University Department of Economics. Orkun Petekci worked different positions in front office department of  international hotel groups such as Kempinski, Conrad and Hyatt. He joined Accor in 2006 as a Hotel Manager of Novotel Istanbul, served as General Manager of Novotel Istanbul & Ibis Istanbul, Brand Manager and finally served for 8 years as a Vice President Operations of Accor hotels in various countries such as Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine and Turkey.

Orkun Petekçi has been working as a COO of Elite World Hotels since December 2021.

Oya Narin

TTYD President

Oya Narin,  İstanbul doğumludur.  St.Michel Lisesini bitirdikten sonra İsviçre’de Hotel Ecolieré Lausanne’dan mezun olmuştur. Öğrenim hayatını bitirdikten sonra; İsviçre’de ve USA’da çeşitli otellerde çalışmıştır. İngilizce ve Fransızca bilen Narin, 2 çocuk annesidir.

1989’dan itibaren Narin Tekstil A.Ş. ve Martı Otel İşletmeleri A.Ş. ‘de Yönetim Kurulu Üyeliği, Yönetim Kurulu Başkan Yardımcılığı, Yönetim Kurulu Başkanlığı gibi çeşitli görevleri yürütmüştür.

Halen; Martı Otel İşletmeleri A.Ş. Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı, Martı GYO Gayrimenkul Yatırım Ortaklığı A.Ş. Yönetim Kurulu Üyesi, Lila Müzik Yapım A.Ş.  Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı, TOHUM - Türkiye Otizm Erken Tanı ve Eğitim Vakfı Kurucu Üye – Yönetim Kurulu Üyesi görevlerini de yürütmektedir.

Üye Olduğu Vakıf ve Dernekler :

TTYD – Türkiye Turizm Yatırımcıları Derneği - Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı

TUSIAD - Küresel İlişkiler ve AB Yuvarlak Masa Başkan Yardımcılığı ve Turizm Çalışma Grubu Başkanlığı yapmıştır.

WTTC – World Travel Tourism Council Üyesi

DEIK – Dış Ekonomik İlişkiler Kurulu  Üyesi

TOBB – Turizm Meclisi - Meclis Başkan Yardımcısı ve Kadın Girişimciler Kurulu İcra Kurulu Üyesi

TUROB – Turistlik Otelciler ve İşletmeciler Birliği Üyesi

GETOB - Güney Ege Turistlik Otelciler Birliği Üyesi

KETAV - Kemer Yöresi Tanıtım Vakfı Üyesi

KAGİDER - Türkiye Kadın Girişimciler Derneği Üyesi

Ömer K. İsvan

President

Omer Isvan, the founder, president and managing partner of Servotel, has worked with global hotel companies in senior management positions. Backed up with industry-leading specialists based in London and Istanbul, Mr. Isvan’s experience spans over 43 countries and numerous projects advising investors in every step, from green-field stage to asset management of hotels & resorts, including hotel and spa operator selection and negotiations with most leading brands.

Omer Isvan, who is a graduate of University of Surrey, England, with a BSc. in Hotel and Tourism Management; is a member of Institute of Hospitality; Institute of Directors and British Institute of Management, CMI and advisory board member of the leading industry forum IHIF. Mr. Isvan is reported to have introduced the term ‘boutique hotel’ into the industry and is one of few industry leaders to make the cover of BusinessWeek magazine. Alongside his career, Mr. Isvan contributes to the industry by delivering keynote lectures in hospitality development at conferences and leading universities and corporate MBA’s globally.

Özcan Biçer

Istanbul Tourism Platform Director

Born in 1971 in Erzincan, Özcan Biçer graduated from Yıldız Technical University, Department of City and Regional Planning in 1994 and then Master’s degree with the theme of Urban Renewal in the Tarihi Yarımada.

In order to point of the problems in Istanbul and to protect the values of the city together with the public opinion, he served as a member of the board of directors and the second chairman of the Istanbul Branch of the Chamber of Urban Planners for 10 years.

His spatial planning experience extended approximately 10 percent of Turkey, while he accomplished significant projects in the field of urban design such as Levent Çarşı, Arnavutköy Çarşı, Beyoğlu Tepebaşı, Beyoğlu Talimhane Tourism Project. He took part in founding and management of local and sectoral participation and governance mechanisms such as Beyoğlu Platform and Istanbul Tourism Atelier of IMM (Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality).

Biçer, served as the General Manager of BİMTAŞ between 2020 and 2022. Concurrently to being Chairman of the Board of Directors of KENTHAŞ as of April 2022, carries out his duty as the Director of Istanbul Tourism Platform of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

Pelin Özkan

Chief Editor of DigitalAge and MediaCat

PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY

• She graduated from the Physics Department at ODTÜ and MBA program at Boğaziçi University.
• She got into advertisement while still studying and started to publish MediaCat in 1993 after 12 years of a career in advertisement.
• Besides MediaCat, she is the chief editor of all MediaCat publications, MediaCat Cannes Lions, which is issued in English every year, Digital Age and Pİ, which is a marketing and communications culture magazine.
• She is the editor of MediaCat Books which have surpassed 800 in numbers.
• With her large team, Pelin Özkan hold dozens of workshops, seminars, events such as the Digital Age Summit and Brand Week Istanbul, Felis and Women to Watch awards and Lovemarks studies every year.
• She has been working in the capacity of co-manager and faculty member at Brand School, which is the Marketing Communication Post-Graduate Program of Bilgi University.

BOOKS

• Hayatımız Reklam (All About that Ad)

Pelin Rodoplu

Inclusive and Sustainable Growth Portfolio Manager, UNDP

Pelin Rodoplu started her career as a financial analyst and after completing her master's degree in Germany, Mrs. Rodoplu joined the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and has taken an active role in UNDP initiatives related to SME development, regional competitiveness, clustering, efficiency, innovative development practices, rural development programmes, women's empowerment, energy efficiency and renewable energy, and the development of public-private cooperation, and worked with relevant public institutions, non-governmental organizations, private sector representatives and academia. Mrs. Rodoplu has been managing the UNDP Sustainable and Inclusive Growth Portfolio since 2015.

Ramsay Rankoussi

VP Development Africa & Turkey, Radisson Hotel Group

An entrepreneurial self-starter and deal maker with strong analytical, modeling, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, Ramsay has a proven track record in originating and executing various type of deal structure within the hospitality industry across Middle East, Turkey & Africa with more than 100 single transactions concluded.

Based in Dubai, Ramsay leads Radisson Hotel Group’s strategic growth across Africa & Turkey and with a team based in Istanbul, Dubai and Cape Town and previously led all efforts across the Middle East. Ramsay is a member of Radisson Hotel Group’s Business Leadership Team and directly reports to the Global Chief Development Officer.  

Tasked with increasing the Group’s hotel portfolio and footprint in his assigned markets, the Group’s largest geographical area, Ramsay is an expert dealmaker, leading transactions from sourcing through to execution.  He oversees the underwriting, strategic planning, investment analysis and asset management activities for all type of deal structuring, including conversions and take overs, financial commitments, franchise and straight management agreements.

A Belgian national, Ramsay is fluent in multiple languages and with a multi-cultural background. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and an MBA specialized in Hotel Real Estate Finance and Asset Management from the ESSEC Business School (IMHI) in Paris.

Robin Kestek

DIRECTOR HEAD OF NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT – SERVOTEL CORPORATION

Director of New Business Development at Servotel, specializes mainly in hotels, tourism complexes, as well as alternative mix-use projects incorporating residential and hotel features. Robin has also been responsible for branding, development of alternative hospitality concepts, as well as hotel assessments provided to major financial institutions to direct project based financing structuring decisions. More recently, Robin has been leading all New Business Development within the organization with the ultimate aim of diversifying Servotel through new scope of services such as Brand Creation or Brand Expansion for Investors willing to penetrate or grow in the hospitality industry, as well as engaging in adjacent businesses such as co-working, F&B, Wellness with other handpicked solution partners in the industry.

Graduated from the School of Hotel Administration (SHA) at Cornell University, with a concentration in Design & Development, and a minor in Real Estate; Robin Kestek completed its Room Division Management Training at the Peninsula New York, worked in several luxury hotels and hospitality based organization such as The Ritz London, Four Seasons Bosphorus in Istanbul, and The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) in New York City. Alongside his career, he contributes to the industry as the founder of Servotel Academy, running the external relations with leading hospitality and business schools such as the Bosphorus University via diverse coop and internship programs, creating an incubation center for new generation project ideas within the Istanbul office.

Sahba Sobhani

Director, IICPSD & UNDP

Sahba Sobhani is the Director of UNDP IICPSD. Mr. Sobhani brings 19 years of experience in the private sector in Silicon Valley, Singapore and at UNDP as Programme Advisor, Team Leader and Programme Manager including as the technical lead for the recently endorsed UNDP private sector strategy. He has significant partnership development and advocacy experience with the private
sector working with over 100 companies and business organizations and a track record of operational leadership, innovation and management of 6 global UNDP-led strategic multi-stakeholder partnerships and initiatives in the area of business and development  including the Business Call to Action Initiative, the Connecting Business Initiative and the G20 Global Platform on Inclusive Business and has  been the principal author and content manager of all 5 major UNDP-led reports in the area of private sector in development, Previously, he managed two key UNDP private sector initiatives in the executive office of the former Administrator of UNDP, Mark Malloch Brown, including the Commission on the Private Sector and Development, and the African Financial Markets Initiative. He co-authored Unleashing Entrepreneurship: Making Business Work for the Poor, the seminal report of the Private Sector Commission produced at the request of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Mr. Sobhani was the managing editor of the African Stock Markets Handbook. He is a graduate of Yale University and the Fletcher School of Diplomacy (USA).

Sandeep Walia

Chief Operating Officer – Middle East Marriott International

Sandeep Walia is the Chief Operating Officer for Marriott International in the Middle East. With over 25 years of international experience in the hotel industry, Sandeep is currently responsible for the operations of Marriott’s properties in the Middle East (including Egypt and Turkey) which features over
150 operational properties and more than 90 properties in its pipeline.

Sandeep is a seasoned hospitality professional with strategic business acumen driven to deliver operational and financial excellence to create market leading returns and establish mutually beneficial partnerships and relationships with stakeholders. A dynamic and result-oriented leader, he is adept at
building and nurturing high performance teams guiding and motivating them towards setting and achieving visionary goals by effectively aligning company values with key business initiatives and brand experiences.

Sandeep joined Marriott International in 2005. Prior to his current role, Sandeep was the Area Vice President for the United Arab Emirates and overlooked the operation of the company’s largest market in the Middle East. Before taking on his role in the UAE, he was the Area Vice President - Luxury Brands
for Western Europe, overseeing the company’s luxury portfolio across Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, the UK and all BVLGARI hotels in Europe.

Having worked for brands across Asia (India), Middle East, Africa and Europe, Sandeep has a global mindset and a key understanding of the consumer landscape and their evolving needs and aspirations.

Sandeep’s other key accomplishments include an Executive MBA from the Kellog School of Management at Northwestern University, a degree in Leadership from Harvard Business School and a post-graduate from the Oberoi Center of Learning and Development.

Of Indian origin, Sandeep currently resides in Dubai and is a member of the Young Presidents Organization.

Seçil Yıldız

Executive Vice President Development and Investment Bank of Türkiye

After graduating from Boğaziçi University, Department of Business Administration, Mrs. Yildiz began her career at the Industrial Development Bank of Turkey in 1998. She held various managerial positions at Bayerische Hypo-und Vereinsbank AG, UniCredit Invesment Securities and ING Bank where she assumed wide variety of investment banking roles. Mrs. Yildiz joined to the Development and Investment Bank of Türkiye in 2019 as the Executive Vice President, responsible from Investment Banking, Project Evaluation, Corporate Communications and Sustainability and Environmental Social Impact Management. Mrs. Yildiz is also chair of Development Asset Leasing Companies and board member of Turkey Securitization Company and Development Venture Capital Portfolio Management Company.

Selda Susal Saatçi

Anadolu Efes Group Corporate Communications and Relations Director (CCAO)

2019 yılında Kurumsal İletişim ve İlişkiler Direktörü olarak Anadolu Efes ailesine katılan Selda Susal Saatçi, 2022 yılı itibari ile Anadolu Efes Grup Kurumsal İletişim ve İlişkiler Direktörü (CCAO) olarak atandı. Cağaloğlu Anadolu Lisesi’nin ardından İstanbul Üniversitesi Alman Dili ve Edebiyatı Bölümü’nden mezun olan Susal Saatçi, daha sonra Harvard İşletme Okulu’nda Liderlik Gelişim Programı’nı tamamladı.

27 yıllık profesyonel iş hayatı bulunan Saatçi, DHL Express, Philip Morris gibi dünyanın önde gelen şirketlerinde kurumsal iletişim alanında üst düzey pozisyonlarda görev aldı.

YeatUp adlı startup’ı kurarark girişimcilik ekosisteminde de yer aldı.

Anadolu Efes’teki CCAO görevinin yanı sıra BMÜD Bira ve Malt Üreticileri Derneği Başkanı’dır.

Yerel Hayvan Koruma Görevlisi olan Susal Saatçi, bir yaşam hakkı savuncusu.

Serdar Kutucu

CEO, Slow Hospitality

Since April 2020, Serdar is Chief Executive Officer of Slow – a collective of people, places and projects that reframe the ways we live, work and interact. Drawing insights from regenerative agriculture, adaptive reuse and the slow movement, Slow is currently developing places around the world that offer a deeper, conscious and collaborative form of hospitality. Serdar leads all Slow business development efforts and the growth of our global community.

Serdar is passionate about transformative, boundary-pushing travel experiences and has always had a keen instinct for brand narrative, architecture and positioning. Before joining Slow, Serdar was Chief Operating Officer at Design Hotels. Over his 12 years at the company, he played a vital role in shaping the Design Hotels collection and driving the creative & strategic development of the brand.

His deep understanding of the travel industry, gastronomy and hospitality is complemented with a wealth of experience in marketing, communications and business innovation. He holds a master’s degree in international business administration from the University of Vienna.

Sergenç İneler

Tarkem , General Manager

1981 yılında İzmir’de doğdu. Ortaokul ve lise eğitimini İzmir Özel Saint Joseph Fransız Lisesi’nde burslu olarak tamamladı. Ardından Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi’ne Felsefe okudu. Üniversite eğitimi sırasında Avrupa Birliği projelerinde eğitmen olarak görev yaptı ve DPT bünyesindeki Türk Ulusal Ajansı’nın kurulumunda eğitmen olarak görev aldı. Kısa bir süre Strasbourg’ta Avrupa Konseyi’nde de çalıştı. 2006 yılında tekrar Türkiye’ye döndü ve Dünya Bankası ile çalışmaya başladı. 3 yıl süre ile Gençlik Sosyal Gelişim Programı’nda Hibe Yöneticisi olarak görev aldı. Ardından askerlik görevini İskenderun’da tamamladı ve askerlik sonrası İzmir’de bir tütün şirketinde üst düzey yönetici olarak görev almaya başladı.

Bu görevinden Kasım 2017’de ayrıldıktan sonra TARKEM ailesine katılarak önce ORKEM Genel Müdür Yardımcılığı görevini üstlendi ve 2018 Ocak’tan itibaren de TARKEM Genel Müdürlüğü görevini yürütmekte.Yine Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi’nde Felsefe Yüksek Lisans ve İzmir Yüksek Teknoloji Enstitüsü’nde Mühendislik İşletmeciliği olmak üzere iki yüksek lisans programını yüksek şeref öğrencisi olarak başarıyla tamamladı.

Seyhan Özdemir

Founding President, Autoban

Seyhan Özdemir studied architecture at the Fine Arts Faculty of Mimar Sinan University, where she also met her future partner Sefer Çağlar. The two graduated in 1998 and after gaining experience at other architecture and desing firms, they co-founded Autoban in 2003. Autoban works across architecture and interiors, product and experiential desing, forging a repatation for thoughtfulness, experimentation and craftsmanship.

With a portfolio that includes a collection of projects throughout hospitality, retail, residential, aviation, transportation and public realm developments, Autoban's work is typified by familiar forms and materials repurposed in vital, contemporary ways. After redefining the cityscape of Istanbul in the early 2000's, the studio's work has extended to include large scale signature projects from Europe to Asia and the Indian Ocean. Award winning projects can be found major centers such as London, Manchester, Malta, the Maldives and Thailand.

Autoban's signed products sold in more than 50 places around the world, and most recently the Autoban Renewed collection they designed for Dalaespada. Seyhan Özdemir Sarper, the founder and head of design of Autoban, participated as a speaker at various local and international conferences, and also served as a jury member in international architecture and design awards.

Simon Allison

Founding President, Hoftel

Simon is the founding chairman of HOFTEL, the leading global association for hotel real estate investors who pay management or franchise fees to, or get rents from, the brands, with members’ portfolios now around US$ 100 billion. Members and subscribers include significant investors worldwide such as Katara, Union Investment, ADIA, Blackstone, Credit Suisse, Schroders, Canyon Equity, CapMan, CTF Development, Swire Properties, Sun Hung Kai Properties SC Capital, Frasers’ Hospitality Trust, Aldar, Dubai Properties and Harilela Hotels. We also have domestic players like Starboard Hotels in the UK, HR Group in Germany, Er Yatirim in Turkey and Boutique Group in Thailand; and Lionstone Development in the USA. HOFTEL holds meetings for its members annually in Europe, the Middle East and Asia as well as publishing a quarterly Hotel Owners Journal.

Simon has widespread hotel industry experience, having been Chief Development Officer at Onyx Hospitality in Thailand from 2009 – 2013 and, prior to that, Chief Financial Officer of both luxury operator Six Senses and of US$ 500 mm hotel ownership company Hospitality Europe. Before that he worked for ten years in the corporate finance division of JP Morgan in London, coming to head up their global hotel industry coverage.

Simon has an MA in Modern History from Christ Church, Oxford

Şekib Avdagiç

President of The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce

Şekib Avdagiç was born in 1959 in Zenica (Bosnia and Herzegovina). He started his primary education in Cologne (Germany) and completed his primary and secondary education in Istanbul. He graduated from Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in 1982 and completed the Istanbul University Business Administration Programme with honors in 1988. Mr. Avdagiç is still the CEO of a company operating in the automotive industry for over 50 years. In April 2018, Şekib Avdagiç was elected as the President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ICOC) Executive Board. Since January 2022, he serves as an Independent Member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines.  Mr. Avdagiç speaks English and Bosnian. He is married and has two children.

Mr. Avdagiç was one of the 12 founder members of The Independent Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association and took charge as the Association’s Vice President until 2000. In 1995 he was elected as a Member of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ICOC) Assembly and between 2005-2009 he served as the Member of the ICOC Executive Board. From 2009 to 2013 he served as the Vice President of ICOC. He has been elected as the Chairman of the ICOC Assembly in May 2013 and held this position until 2018. Between 2009 and 2011, Mr. Avdagiç served as the President of the Executive Council of the Istanbul 2010 - European Capital of Culture Agency. Between 2013-2019 Mr. Avdagiç served as the Chairman of the Turkish Composites Manufacturers Association.

In addition to these duties, Mr. Avdagiç serves as the Chairman of The Commercialization Center of Istanbul, The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Education and Social Services Foundation, The Tourism Development and Education Foundation, The Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau (ICVB) and The Istanbul World Trade Center. He is also the Vice President of the Board of Technopark Istanbul and Board Member of The Foreign Economic Relations Board, The Istanbul Development Agency and The Association of Automotive Parts and Components Manufacturers. Mr Avdagiç also serves as the Member of the Board of Trustees of Istanbul Commerce University, The International University of Sarajevo, The Prof. Fuat Sezgin Research Foundation for the History of Science in Islam, The Istanbul Technical University Development Foundation and The Academic, Foundation of Bosnia Sandžak Culture and History. He is also Member of the Advisory Board of Istanbul Technical University as well as Commission Member of the Council of Higher Education University - Industry Collaboration.

Tayfun Bayazıt

Marsh McLennan Group / Turkey & Bayazıt Management Consulting Services Ltd. Sti. - Chairman of the Board

After completion of his undergraduate studies on mechanical engineering in 1980, Tayfun Bayazıt holds an MBA on Finance and International Relations from Columbia University.

Bayazıt started his banking career at Citibank and later worked as Deputy CEO and Executive Board Member at Yapı Kredi Bank for 13 years under the Çukurova Group. He later served as CEO of Interbank and then CEO of Banque de Commerce et de Placement S.A. in Switzerland.

Having worked as Vice Chairman of the Executive Board Member at Doğan Holding and Executive Director of Dışbank in 1999, Bayazıt took on the position of CEO of Dışbank in 2001.

Bayazıt was later elected as the Chairman of the Board at Dışbank in 2003, and was later brought on as the CEO of Fortis Türkiye and as Member of the Fortis Global Management Committee in July 2005 after Fortis’ acquisition of Dışbank’s majority shares. He served as Chairman of the Board at Fortis Türkiye following the 2006 General Assembly.

Returning to Yapı Kredi as CEO in 2007, Bayazıt was elected as the Chairman of the Board in 2009. In 2011, Bayazıt left Yapı Kredi to establish “Bayazıt Management Consulting Services”, which he presides over to this day. In addition to his responsibilities as board member in various companies, Bayazıt actively works with sivil society organizations such as TUSIAD, Educational Volunteers Foundation of Turkey (TEGV), the Corporate Governance Association of Turkey (TKYD), WRI Turkey and Darüşşafaka.

Tom Chalmers

Managing Director at AvroKO

Tom Chalmers is the Managing Director of AvroKO, covering the EMEA region for the group and currently working on large scale sites for Six Senses, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Ritz Carlton Reserve, W Hotels, and several independent developers.

AvroKO has established a new paradigm in the hospitality industry, encompassing a multitude of disciplines while creating thoughtful and engaging architecture, brands, products, and environments. Since its launch in 2001, AvroKO has earned a reputation as one of the most innovative design firms in the field, with the group opening over a dozen company owned-and-operated restaurants, created a furniture and lighting company (Goodshop), and developed a separate branding and strategy division dedicated to projects of scale (Brand Bureau).

Over the last 20 years in the industry Tom has developed a broad understanding of commercial hospitality development through roles as both design director and client representative, collaborating extensively with developers, operators, and designers. Prior to rejoining AvroKO, Tom was the Director of Design and Experience at Edyn Development Studio (a Brookfield company). Tom led Edyn’s Hospitality Design team across 12 large scale European sites. Tom’s previous roles also include Director of Property Development for Standard International Management (owner and operator of The Standard Hotels in New York, Miami, LA, and London).

Thomas Emanuel

Director , STR

Thomas Emanuel is a Director at STR. He is based in London, and leads a team focused on driving business with Industry Partners.

He has spent his entire career in the hotel industry, beginning in 2000 with Miki Travel, before joining Hyatt Hotel & Resorts, where he gained experience in corporate sales at both the worldwide sales office and at property level. Thomas then led the corporate sales function for Hazlitt’s Hotels, a group of independent boutique hotels in London.

In 2006, Thomas joined the Deloitte HotelBenchmark team, where he was responsible for creating and leading the department’s business development function. He held this role until the formation of STR in March 2008, and has since focused on overseeing STR’s rapid expansion outside North America. Throughout his time with STR, Thomas has gained a wealth of experience working with hotels, investors, developers, consultants, banks, governments, destination management companies and many others.

Thomas has been a guest lecturer at Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, and been invited and participated in the OECD's high level meetings on tourism policies.

Travelling extensively, Thomas has worked in over 45 countries across 6 continents and regularly speaks at major hospitality conferences around the world. He is also frequently interviewed for his insights on the hotel industry by news outlets including CNN, Bloomberg, CNBC, as well as various tourism and hospitality publications.

Yasemin Develioğlu

CMO, Jolly Tur

2004 yılında Boğaziçi Üniversitesi İşletme bölümünden mezun olan Yasemin Develioğlu, pazarlama kariyerine Unilever Türkiye’de başladı. Ev temizlik ve kozmetik sektörlerinde Türkiye ve NAMET bölge sorumlulukları üstlendi. Bu süre zarfında İran, İsrail, Türkiye ve Kazakistan’da birçok marka ve ürün lansmanı gerçekleştirdi. 2012 yılında Coca Cola Türkiye Pazarlama müdürü olarak çalışmaya başladı. Bu süre zarfında gerçekleştirdiği projelerle hem Türkiye hem de globalde 10dan fazla Kristal Elma, Effie vb ödül kazandı. Türkiye Super Lig, Milli Takım, Euro Cup gibi dev sponsorluk projelerini yönetti. 2017 yılından bu yana Jolly CMO olarak çalışan Yasemin Develioğlu bu süreç içerisinde markanın yeniden yapılandırılmasında ve Jolly’nin çift haneli büyüme performansında kilit roller üstlendi. UNDP ile birlikte başlattıkları Mirasım Türkiye projesi ile Türkiye’de Sürdürülebilir Turizm bilincinin oluşturulması için çalışmalarına devam ediyor. 2019 ve 2022 yıllarında Türkiye’nin en etkin 50 CMOsu arasında seçilen Yasemin Develioğlu tüm iş yapış şekillerimizin değişmesi gerektiğine ve sürdürülebilirliğin tüm şirket ve kurumlar için ana mihenk taşı olması gerektiğine inanıyor.

Yavuz Ölken

Axa Insurance CEO

1966 İzmir doğumlu olan Sn. Yavuz Ölken 1989 yılında İstanbul Teknik Üniversitesi İnşaat Mühendisliği bölümünden mezun olmuştur.

1991 yılında Halk Sigorta (Yapı kredi Sigorta) da Risk Mühendisi olarak başlayan Sn. Ölken sırası ile İnter Sigorta ve Aviva Sigortada Teknik Departman Yöneticisi ve Teknik Departman Grup Yöneticisi görevlerini yürütmüştür.

2002 yılında Kurumsal ve Ticari Teknik Genel Müdür Yardımcısı olarak AXA Sigorta da çalışmaya başlayan Sn. Ölken zaman içerisinde IT & Operasyonel Mükemmellik, Ticari ve Kurumsal Riskler Satış Birimi, Reasürans, Risk Mühendisliği, Bireysel Teknik ve Sağlık departmanlarından da sorumlu olmuştur.

1 Nisan 2018 tarihi itibari ile Axa Sigorta CEO’su olarak atanmıştır.

Yiğit Sezgin

CCO, Accor

Lived around the globe in 8 cities during the last 25 years and held senior executive roles in multinational companies such as Hilton, Ritz Carlton and Radisson Hotel Group. In his last role as CEO of BLG Capital he managed a portfolio of luxury and lifestyle real estate and hospitality developments such as Aman Resorts, Peninsula Hotel, Soho House, W Istanbul, Ritz Carlton & Mandarin Oriental Residences, Galata Port. 

He holds a wide range of successful achievements and a proven track record especially in Emerging Markets with strong experience in M&A, integrations, leadership, strategic marketing, brand management, commercial performance and business development.

In his current role as the Chief Commercial Officer at Accor, he oversees a portfolio of 42 Brands in 41 countries in charge of all Commercial Functions, Mergers & Acquisitions, lifestyle platform and Integrations.

Yigit holds a Master’s Degree from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, from Bosphorus University in Istanbul.

Yulia Stepanova

Assistant Director, EBRD

Yulia Stepanova Associates Director and Senior Banker with EBRD Property & Tourism Team responsible for real estate financing in Turkey, Central Asia and Caucasus covering Debt financing and Equity investment projects. Yulia is based in EBRD London HQ but very familiar with Turkey market as she worked in Istanbul for 4 years.

Yolanda Perdomo

Global Tourism Strategist, ICF

Yolanda is an expert in sustainable destination management, product development, marketing, tourism intelligence, and governance, with over twenty years of professional experience in the tourism sector worldwide. She has worked in senior positions in both the public and private sectors. Prior to joining ICF, Yolanda served as Director of Affiliate Members for the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and as Deputy Minister of Tourism and CEO of the Tourism Board in Spain’s Canary Islands. She has also worked as an international advisor and consultant to the industry, in thirty countries, four continents, working with stakeholders at all levels (UN agencies, government bodies, private sector, SMEs, NGOs, communities, and academics). Yolanda designed and implemented UNWTO’s prototype methodology for sustainable product development on specialized segments, such as gastronomy, wine tourism, shopping, urban tourism, and projects to overcome seasonality. She has been involved in extensive research and publications activity and has been a keynote speaker and panelist at multiple national and international conferences. Yolanda has also been appointed as Strategy Advisor of Shinan County in South Korea by Governor Park Woo-ryang in April 2022.