About Me

From a young age, I've been intrigued by people, their motivations, dreams, and the dynamics of relationships. I've always felt a deep-seated desire to enact positive change and contribute to making the world a better place. Growing up in a society where women faced limitations compared to men, I developed a strong appreciation for values like courage, compassion, equity and independence. I also came to understand the significance of integrity, openness, genuine connections, expressing myself with art and the power of humour in navigating challenges, bringing a sense of levity to even the most difficult situations.

Despite my inner desires, I opted for the “safe route” and pursued a degree in economics in Istanbul. I began my career in banking in the same city, but after three years, I decided to take a leap and pursue an MBA in International Management in Barcelona, marking my first attempt to shift my career trajectory. This decision opened up new opportunities when I relocated to Amsterdam to work at Credit Europe Bank in 2007. There, I began working at with international teams and clients, travelling to various corners of the globe, and immersing myself in diverse cultures while experiencing several financial crisis requiring strategic thinking, strong communication skills, resilience and adaptability to deal with the pressure to be able to respond to the changing market dynamics and regulations. 

In 2018, after 15 years, I made the bold decision to leave my banking career behind and transitioned to working at RSM, a Dutch consultancy firm that is a member of an international network, where I joined a team specialized in combating financial economic crime. I assumed the role of director, overseeing team management, strategy development, and commercial activities. This opportunity allowed me to apply my existing skills in a completely different context, managing entirely new challenges that were further compounded with the Covid -19 pandemic.

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While I found satisfaction in the dynamic environment of the corporate life, I couldn't shake the feeling that something essential was missing. My life went through a profound transformation, when I welcomed my two beautiful and inspiring daughters into the world, beginning in 2013. While they brought immense love and joy into my life, they also presented the challenge of balancing work and family. Ultimately, I realized that my professional pursuits weren't fully aligned with my deep-seated purpose of contributing to a better world and fulfilling my vision of the person and mother I aspire to be. My desire for change became even more pronounced after experiencing a severe burnout surfaced with long-term Covid.

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This unexpected pause allowed me to slow down and discover what I truly want. In 2023, I found the courage to conclude my corporate career to become an executive coach to support professionals facing similar challenges I went through as a professional, expat and a mother with a career. Finally connecting with my purpose, changing the world by enabling people to better understand their inner worlds, make choices accordingly and transform into their authentic selves brings me the incomparable sense of joy, satisfaction and gratitude like I have never experienced before. My corporate background now serves my purpose by enabling me to work with a sense of professionalism, relate to the corporate environment, and easily understand business acumen. I also cherish the contentment of being there with and for my daughters in their journey of discovering themselves and relish moments of connecting with myself through painting, ceramics and spending more time in nature!