What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has been involved in?

I have led and managed the legal due diligence process for the acquisition of a bank from the tender process to closure, individually, end to end. Additionally, I have been part of teams engaged in initiatives aimed at the development of our country’s economy by providing guarantee support for the credits used by exporters. We have successfully implemented the legal structure of high-volume support packages for the financing of women exporters, as well as green transformation and sustainable exports finance.

Furthermore, we have carried out the entire legal process of implementing an important project called “The Credit Guarantee Portal,” which is an innovative platform that utilises data and advanced technology to facilitate exporters’ access to financing under the most favourable conditions.

The challenges posed by the evolving banking and finance sector, compounded by the lagging legislation, have compelled proactive measures from both myself and my colleagues in our respective roles. Collaborating across diverse disciplines as a team has broadened my horizons and enriched my professional vision. Leveraging my past experiences, I am currently engaged in teams pioneering the innovation of new financial products and financial technology projects.

What strategic priorities are guiding you and your team in 2024?

The strategic priorities for 2024 include establishing a sustainable legal support structure for the company. This involves creating procedures for conducting legal processes and aligning departments with these procedures. Furthermore, supporting the departments through periodic trainings and documenting the results of these procedures. Additionally, reflecting on the recently enacted legislation, including but not limited to the Law on Personal Data Protection, Law on Bankruptcy and Enforcement, and Civil Code. Moreover, contributing to a more agile workflow between legal and other departments in the company is paramount, ensuring their compliance with both domestic and international rules.

Do you have a cause, business-related or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

I consider gender equality to be one of the most vital principles that should be upheld in both the workplace of my country and on a global scale. This principle has served as a guiding light for various decisions I have made throughout my career. Recently, I became a part of the Board Membership, Mentoring, and Development Program at the Turkey Corporate Governance Association for executives, where exceptional professionals are dedicated to finding solutions and promoting women’s participation as board members in companies.

Furthermore, the quote by Alvin Toffler, ‘The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn,’ deeply resonates with me as my guiding philosophy. In line with this ethos, I am currently pursuing doctoral studies at İstanbul University Faculty of Law, focusing on the complexities of receivables pledge. This endeavour reflects my commitment to continuous learning, adaptation, and growth in the legal field.

Poetry is also a personal passion of mine, influenced by the poems I heard from my grandfather, especially those from my great uncle’s poetry book titled “Mefkure”. A particular poem titled ‘You and Turkish Women’ from this book emphasised the power of women. Both the concept of female power and the harmony found in poetry have guided my career as I strive to achieve a similar balance even in the most intricate areas of legal practice.