Key skills and expertise

With 41 years of experience, the expert is adept in international consultancy, project management, and strategic leadership within agriculture, food safety, and pharmaceutical industries. Career highlights include leading projects with the EU, UNDP, and World Bank, emphasizing innovation, R&D, and sustainability. As a senior leader, the expert has driven business development, established manufacturing operations, and enhanced international market access. Responsibilities have included developing competitive strategies, implementing EU regulations, and fostering enterprise growth, resulting in successful market penetration and positioning Turkey as an export hub for infant food products.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving collaboration with international donors such as the EU, UNDP, ADB, APO, and the World Bank, engaging in international development cooperation projects. Involvement includes project implementation, technical assistance, evaluations, and capacity building across sectors like agriculture, food safety, and rural development. The projects have been regional and national in scope, with work conducted in various geographic locations, including Turkey, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, and China.

Sectors and geographic focus

The expert has worked across key sectors such as agriculture, food safety, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and rural development. Previously held roles such as international consultant, project manager, and advisor, overseeing business development, strategic planning, and regulatory compliance. Cross-cutting expertise includes digital transformation in agriculture and infrastructure development in rural settings. The geographic scope of work spans regional and country-specific projects in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, where initiatives have been led to enhance competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability in various industries.

Extensive geographic experience across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, with significant involvement in Turkey, Switzerland, Egypt, Lebanon, China, and Sri Lanka. The expert has demonstrated deep familiarity with regional development issues and local governance, particularly in Turkey, where numerous long-term assignments have been undertaken. Expertise extends to countries such as the UK, Germany, France, Russia, and Vietnam, where engagement in various international projects has fostered cultural understanding and contributed to regional development initiatives.

Languages and education

Bringing a robust linguistic capability, the expert is a native Turkish speaker and fluent in English, Azerbaijani, and Russian. Proficiency in French and Spanish is also demonstrated. These language skills have been utilized in various international contexts, including in-country work and collaboration with multilingual teams across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. This proficiency supports effective communication and project execution in diverse cultural and professional environments.

Background includes a Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences from Middle East Technical University, Turkey, and a Post MBA certification in Strategic Management for Executives at Marmara University, Turkey. Additional certifications encompass Digital Transformation in Business from Imperial College Business School, UK, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning from Stanford University, USA. Further specialization includes Climate Change and Sustainable Investing from EDHEC Business School, France, and Global Health from the University of Geneva, Switzerland.