ÖZLEM AKGÜN EŞMELER

Esas Sosyal Director

Serving as Esas Sosyal Director, Özlem Akgün Eşmeler is responsible for developing Esas Sosyal programs and managing corporate communications and corporate relations.

Akgün Eşmeler has 15 years experience in Human Resources in a spesific focus on Learning and Development, Talent Development and Career Management. Between 2010-2019, she served for Yapı Kredi Bank and took significant role in Strategic Human Resources, Yapı Kredi Banking Academy activities and served as L&D consultant for Koç Holding and Unicredit CEE Region countries. Prior to that, she had experience in Akbank and Garanti Bank taking responsiblities esteblishing and implementing L&D projects.

During her last position as Learning and Development Manager at İstek Group Companies, she restructured L&D policy and functions.

Özlem Akgün Eşmeler has received her first B.S degree in Public Administration and second degree in Labor Economics and Endustrial Relations from İstanbul University.

FİLİZ BİKMEN

Senior Advisor

More than 20 years of experience in philanthropy and social investment, in Turkey and globally. Served as Founding Director of Esas Sosyal between 2015-2020 and continues as a Senior Advisor. Also serves as Senior Advisor to EMpower Emerging Markets Foundation and provides consulting on various international social investment initiatives. Member of editorial Board member of Alliance Magazine. Formerly part of senior management of Sabanci Foundation and Third Sector Foundation of Turkey , served on Boards of European Foundation Center, International Center for Not for Profit Law (Chair). Former management consultant at global firms including UBS, Andersen Consulting and Citibank. Awards include Richard von Weizscaker Fellow/Bosch Foundation, Emerging Leaders Fellow / Graduate Center. Author of more than 30 publications, most recently: ‘Philanthropy Networks: Creating Value, Voice and Collective Impact’ (WINGS, 2020) and ‘More than the Sum of its Parts: Insights on the Future of European Philanthropy and Social Investment Infrastructure’ (Wider Sense, 2019). Masters in Social and Organizational Psychology  from Columbia University.

ECE AKYEL

Program Development Specialist

Ece Akyel earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Dokuz Eylul University in 2015. She has took the first step in the area of Civil Society as a TEGV volunteer for 4 years. After graduation, she started her career in civil society and humanitarian.  She worked as a “Social Worker” for İzmir “Sustainable Life Center" project, which was supported by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. Then, she worked as an “Activity Officer” resposible for creating and implementing social projects for young people. Finally, she worked for "My Future Youth Centre" projects  ensuring young people have access to sustainable employement that suits their talents and skills. She also completed her master's degree in Maltepe University, Department of Sociology, in the sociology of work on the white-collar working group. She joined the Esas Social team in August 2021.

YİĞİT GÜRBÜZ

Corporate Communications Specialist

Yiğit Gürbüz started his career in 2017 as a Corporate Communications Officer at AÇEV as a participant in the Esas Social First Opportunity Program. After 2 years of experience in AÇEV, Gürbüz worked for Coşkunöz Holding as Corporate Communications Officer for about 2 years. As of October 2020, he has joined the Esas Sosyal team as a Corporate Communications Specialist. Yiğit Gürbüz graduated from Akdeniz University Public Relations Department. Preparing projects for various communication competitions in his university life, he received 3 awards with his successful projects.