With an impressive track record spanning over 25 years, Melek is a trailblazer in both the United States and Turkey. Her expertise extends beyond the realms of maximizing shareholder value, as she possesses a deep understanding of harnessing social capital for the greater good.

As the visionary Founder of the Turkish Women’s International Network (TurkishWIN), Melek has dedicated herself to realizing her extraordinary vision of the “Network For Change System.” Through digital platforms she has developed, she empowers women to forge meaningful careers they are passionate about. Recognized as a trusted thought leader in women’s empowerment, Melek has graced the stage as a TEDx speaker on five occasions. Additionally, her insights have been sought after by prestigious events and institutions including the Global Diaspora Summit, Financial Times Summit, Harvard Business Review Turkey, and the United Nations.

Melek’s calling revolves around helping leaders build transformative systems and communities. Drawing from her experiences at TurkishWIN, a vibrant network for change, she imparts invaluable wisdom and principles. Her teachings enable individuals and organizations to mobilize communities, leverage social capital, and drive impactful change on a global scale.

Prior to her remarkable endeavors at TurkishWIN, Melek played an integral role at Microsoft, where she contributed to the Global Startup Business Team and served as the Deputy General Manager for Microsoft Turkey, overseeing Developer and Platform Evangelism programs. Before returning to Turkey, she excelled as the President and Chief Operating Officer of hakia, a groundbreaking semantic technology company in New York, successfully securing $25 million in funding.

Melek’s passion for learning is unwavering, evident in her continuous pursuit of knowledge and her affiliation with TED. She is increasingly captivated by the concept of psychological safety and the power of unlearning. With an MBA from the prestigious Columbia Business School and a B.Sc. degree from the esteemed London School of Economics and Political Science, Melek’s academic achievements are a testament to her dedication. Notably, she takes pride in being a distinguished graduate of St. Georges-Kolleg in Istanbul.

Through her exceptional journey and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact, Melek’s story inspires us to embrace change, foster inclusive communities, and constantly seek growth and transformation.