Let’s start with your story. Where did you grow up, and how did your upbringing shape who you are today?
I was born in Samsun. Because my father was a military officer, I grew up and studied in different cities across our beautiful country. At the age of 12, we moved as a family to Istanbul following my father’s assignment, where my grandparents had lived and where we used to spend our summer holidays, and I still live in Istanbul today.
Growing up this way gave me the ability to adapt quickly to different environments and circumstances, and to communicate easily with people while understanding different perspectives. I started and completed primary and middle school in different cities. I finished high school in Istanbul and completed my university education at Dokuz Eylül University in Izmir. I am an industrial engineer. After completing my master’s degrees in marketing and international trade/logistics, I finalized my PhD in business administration just last month.
What drew you to aviation? Was there a specific moment or influence that sparked your interest?
During my university years, a company where I completed my internship in Istanbul invited me for a job interview after graduation. While that interview process was ongoing, Turkish Airlines announced an open recruitment exam, and I decided to apply.
After two months and five separate written and oral examinations, I still vividly remember jumping with joy when I received the phone call informing me that I had been accepted.
Was there a moment when you thought, “I’ve made it”? If so, what did it feel like?
Rather than a single defining “I made it” moment, my career has been marked by several milestones. Being accepted into Turkish Airlines, receiving my first promotion after five years, participating in countless projects and managerial roles within such a major aviation institution, transitioning to the private sector, and progressing step by step, each of these moments has been deeply meaningful to me.
Which woman in a leadership position has had a significant impact on you, and why?
During my entry process into Turkish Airlines, I was informed that the final interview would be conducted by Deputy General Manager Sevgi Gümüştekin. I walked into the meeting calm and confident, after all, I had successfully passed the previous four stages, but I walked out with my hands trembling.
At first, I perceived her as a very strict leader. Over time, however, I came to know her as a highly instructive and protective manager, and that is still how I remember her today.
What advice would you give to women trying to build a successful career while balancing work and personal life in a demanding sector like aviation?
When I started my career, there were experienced female managers in the sector. Their support and their ability to manage this demanding environment gave me the courage to move forward.
Aviation requires far more travel compared to many other industries. I have two children with special needs, and my spouse also travels frequently due to his job. While it hasn’t always been easy, we managed to overcome these challenges together.
I truly believe that real motivation comes from focusing on solutions rather than difficulties, and from making an effort instead of complaining. Being a woman is not easy, not only in aviation, but in any sector. If I were to give just one piece of advice, careers will have inevitable ups and downs, but choosing the right life partner can make overcoming obstacles much easier.
What has been your most unforgettable experience in aviation?
Aviation is one of the fastest-evolving industries. At Turkish Airlines, I experienced both eras, times when we saved files on floppy disks to present them to managers, and later periods when decision-support systems were acquired, and planning and system integrations could be executed incredibly fast.
Later, when I had the opportunity to work on a TÜBİTAK-supported project in the private sector, and during the transformation processes I led as a Deputy General Manager, my earlier experiences guided me significantly.
Choosing a single unforgettable moment may feel unfair to the many turning points in my career, but one experience that stands out was my involvement in the Antalya Airport Capacity Assessment Project. After completing the study together with DGCA and DHMI officials, the airport’s capacity was officially increased by IATA, making it possible for Antalya to accommodate more tourists.
What changes would you like to see in aviation today or in the future?
First and foremost, I would like to see more women in leadership positions across the sector. By nature, women are resilient; we are capable of managing multiple environments simultaneously, home, work, and family, while making quick and effective decisions when needed.
Aviation is an industry where errors, big or small, are rarely tolerated. At the same time, it is one of the most globally connected sectors, where distances are crossed rapidly, change is inevitable, crises can occur instantly, teamwork is essential, and flexible decision-making is critical.
When all these needs come together, I hope we will continue to witness many domestic airlines that succeed against global competitors by employing well-trained, competent professionals who feel a strong sense of belonging and remain open to continuous development.