When I left Turkey to study economics at the University of Chicago, I knew that my native country lacked the venture investing ecosystem that could have helped my entrepreneur parents build their technology company. She decided to help change that by becoming an investor, focusing on underserved regions and countries.

I began my career in tech investment banking at Merrill Lynch in New York, later moving to the investing side with the global growth fund TA Associates in London. There, I learned how to build trust with entrepreneurs from varied backgrounds and nationalities, many of whom had not previously considered venture capital or private equity to support their growth. While obtaining my MBA at Harvard, I recognized the importance of operating experience to support entrepreneurs. I joined the product team at the cross-border payments company WorldRemit, where I experienced how fintech enabled emerging economies in Africa to leapfrog conventional banking systems.

My focus areas include fintech and technology. While Europe is my base, I work with early-stage companies globally, particularly in emerging markets.

Away from work, I am involved with CISV International, a UNESCO organization that brings together children from different nationalities to develop cultural understanding. I am also a big lover of open-water swimming and kitesurfing.