The UK Launch of the Woman in Technology Association and the Global Turks par Excellence Project took place under the leadership of the Domestic and International Cooperations Committee of the Woman in Technology Association on November 2, 2023, at the London office of Meta, a Board Member of the Woman in Technology Association. The event, “EmpowHER: Igniting Women’s Leadership in the Tech World,” brought together more than 300 industry professionals, uniting Turks in the UK under one roof.
The sessions at the event covered topics such as the role of women in technology, leadership in the science and technology sectors, and featured valuable speakers. Keynote speeches were delivered by Vice President of Meta United Kingdom, Northern Europe, Middle East, and Africa, and Advisory Board Member of Woman in Technology Association, Derya Matraş; the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye in London, Osman Koray Ertaş; Director of Overseas Offices Unit at the Presidency Investment Office of the Republic of Türkiye Yasemin Esenlik; and Director of the NATO Innovation Fund, Ebru Dorman.
The opening speeches of the event were given by Founding President of the Woman in Technology Association, Zehra Öney; Meta Türkiye Country Director and Board Member of the Woman in Technology Association, İlke Toptaş; and Creator and Leader of the Global Turks par Excellence Project, and Advisory Board Member of the Woman in Technology Association Ayşegül Dicle Aydın. The speakers emphasized the importance of women’s leadership in the world of technology and highlighted that the event is a significant step in creating a global network for Turkish leaders.
The Woman in Technology Panel featured Digital Products and Services Leader at Ford Otosan and Vice President of the Board of the Woman in Technology Association, Hayriye Karadeniz; Eastern Europe Regional President at Mastercard and Vice President of the Board of the Woman in Technology Association Yasemin Bedir; Co-Founder & CEO of OBSS, and a Corporate Member of the Woman in Technology Association, Zafer Şen; Deputy General Manager of YTÜ Yıldız Technopark and a Corporate Member of the Woman in Technology Association, İsa Turgut İnci. The panel, moderated by Zehra Öney, discussed the association’s activities since 2019, its current initiatives in Türkiye, and expansion plans on the global stage.
The Global Turks par Excellence Panel, moderated by Ayşegül Dicle Aydın, featured Founding Partner of Ludus Venture Capital and Advisory Board Member of Woman in Technology Association, Volkan Biçer; Vice President of Castrol, Ömer Dormen; Founder and CEO of Globalturk Capital, a member of the GPCA Middle East and Europe Leadership Council, and Advisory Board Member of Woman in Technology Association Barış Öney.
