Gürbüz SALMAN, Chairman – SOC’89
I have pursued a 30-year banking career, holding various positions from Transactional Services to Information Technology and Information Security from 1988 until 2018. I started being active in the Wines and Spirits Industry in the Netherlands and am also involved with a small vineyard in Turkey where I grow grapes and olives. I received Level 1 & 2 certificates from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust via Eleanor Wine Academy in Amsterdam in 2022 and 2023, respectively. I have been living in the Netherlands since 2001. I enjoy jogging, walking, reading, and exploring good food.
Elif CELIK, General Secretary – BA’13
I am a passionate lecturer, researcher, and coach in Technology-based entrepreneurship. I am currently working at the Delft Centre for Entrepreneurship. Additionally, I serve as an external consultant on projects related to entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems. I have been residing in the Netherlands since 2019, first in Amsterdam and then Delft. I love dancing Lindy Hop, cycling, and traveling.
Sibel MISIR, Treasurer – MATH’93
I am an information technology professional with experience in international environments. I have gained business experience across various sectors, including banking, retail, and logistics. I have been living in the Netherlands since 2000. I am a mother of two kids. I enjoy playing basketball, traveling, and attending cinema and concerts.
Özden KARADABAN DEMİRÖZ, Communication and Social Media Committee – ARCH’15
I have spent the past nine years working as an architect on numerous airport and multifunctional building projects, with a focus on BIM. I relocated to the Netherlands in 2020. I am an art enthusiast who enjoys traveling, immersing myself in new cultures, photography, and nature.
Dr. Orhan KAHYA, Member Relations Committee – PHYS`09
I obtained my PhD in Physics from the National University of Singapore. I worked in various positions at Philips R&D for 9 years. I am currently employed by Thermo Fisher Scientific as a System Architect, focusing on developing optical modules for Transmission Electron Microscopes. I have been living in the Netherlands since 2018 and enjoy spending time with my two daughters.
Haluk AKALIN, Fundraising and Scholarship Committee – MAN`91
I have accumulated 18 years of experience in banking, including inspection and branch management roles. I have been residing in the Netherlands since 2014 and am currently employed as a manufacturing operator at a pharmaceutical company in Leiden. I am a father to a daughter and enjoy all kinds of outdoor sports, having recently engaged in triathlon and snowboarding.
Tahsin GUNALTAY – External Relations Committee– CENG`88
I have been living and working in the Netherlands since 1989. I spent over 20 years working for international companies as an IT Specialist before becoming an entrepreneur. I own a business in Real Estate Management and Consultancy. I live in Uithoorn with my wife and 12-year-old daughter.
Ozge ASCIOGLU, Audit & Ethics Committee – ADM’ 95
I have been working in internal audit, compliance, and risk management for nearly thirty years across finance, telecom, energy, and manufacturing industries globally. I am currently the compliance director for Cimpor Global Holding BV. I have lived in Amersfoort with my wife and daughter since 2018. I enjoy playing tennis, reading books, and listening to podcasts.
Tugberk SAMUR, Events and Social Activities Committee – IR´2020
After completing my bachelor’s degree, I was awarded a master’s degree scholarship by the European Union to study in the Netherlands. In 2022, I graduated from the European Studies Master’s program at the University of Amsterdam. Thereafter, I focused on sustainability and gained work experience at the UN Global Compact. Since 2024, I have been involved in commercial activities related to the hazelnut value chain, aiming to make it more sustainable. Known as a ‘newspaper on foot’ as a child, I have always harbored a deep curiosity and passion for reading and learning.