TEDxETU

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Ali Eren BALIKEL

  Entrepreneur | Lecturer | Book Writer | Editor in Chief

  Ali Eren Balıkel is an entrepreneur and business leader operating in the F&B sector in London, where he owns multiple companies and provides consultancy to businesses across various service industries. He was awarded “Businessman of the Year” in the UK in 2014 and in Azerbaijan in 2023. After beginning his academic journey with language education in the UK, he completed his undergraduate studies, two master’s degrees, and a PhD. He also continues academic work at Istanbul Kent University in entrepreneurship, leadership, and sustainability. Balıkel is the founder of Kilikya’s, a restaurant brand that evolved from an academic project into a recognized Mediterranean gastronomy experience. Despite pandemic challenges, he expanded his ventures and continues to manage Kilikya’s Gastro and Grand Bazaar in London.

• Ayşen Özgentaş

  Entrepreneur / Mentor

  Ayşen Özgentaş was born in 1978 in Denizli. Her passion for exploring the sky led her to study Astronomy and Space Sciences at Ankara University at the age of 17. Despite being accepted to a university in the United States, she chose to stay in Turkey and build her own path. She worked at TÜBİTAK for 15 years in media and communication roles before leaving her corporate career to found her own restaurant brand, which she successfully managed for nine years. During the pandemic, she transformed her career and moved into e-commerce, achieving international success through continuous learning and leadership development. An ICF-accredited professional coach, she inspires others through training in leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal transformation. She currently lives in Bodrum.

• Begüm KOCAEFE

  Learning Experience Designer & Communication Expert

  Begüm Kocaefe is the founder of İncir Akademi and a learning experience designer. Through her work in communication and learning, she focuses on transforming how individuals and organizations think, learn, and interact. In her trainings, she aims not only to transfer knowledge but to create meaning and lasting impact. Through projects across different sectors, she designs experiences that turn learning into a meaningful and engaging process.

• Ceyda Çengelköylü

  Expert Psychologist & Educator & Entrepreneur

  Ceyda Çengelköylü is an expert psychologist, educator, and social impact entrepreneur who blends psychology with civil society experience and entrepreneurship. After earning her BA in Psychology from Okan University and an MA in Developmental Psychology from Maltepe University, she worked with NGOs such as TOÇEV and ÖRAV. Across Turkey, she supported disadvantaged children’s psychosocial development—from prisons to rural areas—and led evidence-based programs for teachers as a trainer and field coordinator, promoting equal opportunity in education. Through her venture Gelişim Noktası, she develops multidisciplinary solutions for employee well-being. With FirmaCV, she advances transparency and talent development in business; with HiTerapi, she improves access to psychological support. In her TEDx talk “A Child in Prison, a Teenage Shepherd, and a Psychologist,” she shared real stories on psychology’s role in social change.

• Fırat UZER

  Futurist – Family Counselor – Trainer – Sociologist – Author

  Fırat Uzer was born on April 22, 1973, in Istanbul. After losing his mother at 17, he shaped his life through education and professional growth, later moving to Adana at 35. He holds degrees in Business Administration, Health Management, Psychology, Sociology, and more, with master’s studies in Psychology and Business Administration, and continues his education today. With over 22 years of experience in the healthcare sector, including 19 years in senior management, he has worked with leading institutions such as Acıbadem, Medicana, and International Hospital. He is also a certified trainer, coach, and family counselor, delivering seminars across Turkey on personal development, communication, and motivation. A TEDx speaker and author of “Leave a You for the Future” (2022), Uzer focuses on inspiring young people to take action and shape their future.

• Gökhan TATAR

  Business adviser, Educator/Teacher, Engineer, Entrepreneur, Idea generator, Startup, Technologist

  In Summary for About Gokhan TATAR; Cybersecurity isn’t just my profession—it’s the driving force behind every innovation, strategy, and business I’ve built. With over 20 years of experience, I’ve combined technical expertise, AI-driven cybersecurity, and business leadership to create market-defining security solutions and scale companies globally. I specialize in building and leading high-growth cybersecurity businesses, securing multimillion-dollar investments, and developing AI-integrated security solutions that protect enterprises across EMEA and the UK. My work has been recognized with Microsoft MVP and SentinelOne PreSales MVP awards, and I’ve contributed extensively to the industry through keynotes, articles, and technical content, reaching hundreds of thousands of professionals worldwide.

• Hayrullah ŞEVİK

  Co-Founder of FAM2 Production & Lemonade Turkish Comedy Club

  Hayrullah Şevik was born in 1994 in Bursa, Turkey, to a family that migrated from Kardzhali, Bulgaria. He gained early recognition for his entrepreneurial mindset by winning an innovation award in 2014. After graduating in Business Administration from Uludağ University, he moved to the UK to learn English, gaining both language skills and a global perspective. After early corporate experience, he pursued entrepreneurship and is now Co-Founder of FAM2 Production and Lemonade Turkish Comedy Club, a London-based platform spreading Turkish stand-up across Europe. He focuses on creating opportunities for new performers and building a dynamic comedy network. Through culture, art, and humor, Şevik aims to bring people together and highlight the power of creativity. His journey reflects courage, production, and the belief that “if you smile at life, life smiles back at you.”

• Selin DURU

  Agency Director / Founder of Dumatech

  Selin Duru is an entrepreneur specializing in software, digital marketing, and personal branding, who also empowers individuals and brands through her professional coaching practice. Through her company, Dumatech, she provides not only visibility but also sustainable growth and strategic positioning for brands. With active involvement in professional associations and a strong commitment to continuous development, she closely follows global trends and integrates them into her work. Through trainings, seminars, and high-engagement content, she both educates and inspires, standing out as a transformation leader in the business world. By combining technology, human psychology, and marketing, she brings a strong vision and strategic perspective to everything she does.

• Yenal YILDIRIM

  Civil Defense Specialist at Uşak University

  Yenal Yıldırım was born in 1978 in Uşak, Turkey. He graduated from the Electrical Department of Istanbul University Technical Sciences Vocational School and worked on sound and lighting systems early in his career. Between 2002 and 2017, he held managerial roles in marketing, R&D, and procurement, and experienced two unsuccessful entrepreneurial attempts. In 2017, he joined Uşak University as a public employee and began working as a sound and lighting technician. He later completed his undergraduate degree and earned a master’s in Distance Education from Anadolu University. As a Type 1 diabetic, he raises awareness by climbing high-altitude summits and inspiring others. He serves as a Civil Defense Specialist at Uşak University and is an official AFAD Disaster Awareness Trainer specializing in gamification and game-based learning.

• Yunus DALGIÇ

  Producer

  Yunus Dalgıç is a London-based producer and entrepreneur. He sees production as a way to bring people together and create spaces where individuals can realize their potential. Originally from Elazığ and born in Mersin, he began his career in journalism in Turkey before moving into digital content creation. After relocating to the UK, he launched one of the early Turkish-language YouTube initiatives. As a co-founder of FAM2 Production and Lemonade, London’s first Turkish stand-up comedy club, he develops projects across content creation, event production, and strategic communication. He dedicates his achievements to his sister, who passed away in 2024. In his TEDx talk, he focuses on turning ideas into reality and the power of creation.