Team
Duygu Vatan has a degree in the bachelors of Business Administration with a minor degree in Product Design and a master’s degree in Industrial Design with a research subject on design for social innovation in rural economies. Her studies specialize in blending the strengths of creative disciplines into the field of social innovation. She has professional experience working in the creative industries through Joon, a capacity-building platform for creative communities. Ms. Vatan founded Joon in 2016 and developed and ran design and brand support programmes for disadvantaged creative communities in collaboration with various designers in Turkey. Joon has also an online shop and is involved in several global marketplaces. Through her work in Joon, she has a strong understanding of and practices the creative economy, including knowledge of key trends and developments within the sector, as well as an understanding of the various business models and revenue streams used by creative companies. The support programmes of Joon, include various creative disciplines and sectors, such as advertising, design, fashion, and filming. Running a creative social enterprise Duygu follows relevant policies, regulations, and funding opportunities related to the creative economy. Duygu provides training to creative communities in market research, strategic planning, and business development within the creative industries.
Berivan Eliş has cross-sectoral experience in social development, social innovation and social entrepreneurship. She is a co-founder of Impact Hub Ankara. She founded İstasyonTEDÜ TED University Social Innovation Center and served as its manager for five years between 2016-2021. She has worked in the fields of youth, accessibility, gender and human security at the European Union Delegation to Turkey, UNDP, Bilkent University and the Community Volunteers Foundation. Berivan Eliş took part as a researcher and coordinator in the reporting and mapping studies on the state of social enterprises and social entrepreneurship ecosystems in Turkey, Jordan and Azerbaijan. She managed the design, implementation and evaluation processes of many support and capacity building programmes for civil society actors, social enterprises and impact initiatives. She works within the Turkey Social Entrepreneurship Network (TSGA) to develop evidence-based and inclusive policies in the field of social entrepreneurship in Turkey. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Ankara University, Faculty of Political Sciences, Department of International Relations, and a master’s degree from Bilkent University, Department of International Relations.
Murat Çitilgülü, who holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Bilkent University, commenced his career in the human development team at UNDP Turkey. He actively contributed to the preparation of the “Youth Report,” the recommendations and findings of which were translated into projects by various public and private sector organizations. Following six years of work in the Undersecretariat of Foreign Trade (now the Ministry of Trade), specializing in international development and trade diplomacy, he transitioned to the UNDP Global Private Sector Unit located in Istanbul. Within this unit, he engaged in research and executed implementation projects related to inclusive economies and business models across various countries worldwide. Collaborating with public institutions, multinational companies, and international organizations like the G-20, World Bank, and OECD, he played a pivotal role in the development of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Murat Çitilgülü, who also participated in the coordination of media relations, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility activities at ING Turkey, served as the General Manager of the Community Volunteers Foundation from 2018 to 2021. Since August 2021, he has been one of the co-founders of Impact Hub Ankara.
Zehra Düzgün holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Anadolu University. She embarked on her career in sales within the insurance and finance sector, amassing 9 years of experience at both Yapı Kredi and Allianz Turkey. During her professional journey, she honed her skills and held positions as an expert and manager in various private sector organizations. Starting in January 2023, she has taken on the role of Sales Manager within the Impact Hub Ankara team.
Mızgin Öykü Çalağan obtained her bachelor’s degree in American Culture and Literature from Bilkent University. During her time at the university, she interned in the communication department of the Civil Society Development Centre (CSDC) and contributed by offering translation support. Following her graduation, she maintained her role as a translator. Additionally, she actively engages in volunteer activities with the Women’s Solidarity Foundation. Currently, she holds the position of Programme Assistant within the Impact Hub Ankara team.
Zeynep Eliş earned her bachelor’s degree from the METU Department of Urban and Regional Planning. She has accumulated experience working at the TMMOB Chamber of City Planners, Çankaya Municipality, and various international projects in the domains of inclusion, participatory urban planning, and participatory design. In the realm of civil society, she has been actively engaged in urban rights advocacy, promoting gender equality, and designing participatory processes. As part of an international training program led by the Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy, she contributed to a project team dedicated to developing a local-level participatory model. Additionally, she redirected her focus towards social impact and social innovation through the Data Science for Social Good training program organized by TED University. Subsequently, she began participating in projects related to social welfare and inclusion. Zeynep Eliş joined the Social Innovation Initiative Association in February 2023 and currently holds the position of Project Coordinator within the Impact Hub Ankara team.
Pelin Kalkanoğlu graduated from Bilkent University with a degree in Computer Technologies and Office Management. She commenced her career as an Academic Specialist in the same department where she obtained her degree and delivered various lectures to vocational school students for 11 years. Following this, she spent 2 years as an Assistant to the Deputy General Manager at the Ankara Patent Office. Since 2013, she has been volunteering with the Career Committee of the Turkish Education Association. In 2014, she established the TED University Career Centre and served as its manager for 8 years. As of 2023, Pelin Kalkanoğlu is currently a member of the Support and Advisory Circle at Impact Hub Ankara.
