Aspire Türkiye had the honor of hosting Meena Sonea, CEO of Aspire Institute, for an inspiring two-day visit filled with strategic discussions, meaningful connections, and an unforgettable workshop. Though brief, her time in Türkiye was impactful, marking an important milestone in the establishment of the Aspire Türkiye Foundry and deepening the engagement of Aspire Leaders Program learners and alumni.
A Warm Welcome: Dinner with Founding Members
Sonea’s visit began with an intimate dinner with some of the Aspire Türkiye’s founding members. During this meal, they engaged in deep discussions about the vision for Aspire Türkiye and its potential impact on young leaders. They outlined next steps needed to build a thriving community. This dinner reinforced their shared commitment to fostering leadership opportunities in Türkiye.
Strategic Meetings and Leadership Conversations
On the next day, Sonea met with founding members of the Türkiye Foundry and the Country Director, Oyku Gursu, at the Aspire Türkiye office. They discussed a roadmap for the future. These strategic conversations focused on defining the Foundry’s mission, aligning with Aspire Institute’s global goals, and ensuring long-term sustainability.
The team shared their vision for building a strong Aspire community in Türkiye with enthusiasm and purpose.
One-on-One Leadership Guidance for Alumni
Sonea held individual conversations with Aspire Leaders Program alumni. During these discussions, she offered strategic advice about contributing to Aspire’s growing impact in Türkiye and listened to their updates. she learned what they have been working on, their challenges, and their aspirations—while also discussing how the Aspire Türkiye Foundry could support them in their leadership journeys.
Additionally, these sessions allowed leaders to ask questions, gain clarity, and feel more connected to Aspire’s broader mission.
Workshop Explores Service and Self-Discovery with Aspire Institute CEO
One of the highlights of Sonea’s visit was the “Finding Your Light: Stewardship, Service, and Self-discovery” workshop, held at the Aspire Türkiye office with 20 participants. The session provided a space for Aspire Leaders Program alumni to reflect on their personal journeys, explore their leadership potential, and share their own stories.
Sonea guided participants through thought-provoking discussions on service-oriented leadership and self-discovery. Leaders also spoke openly about their aspirations and the challenges they face. Many found inspiration in their peers’ experiences and gained clarity about their unique strengths and purpose.
The atmosphere was filled with excitement as Aspire Leaders Program alumni shared their enthusiasm for the establishment of the Türkiye Foundry. Many realized they were joining a movement that would empower future generations of leaders in Türkiye.
Aspire Türkiye Builds Momentum for the Future
Though this visit lasted only two days, its impact will be long-lasting. The Aspire Türkiye Foundry now has a clear direction and a committed community of leaders. Sonea’s presence reinforced the importance of Aspire’s work in Türkiye and sparked new ideas for next steps in the Foundry’s journey.
Aspire Türkiye will continue to build a thriving leadership community driven by stewardship, service, and self-discovery values. The momentum from this visit will fuel its growth throughout the region.
