Aspire Institute’s CEO, Meena Sonea, recently visited Istanbul, Turkey, where we soon hope to establish a Turkey Foundry. We continue to grow our community of Aspire Leaders Program (ALP) participants, faculty advisors, and supporters across the country. At an event hosted by Özlem Denizmen, a prominent Turkish businesswoman and entrepreneur, over 35 ALP alumni and special guests, including notable people in the fields of politics, finance, economics, and engineering gathered with Meena Sonea and Middle East Regional Faculty Advisor and Professor of Economics at Boston College, Can Erbil.
This interactive session offered alumni a unique opportunity to engage with our CEO and industry leaders, gain valuable perspectives, and learn about current advancements in various fields. ALP alumni shared their stories from growing up to attending college. They also spoke about the prospect of an Aspire Turkey Foundry and continued opportunities for networking and professional growth.
“My favorite moment of the event was meeting [Meena] Sonea in person and also seeing Prof. Erbil again,” Baran Örnek, a 2022 Aspire Leaders Program alumnus, reflected. “I had met Prof. Erbil last January, and seeing him once more felt truly heartwarming.”
Extended Leadership Opportunities in Turkey
Aspire Institute CEO, Meena Sonea, discussed the intention to establish a Turkey Foundry, explaining how this would include local mentorship and internship opportunities for ALP alumni. Over the past two years, an increasing number of young leaders from Turkey have joined the ALP community. The Foundry will foster ongoing professional development, addressing the importance of social capital and economic mobility among first-generation university students.
“Talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not,” Erbil emphasized.
Building Connections
The in-person gathering bridged generations of ALP alumni, creating a space for expanding connections and perspectives. Newer members learned about Extended Leadership Programs, such as the STEAM Fellowship – experienced by 2024 ALP alumna, Nisa Turgut – and the Community Action Award that helped Şeyma Kara, a 2020 ALP alumna, establish the EaseTogether platform.
These inspiring stories and future plans roused hope and ambition among everyone present.
“No matter where I’m from or what I believe, Aspire showed me that opportunities are all around,” Hamza Khan, a 2023 Aspire Leaders Program alumnus, said.
This feeling resonated with the crowd. When asked to describe the impact Aspire Institute has had on them, alumni attendees enthusiastically responded with words like “courage,” “hope,” “doing the best with surrounding resources,” “vision,” “community,” “leadership,” and “freedom.”
Universities rarely recognize first-generation university students in Turkey, but the Aspire Leaders Program stands out by nurturing peer-to-peer networks and connections. This acknowledgment of generational background has instilled a sense of community among the alumni.
No matter where I’m from or what I believe, Aspire showed me that opportunities are all around.
“As a first-generation university student, I had never thought of myself that way before,” Melis Berfin Karatas, a 2024 Aspire Leaders Program alumna expressed. “I felt that Aspire Institute recognized me and my struggles shared with the community.”
Post-event, the alumni established a communication channel to exchange ideas and stay connected. This demonstrates the alumni’s commitment to nurturing Aspire’s efforts and fostering long-lasting engagement with each other. This event acted as a catalyst for hope and inspiration for the future.
“I felt immensely excited about the future of our Aspire community,” Örnek said. “Promising developments are on the horizon, marking the beginning of significant progress.”
