Baran Örnek, an Aspire Leaders Program alumnus from 2022 from Istanbul and a university student passionate about climate activism, discovered his mission to pursue education and leadership roles at a young age. He currently studies management engineering and hopes to make a lasting impact on the climate through his work and studies.
Early Education Sparks Passion for Driving Change
Örnek discovered his desire to continue his education and make a lasting impact on his community early on.
He excelled on the high school entrance exam, gaining admission to one of Istanbul’s prestigious secondary schools. This achievement motivated him to pursue higher education, a path his family had not previously taken.
Örnek’s determination led him to teach himself English by immersing in American and British media, translating sitcoms and songs. Through his involvement in the Music for Peace Youth, he made a connection that sparked a newfound passion for climate activism.
This led to him co-founding İklim Öncüleri, also known as Climate Pioneers, a group dedicated to influencing climate policy in Turkey.
“[We want to] raise awareness in Turkey, but also create some campaigns, strikes, conferences, [and] events,” he said.
Aspire Leaders Program: Catalyst for Baran Örnek’s Leadership Growth
The Aspire Leaders Program played a crucial role in his leadership development. After learning of the program from one of his Climate Pioneers’ colleagues, he joined during his second year of university. He particularly enjoyed the HarvardX courses which were a part of a previous version of the program.
“[The courses were] really helpful to make me learn about different approaches on leadership,” he said. “I’ve used those approaches in the Climate Pioneers community as well to lead more efficiently.”
The Aspire Leaders Program provided Örnek with a network of like-minded individuals in Turkey and abroad and leadership skills applicable to climate activism.
Expanding Impact Through Aspire
Building on his Aspire experience, Örnek organized several climate-related events in Turkey, including a local TEDx conference and a youth conference, both focused on nurturing aspiring climate leaders. These events, rooted in the values and skills he honed through the Aspire Leaders Program, served as platforms for young voices to be heard and empowered.
Future Aspirations in Sustainability
As a rising senior at Istanbul Technical University, Örnek plans to pursue a master’s degree in either Europe or the United States in the future. Before applying, he intends to complete an internship and participate in a sustainability research project he was recently accepted into. Örnek remains committed to building a career in the environmental field, continuing his work in promoting sustainability.
“This community focuses on mostly young people,” he said. “Our main goal is to raise awareness in Turkey to influence policymakers.”
Playing a Role in Aspire’s Growing Presence in Turkey
Recently, Örnek helped organize an alumni gathering in Turkey with Aspire Institute’s CEO, Meena Sonea, as well as Boston College professor and Aspire Faculty Advisor, Can Erbil.
The event served as a platform to announce Aspire’s plans to develop a Foundry in Turkey, further expanding its impact in the region, and to allow alumni to network with each other.
Advice for Future Aspire Leaders
Given the increased number of applicants each year, Örnek stressed the importance of applying early.
“I would suggest [to] them to really prioritize their application and process to become an alum,” he said.
