Theme: Strangers by Nature

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDxTarsusAmericanCollege is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience on Tarsus American College Campus. At TEDxTarsusAmericanCollege, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a group. TEDxTarsusAmericanCollege, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDxTarsusAmericanCollege is organized by Tarsus American College.

Tarsus American College
Cengiz Topel Street, Caminur
Tarsus American College Campus, 44
Tarsus, Mersin, 33440
Turkey

Balkız İnal Sümerler

Events Region Lead EMEA & RCA at Philips, Marketing & Communication Professional

Balkiz Inal Sumerler is a bespoke event manager and a planning enthusiast, mother of 2, and an ever traveling/moving expat companion. She graduated from Tarsus American College in 1988, Istanbul University in 1992 with her BA, and started her international endeavours right after, in Germany. During her studies, various internships shed light on the career paths she didn’t want to follow thus led her towards her passion for events. 30 years on the road and traversing across Europe, North America and Middle East, her personal and professional experiences are a blend of these different cultures, which provides a wide spectrum for her ways of working and relationships. The latest professional stop on her career, after her primary role as a mother, is at Philips as the Global Events Region Lead for EMEA and Russia, based in Amsterdam.

İsmail Şenol

Sports Journalist, Television Presenter, Manager of Basketball Programs at beIN SPORTS Turkey

İsmail Şenol, Turkish television host and sports journalist. Mr. Şenol was born on 14 July 1984 in Karşıyaka, İzmir, where he also completed his elementary education. During this period he was involved in athletic activities and took part in his local soccer league. After he graduated from Yeditepe University Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, he got his master’s degree in FIFA-CIES Sports Management from Bahçeşehir University. He started his career by writing for various journals and moved on to the television industry by joining NBA TV. He experienced numerous roles as a sports reporter, sports journalist, and TV producer. During his career, he interviewed many famous sports players like Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant. Mr. Şenol still continues his career as a sports journalist and a TV host.

Meltem Ekmen

Psychologist, Founder of Elis Consulting Services Company

Meltem Ekmen was born in Ankara in 1980. After completing her first undergraduate degree in Ankara University, Department of Geological Engineering, Ekmen decided to continue her career in the field of psychology. She completed her psychology education at Munich Ludwig-Maxmilian University and completed her master's degree in clinical psychology in Çağ University with honors. After completing the Training for Trainers Programme of International Mindfulness Association(IMA), she became a practitioner and instructor for MBSR and MBCT. Moreover, she is a Gordon Training International certified PET practitioner. She provides consultancy and training to institutions with a systemic holistic approach, along with individual psychotherapy sessions at Elis Consulting Services Company, of which she is the founder.

Nursel Kavlak Gül

Turkey CFO at Microsoft, Experienced Finance Lead

Nursel Gül was born in Adana in 1982. She completed her secondary education in Tarsus American College in 1992-1999. Then, she majored in industrial engineering in METU and graduated with honors. After getting a master’s degree in Sabancı University, she started working in Procter & Gamble Istanbul office. After her work experience for 12 years in 7 different roles, she started working at Novartis Istanbul office in 2017. In 2020, right before the pandemic, she transferred to the office in the Switzerland Medicine Department. In the summer of 2021, she came back to Turkey with her family and has started working in Microsoft Turkey as Chief Financial Officer. She is married, has three kids and a dog.

Uluç Gürkan

Economist, Congressman, ODTÜ University Lecturer, Journalist, Writer

Born in 1945 in Urfa, Uluç Gürkan completed his primary education in six different schools. He then went to Talas American Middle School and Tarsus American College. He graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Political Sciences in 1968. He started his journalism career in 1969 with Doğan Avcıoğlu. Between 1974 and 1991, he worked with Anka News Agency and with the daily newspapers Sabah and Güneş. During this period, he was also declared “Journalist of the year” by the Modern Journalist Association and the Istanbul Journalist Community. From 1991 to 2002, he was elected as the Ankara Representative for the The Grand National Assembly of Turkey for 3 parliamentary terms. He was also the vice president for the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the vice president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and the TGNA deputy chairman during this period.

Yiğit Acar

Student, Young Leader, President of the European Youth Parliament Turkey, Country Coordinator for Europa Verstehen

Yiğit Acar is a Turkish student leader from Tarsus, Turkey. After completing his middle school education at METU D.F. Schools, he went to Tarsus American College. He is to study International Economics and Management at Bocconi University in Milan. He has been involved in many social activities in the fields of youth diplomacy, communication, and civic participation. He currently serves as the President of the European Youth Parliament Turkey which is a registered NGO in Turkey working under the umbrella of the International Office in Berlin. He represented EYP Turkey in various European countries and positions. He is also the Country Coordinator for the Schwarzkopf Foundation’s Understanding Europe project.