Meet A WINner: Funda Sivrikaya Şerifoğlu

We are so grateful to Funda Sivrikaya Şerifoğlu, for her endless support and contributions to our giveback programs. Funda is our MentorWIN Program BRaintrust and Million Women Mentors Turkey Ambassador. We got to know her a little closer, see below!

Funda Sivrikaya Şerifoğlu is an academician and a continuous learner. Funda works as a consultant to the president of İstanbul Aydın University, a foundation university, as a coach and a social entrepreneur. 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

“Know yourself.”

Dark chocolate or milk chocolate

Dark but not too strong, please :)

One thing you wish you had known earlier in your career

There is a blessing in everything that happens.

What is the most courageous thing you have ever done

Founding a new university with a pioneering philosophy and system.

If you could have any three people (dead or alive) over for dinner – who would they be?

The two most important revolutionaries: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and Hz. Muhammed (sav), and Yunus Emre

Name a book you read that positively shaped you.

There are many books to name but the most recent ones are the books in the Isaret series by Deniz Erten

You believe in sisterhood at work because…

we need to collaborate in order to transform the world into a better place with balanced feminine and masculine energies

Who are your role models?

Anybody with high ideals, ambition, and self-confidence.

If you had one superpower, what would it be?

Seeing the reality behind the limitations of my body and organs.

Share a story about a time when you were really proud of your achievement 

Thanks to Allah, there are so many such moments. To name one, Düzce Technopark, which I founded, was awarded the First Place prize among several other technoparks in industrialized regions, within just a few years of its inception. The Minister when giving us the award said on stage: “Hocam, how could such a miracle happen?”

Share a story about a time how you recovered from a great mistake 

I discharged a manager whom I appointed to that position couple of years earlier.

Your advice to the next generation of career women from your learnings

Get to know yourselves better, use your strengths for the common good, and write your own definitions of success and happiness.

Do you have any pets?

Yes, I have a dog that my son brought home.

If you weren’t in your industry – what would you be doing?

Psychology, neuroscience, or agriculture

How did you overcome the glass ceiling?

I was not aware of such a concept, but I worked very very hard to realize my dreams. I did not care when other people thought they are not feasible 

Watch Funda's video on time management at our giveback platform BinYaprak

ZAMANI İYİ KULLAN! - Funda Sivrikaya Şerifoğlu | BinYaprak #ÇalışanKadın