Administrative boards await women members

Forbes and Preasta have initiated a program geared towards increasing the number of women on administrative boards. The program will have the likes of Cem Boyner, Murat Ülker and Tayfun Bayazıt on as mentors.



Forbes Turkey and Praesta Consulting have initiated a program entitled "Mentorship Program for More Women to Join Executive Boards". Under Boyner Holding Executive Board Chairman Cem Boyner's direction, the program, also conducted by Türkiye Yönetici Ortağı Hande Yaşargil Ateşoğlu and FORBES Chief Editor Burçak Güven, aims to increase the presence of women in the business world. A number of prominent figures including Yıldız Holding Executive Board Chairman Murat Ülker, Arkas Holding Chairman of the Executive Board Lucien Arkas, MV Holding Vice-Chairman of the Executive Board Muzaffer Akpınar, Türkiye Corporate Administration Association Member Tayfun Bayazıt, PepsiCO Pacific Asia Distirct Director Ümran Beba, Yıldız Holding Chairman of the Executive Board Advisor Rose Marie Bravo, TİKAD Chairman Nilüfer Bulut, TÜSİAD Employment and Social Security Work Group, KAGİDER Director Gülden Türktan and Borusan Holding CEO Agah Uğur will be offering their support to the program.

The first stage of the program, sponsored by Datateknik and Yıldız Holding will kick off with approximately 30 mentors and consultants. Forbes Chief Editor Burçak Güven states, "This is not a 'women's project'. Quite the opposite, this is an attempt to find a solution for a common need, 'a move for talent'. The fact is, the insufficient representation of women at the point of decision making is not solely a problem that pertains to women."
Women who have the experience and talent to serve on administrative boards will be nominated to participate in the program. Candidates will be partnered with specialists in their sector by Praesta Consulting. Mentors will meet with their candidates in regular monthly meetings for a period of one year. While the candidates will have the opportunity to communicate and benefit from the experience of influential people in the business world, through their mentors they will also be able to widen their communication networks which will contribute to opportunities to be selected as board members.