DESIGN FOR PHILANTHROPY
I believe in the power design plays for positive social and environmental impact. For over 20 years of professional design career, I had the opportunity to work with amazing people who care about what they do. I bring my diverse knowledge of professional leadership and a network of collaborators to my philanthropic engagements. All of this is anchored to my unique and rich background of professional experience and my deep belief in our collective potential to create thriving futures for a more sustainable world. Below are a few initiatives that I led using the power of design for good.
strategy for an international community
SUSTAINABILITY + SOCIAL IMPACT+ CULTURAL RESONANCE
I believe in the high value design thinking plays in early education and in building strong communities. In 2015 I founded the Bay Area Turkish Society, a nonprofit community organization in Berkeley, California, where I led the initiatives of educational, cultural, social and recreational programming through arts, dance, music, and cuisine. One of these important programs is the partnership I led between my Industrial Design students with the Berkeley Turkish School community to design educational products that focus on teaching culture through creativity.
connecting the design community
CULTIVATING THE CONVERSATIONS
As the chair of IDSA SanFrancisco Chapter, I have been leading the efforts in setting the stage for events where meaningful conversations spark positive impact for the design community. The mission of the IDSA is to serve the networking, career development and professional development needs of industrial designers in the Bay Area.
designing an urban community garden
PERMACULTURE + ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY
In 2003, I initiated the first organic community garden in Izmir, Turkey after a week long workshop with Permaculture experts Evan and Morag Gamble from Chrystal Waters, Melbourne, Australia. During this design workshop we co-designed the garden’s layout, built and established its governance rules with the garden volunteers.
DEMONSTRATING SUSTAINABLE LIVING
ECO HOUSE- A DEMONSTRATION HOME AND GARDEN IN SUSTAINABLE LIVING
In 2000, I had the opportunity to lead Eco House’s education and community initiatives and collaborate with its founder, Karl Linn. I organized energy efficiency and sustainable living classes and community garden workshops based in Permaculture principles.