Özlem Yeşildere Bio

Özlem Yeşildere

Current/ previous positions: Chief Finance Officer, Diageo Brazil

BIOGRAPHY

Since 2019, Özlem Yeşildere has worked with Diageo—initially leading Finance & Digital Transformation in Turkey, and from 2025, overseeing Finance in Diageo Brazil. Since 2022, she also chairs Diageo’s Global Cash Council. She began her career as a management consultant before joining Procter & Gamble, where she held key Finance and Operations roles across Turkey and Europe. Later, she joined Philips and assumed the CFO role for Turkey and the Middle East, overseeing finance operations across 15 countries and four offices. Subsequently, she transitioned to private equity–backed firms to drive transformation. At Mobiliz Technology, she directed a full-scale business turnaround as CEO. At Koton Fashion Retail, she managed global finance and strategy at the executive level. In addition, she serves as an Independent Director on the board of Unlu & Co. and is a co-founder of YenidenBiz (supporting women returning to work) and Günyüzü Association (focused on positive parenting).

“At the recent Global Summit of Women, once again masterfully organized by Irene Natividad, we explored the profound impact of generational shifts on leadership and the future of work. In a world characterized by nonlinear change, accelerated pace, and interconnected systems—what at EY we call the NAVI world—leaders must embrace new approaches to transformation.”

– Julie Linn Teigland, Global Vice Chair – Alliances & Ecosystems, EY (UK)

Sunset over the Bosphorus River

“To be honest, the positive and uplifting atmosphere of being around such a diverse, international group of women from all industry sectors and political leaders was the most inspiring and valuable for me. The intersection of industry, politics, and technology is very important.

It was my first Global Summit and I was amazed to just be part of this truly global group of female leaders from around the world. Thank you and I look forward to Istanbul!”

-Stephanie Levy, CEO of Schools 42 Wolfsburg/Berlin e.V. (Germany)

Levent Business District in Istanbul

“Each and every topic was spot on. Super engaging and relevant. It was tough having to pick a breakout room. It was very valuable. There was not one that was not relevant. Spot on.”

-Vita Barrio, Financial Advisor, Raymond James Financial (USA)

Inside Topkapi Palace

“Made a lot of good contacts, the space will run out before I can write all the names of the wonderful women. I specifically liked the CEO panels with both men & women and was surprised to learn about the lack of corelation b/w women sitting on executives boards and women CEOs. Also, implementing quotas is something that I will look into in my organization. One other thing I took away with me is the power of role modelling and how I an contribute to make it more prominent.”

– Iva Ponomar, Production Leader, Dow Chemical (Germany)