Özgül Özkan Yavuz
KADEM Board Member
Özgül Özkan Yavuz graduated from Middle East Technical University Faculty of Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning and received her Master’s Degree (Msc) with the thesis titled “Urban Renewal Process and Politics in Turkey” in 1998 while working as a research assistant at METU Institute of Social Sciences “Urban Policy and Local Government” Program. Upon getting the European Union Jean Monnet Program Scholarship in 1999, she attended University of Birmingham, School of Public Policy, Centre for Urban and Regional Studies and specializing in the field of tourism planning and management issues, she received her second master’s degree (MSc) with the thesis titled “Planning in Turkey in the Field of Tourism and Management”
Yavuz, who started to work as the Urban Planner in the Ministry of Tourism General Directorate of Investments-Planning Department in 1997, served in Ministry of Tourism and various national and foreign departments and projects of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for 17 years. Yavuz worked as a diplomatic officer at the Netherlands Culture and Promotion Attaché from 2004 to 2007, and as an International Promotion Director of Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency between 2008 and 2010. In 2011, Yavuz was appointed as the Deputy Director of Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, and continued his duty until July 2014, where she was responsible for various national and international projects in the fields of culture and tourism. Serving as the General Manager of the Istanbul Congress and Visitor Bureau from this date until November 2016, Yavuz was also elected as a member of the Board of Directors of “The European Cities Marketing Association” and represented Istanbul on the international area at the same time. Yavuz has been the General Secretary of the Istanbul Development Agency since December 2016 and also a Board Member of the European Development Agencies Association (EURADA) which Istanbul Development Agency is a member of, and KADEM Board Member.
