Our Story
Elite Coach Turkey was founded in 2010 by Dr. Elif Yilmaz, who recognized a critical gap in Turkey's business landscape: while technical and operational expertise was abundant, there was a significant shortage of leadership development resources tailored to Turkey's unique position between Eastern and Western business cultures.
After completing her MBA and PhD at INSEAD and serving in executive positions at multinational corporations across Europe and the Middle East, Dr. Yilmaz returned to Istanbul with a vision to create a coaching practice that would help Turkish businesses thrive in an increasingly global economy while honoring local business traditions.
What began as a solo practice quickly grew into a team of specialized coaches as demand for culturally-intelligent business coaching surged. By 2015, Elite Coach Turkey had established itself as the premier coaching service for executives and entrepreneurs in Istanbul, and by 2018 had expanded to include offices in Ankara and Izmir.
Today, our team of 12 certified coaches works with clients ranging from emerging startups to Fortune 500 companies, helping them navigate the complexities of business leadership in Turkey's dynamic and evolving economy. Our growth has been fueled by a reputation for excellence, measurable results, and deep understanding of both local business culture and international best practices.
Our Mission & Values
Our Mission
To transform business leadership in Turkey by bridging Eastern and Western practices, creating resilient leaders who drive sustainable success in the global economy while contributing positively to Turkey's economic and social development.
Integrity
We uphold the highest ethical standards in all client relationships, ensuring confidentiality, honesty, and transparency. Our coaching practice is guided by professional ethics that prioritize client welfare and sustainable business practices.
Excellence
We commit to continuous improvement of our coaching methodologies and business acumen. Every interaction with clients reflects our dedication to providing exceptional value and measurable results that exceed expectations.
Cultural Intelligence
We honor Turkey's unique position as a bridge between East and West by developing coaching approaches that integrate the best of global practices with deep understanding of local business contexts and traditions.
Innovation
We embrace new ideas, technologies, and methodologies that enhance our coaching effectiveness. Our research-driven approach ensures that clients benefit from cutting-edge leadership development practices adapted to their specific needs.
Our Leadership Team
Meet the experienced professionals who make Elite Coach Turkey the premier business coaching service in the region. Our diverse team brings expertise from multiple industries and cultural backgrounds.
Dr. Elif Yilmaz
Founder & Principal Coach
With over 20 years of experience in executive leadership and an MBA and PhD from INSEAD, Elif founded Elite Coach Turkey after leadership roles at multinational corporations. She specializes in executive transformation and cross-cultural business strategy, and is a frequent speaker at global leadership conferences.
Ali Demir, MBA
Executive Leadership Coach
Former CEO of a major Turkish telecommunications company, Ali brings practical leadership experience to his coaching approach. He specializes in digital transformation leadership and building high-performance executive teams, with particular expertise in helping traditional businesses navigate technological disruption.
Zeynep Kaya
Entrepreneurial Coach
Serial entrepreneur with three successful exits in Turkey's tech sector, Zeynep specializes in startup coaching, innovation leadership, and helping founders navigate growth challenges in emerging markets. She is particularly passionate about supporting women entrepreneurs in Turkey's growing technology sector.
Dr. Kerem Aksoy
Cross-Cultural Leadership Coach
With extensive international experience across Europe, Middle East, and Asia, Kerem specializes in helping Turkish businesses expand globally and international companies navigate Turkey's unique business environment. His background in international relations and organizational psychology provides valuable insights for clients operating across cultural boundaries.
Our Achievements
Since our founding in 2010, Elite Coach Turkey has established a proven track record of transforming leadership capabilities and business performance across Turkey.
Business Leaders Coached
We've helped transform the leadership approach of over 500 executives, entrepreneurs, and management teams across Turkey.
Client Retention Rate
Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our high client retention rate, with 80% of clients continuing or expanding their coaching engagements.
Average Revenue Growth
Our coaching clients report an average of 35% revenue growth within 18 months of completing our leadership development programs.
Industry Awards
Our coaching excellence has been recognized with 12 industry awards, including "Best Business Coaching Firm in Turkey" for three consecutive years.
Our Key Advantages
-
Cultural Intelligence
Our deep understanding of both Turkish business culture and international best practices enables us to create coaching solutions that bridge East and West.
-
Research-Backed Methodology
Our proprietary TRANSFORM coaching framework integrates the latest leadership research with practical business applications tailored to Turkey's economic landscape.
-
Measurable Results
We implement rigorous assessment and evaluation processes to track progress and demonstrate clear return on investment for our coaching programs.
-
Multi-Industry Expertise
Our diverse team brings specialized knowledge across key sectors including technology, finance, manufacturing, retail, and professional services.
What Our Clients Say
"Elite Coach Turkey transformed our executive team dynamics during a critical growth phase. Their understanding of both Turkish business culture and international best practices was invaluable as we expanded into European markets. The coaching process helped us develop a unified leadership approach while honoring our company's heritage."— Mehmet Aydin, CEO, Anatolia Manufacturing Group
"As a tech startup founder, I benefited tremendously from the entrepreneurial coaching program. It helped me navigate funding rounds, build a strong team, and establish effective leadership practices during our rapid growth. Their coaches understand the unique challenges facing Turkish entrepreneurs in the global tech ecosystem."— Ayşe Bulut, Founder, TurkPay Fintech
"The cross-cultural coaching program prepared our leadership team for international expansion. We avoided costly mistakes and accelerated our market entry through their expert guidance. Their coaches' ability to help us navigate both Western business practices and Middle Eastern cultural nuances gave us a competitive advantage."— Kemal Celik, International Director, Ottoman Retail Group
Our Coaching in Action
Experience the transformative environment of our coaching sessions and workshops through these images. Each photo captures the essence of our coaching approach and the engaging atmosphere we create.
Ready to Transform Your Leadership?
Schedule a consultation with our expert coaching team to discuss your business challenges and leadership development goals. We'll create a customized coaching program tailored to your specific needs.
Get in Touch