Esel Cekin is a board member for several companies in Turkey, including Migros Ticaret AS, Turkey’s largest omnichannel grocery retailer; Nackiyé, an Instabul-based clothing retailer; Coca Cola Icecek; and Fiba Retail Group. She also serves on the advisory boards of two artificial intelligence-driven startups: T-Fashion, which focuses on fashion technology, and Madlen, specializing in edtech. She was the founding executive director of the Harvard Business School MENA Research Center between 2013 and 2023. She managed HBS’s research activities in Turkey, the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia.

Esel is also a Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) member! In this member spotlight, we asked her a series of questions about both her professional role and personal life, including the woman that inspires her, her leadership style, her advice for the next generation of female leaders, and much more.

  1. What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
    “The Orphan Master’s Son” by Adam Johnson. It opened my eyes to a world I knew little about — North Korea. I was deeply drawn to the main character’s quiet strength and his ability to stay kind in the face of so much hardship.
  2. What is a tip you have for productively leading a remote or hybrid team?
    Hold weekly team meetings to keep everyone on the same page and motivated by giving them a chance to talk about their projects. Start each meeting with some casual conversation to help everyone feel comfortable and create a sense of psychological safety.
  3. What’s a mistake you made early on in your career?
    I was a workaholic and struggled to balance work with personal life. As our family grew — with our daughters and aging parents needing more support — I lost touch with myself. I was present for everyone except me. Over time, I learned to set aside time for myself, which brought much-needed balance and allowed me to be more present and effective both at work and at home.
  4. What’s the toughest part of being in charge?
    Being in charge comes with serious responsibility — not only to employees, but also to customers, suppliers and shareholders. As a woman, I’ve found that a natural instinct to care and support others often shows up in leadership. The challenge is balancing that empathy with fairness and firmness, ensuring everyone is treated with both kindness and consistency.
  5. What’s the best way you motivate team members?
    I find that the most effective way to motivate team members is through generous listening — making space for their ideas, concerns and aspirations without rushing to respond. When people feel truly heard, they’re more engaged, confident and committed to the team’s goals.
  6. What woman inspires you right now and why?
    Arianna Huffington; her entrepreneurial journey exemplifies how vision and innovation can break barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries.
  7. What are you looking forward to the most for the industry over the next year?
    Seeing how artificial intelligence continues to transform the industry, and how leaders who truly understand and harness its potential will drive meaningful disruption and innovation.
  8. What’s one thing you look for when interviewing a job candidate?
    Curiosity and a positive attitude. While skills can be learned, genuine curiosity and a constructive mindset are qualities that can’t be easily taught.
  9. What’s something that you learned about yourself in the past year?
    That my perfectionism can be cured when I decide to let go. And that I don’t have to hold everything so tightly to do things well and still have space to breathe.
  10. What’s your favorite podcast?
    Hidden Brain by Shankar Vedantam — insightful, thought-provoking, and deeply human
  11. What values are most important to you as a leader?
    Integrity and fairness — doing what’s right and treating everyone equally.
  12. What’s the most important thing people should know about you?
    Family comes first — for me and for those around me. I believe personal responsibilities, especially family, should always be respected over work when it matters most.
  13. What practices or boundaries have you implemented in your personal life to create more work/life balance?
    I give myself two hours in the morning before checking messages or emails. I don’t take calls when I’m with family, friends, or spending time alone. I say no to meetings after work hours and on weekends, and I completely disconnect from email while on vacation. I also set screen-free hours in the evening to stay present.
  14. How would you describe yourself in a single sentence?
    I’m a driven, curious and empathetic person who cares deeply about others and speaks her mind with honesty.
  15. What’s your favorite app?
    I adore my WHOOP and its app — it keeps me mindful of my health, recovery and daily performance.
  16. What do you do to recharge?
    I recharge by taking long walks by the water and lifting weights. It helps me clear my mind and reconnect with myself.
  17. What is your biggest accomplishment?
    Being the mother of two happy daughters who truly love and support each other is my greatest accomplishment.
  18. What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders?
    Surround yourself with female mentors and start building a network early — one that will advocate for you wherever your path leads.
  19. What gets you up in the morning?
    A passion for learning something new every day.
  20. What do you like most about being a member of Women in Retail Leadership Circle?
    As a new member from Türkiye, I find it incredibly exciting to engage with Women in Retail members from diverse geographies and cultural backgrounds. It’s a valuable opportunity to learn and grow through shared experiences.

Interested in connecting with women like Esel? Apply today to become a Women in Retail Leadership Circle member!