“Connect to change”
#Human-centereddesign #InsightDiscovery #ChangeAgentActivation #CommunityBuilding #Purpose-drivenStrategy #OrganizationalTransformation
Banu Betül has been a part of the HMD team since 2018 and is currently working as a senior strategist. With a background in design, she creates multi-stakeholder transformation journeys to empower people to act on their potential and lead the change.
At HMD, Banu Betül leads projects both in the private and civil sectors, primarily focusing on purpose discovery and change agent activation. She has experience in designing and overseeing the purpose discovery and transformation journey with a global e-retail brand. She has also created a women’s community building model and developed a company-wide customer insight discovery model for activating a purpose-driven company culture. In addition, Banu Betül has experience working on various projects with multiple civil society initiatives. She has designed a change-agent activation program and driven various community engagement activities in the education sector, as well as developed a collective impact working model focused on girls’ rights & education.
Prior to HMD, Banu Betül worked with Studio-X İstanbul, initiated by Columbia University, and took part in implementing and hosting the 3rd venue of the exhibition of the Istanbul 2016 Biennial with the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV). She also has earlier experience working with product design teams in various design companies. Apart from her professional experiences, throughout her journey, Banu Betül has actively been volunteering in multiple initiatives in her local communities. She was a Global Volunteer for the international debating competition organization “World Scholar’s Cup” between 2013-2016 and took a role in the regional tournaments in Dubai and Turkey.
Additionally, she has been an active community member in the NGO “Istanbul&I,” volunteering as the Program Coordinator for the NGO’s social inclusion initiatives and the Social Media Manager within the organization’s Communications team.
Education
Istanbul Technical University – Faculty of Architecture, International Student in Department of Industrial Product Design, BA., 2018
Cambridge International School, Dubai – Fine Arts, English Language&Literature, Business, Travel & Tourism, A-Levels Degree, 2014
Deira International School, Dubai – Business, Design & Technology, English Language&Literature, IGCSE Degree, 2013
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Get to know Banu Betül in 3 questions
What exasperates you?
“Not willing to take initiative exasperates me. Having the capacity to take action but not doing so is merely unjust – to oneself and others.”
What compliments do you dismiss?
“I dismiss compliments about being authentically open-minded. The only requirement for this is connecting with people, which is already in the nature of being human.”
What do you think about when you have nothing to think about?
“I find myself thinking about overthinking … about overthinking.”