DeFacto Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

DeFacto has 7 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, digital infrastructure, human capital, and global retail operations.

Driven by a commitment to accessible fashion, DeFacto delivers diverse apparel and cosmetic solutions while maintaining a strong focus on sustainable growth and international market expansion.

Leadership Roles at DeFacto

  • Chief Executive Officer - Hiroki Takahashi
  • Chairman & Chief Executive Officer - Hsan Ateş
  • Founder & Chief Executive Officer - Lauren Markham
  • Chief Financial Officer - A. Burgaçoğlu
  • Chief Information Officer - Abdurrahman Kılınç
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Yesim Cokeker
  • Chief Operations Officer - Cerdai Ersoy
  • Hiroki Takahashi - Chief Executive Officer

    Hiroki Takahashi, the Chief Executive Officer at DeFacto, directs the overarching corporate strategy and long-term vision for the global fashion retail brand. Takahashi manages the expansion of product lines across women's, men's, and babies' categories, ensuring market relevance in competitive retail environments. By aligning internal resources with consumer demand, the Chief Executive Officer optimizes the supply chain to support high-volume apparel distribution. Hiroki Takahashi maintains constant communication with the Board to refine operational goals and drive profitability. This leadership role involves monitoring international market trends to identify new growth opportunities within the fashion sector. Through rigorous analysis of retail performance metrics, the Chief Executive Officer secures the company's position as a leader in the apparel industry. Takahashi fosters a culture of innovation, ensuring that every product launch meets the high standards expected by the global customer base.

    Hsan Ateş - Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

    Hsan Ateş, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at DeFacto, governs the strategic direction and high-level governance of the organization. Ateş oversees the integration of corporate policy with retail execution, ensuring that the brand maintains its competitive edge in the fashion market. The Chairman & Chief Executive Officer coordinates with executive leadership to synchronize regional operations across diverse international territories. Hsan Ateş drives the development of new business models that incorporate denim and cosmetics into the core retail portfolio. By focusing on long-term value creation, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer strengthens the company's market presence and financial stability. This role requires constant evaluation of industry shifts to adapt the retail strategy effectively. Through decisive leadership, Ateş ensures that the company remains agile while scaling operations to meet the evolving needs of a global consumer audience.

    Lauren Markham - Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Lauren Markham, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer at DeFacto, architects the foundational mission and brand identity of the fashion retail enterprise. Markham drives the creative vision for apparel and accessory collections, ensuring that the brand remains synonymous with quality and style. The Founder & Chief Executive Officer monitors the alignment of product development with the company's core values, fostering a unique market position. Lauren Markham collaborates with the executive team to scale the business model, focusing on sustainable growth and brand loyalty. This leadership role involves identifying emerging fashion trends and translating those insights into actionable retail strategies. By maintaining a deep connection to the brand's origins, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer ensures consistency across all product categories. Markham secures the company's future by championing initiatives that enhance the customer experience and expand the global footprint of the retail brand.

    A. Burgaçoğlu - Chief Financial Officer

    A. Burgaçoğlu, the Chief Financial Officer at DeFacto, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies for the entire retail organization. Burgaçoğlu oversees financial planning, budgeting, and reporting processes to ensure transparency and profitability across all departments. The Chief Financial Officer directs the analysis of revenue streams from apparel, denim, and cosmetics, providing critical insights that inform strategic decision-making. A. Burgaçoğlu coordinates with the Board to maintain robust financial controls and risk management frameworks. This leadership role involves optimizing the cost structure to support international expansion and operational efficiency. By monitoring global economic conditions, the Chief Financial Officer ensures that the company maintains a strong balance sheet. A. Burgaçoğlu drives the financial strategy that enables the business to invest in new technologies and retail infrastructure, ultimately supporting the long-term growth objectives of the company.

    Abdurrahman Kılınç - Chief Information Officer

    Abdurrahman Kılınç, the Chief Information Officer at DeFacto, directs the digital transformation and technological infrastructure that powers the global retail operations. Kılınç oversees the implementation of advanced data analytics and e-commerce platforms to enhance the customer shopping experience. The Chief Information Officer manages the integration of supply chain software, ensuring real-time visibility into inventory levels across all retail channels. Abdurrahman Kılınç collaborates with other C-suite leaders to align IT initiatives with the company's broader business goals. This leadership role involves securing the digital environment against cyber threats while scaling systems to support high-volume traffic. By leveraging technology to streamline internal processes, the Chief Information Officer drives operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making. Kılınç ensures that the company remains at the forefront of retail innovation by continuously upgrading the digital tools used to manage apparel and accessory sales.

    Yesim Cokeker - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Yesim Cokeker, the Chief Human Resources Officer at DeFacto, directs the talent acquisition, organizational development, and employee engagement strategies for the global workforce. Cokeker oversees the implementation of training programs that support the company's retail excellence and customer service standards. The Chief Human Resources Officer manages the corporate culture, ensuring that the values of the brand are reflected in every aspect of the employee experience. Yesim Cokeker collaborates with the executive team to design compensation and benefits structures that attract top talent in the competitive fashion industry. This leadership role involves fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that supports the company's international growth. By optimizing human capital management, the Chief Human Resources Officer drives productivity and employee retention. Cokeker ensures that the organization maintains a high-performing team capable of executing the complex operational requirements of a large-scale fashion retailer.
    Yesim Cokeker

    Cerdai Ersoy - Chief Operations Officer

    Cerdai Ersoy, the Chief Operations Officer at DeFacto, directs the end-to-end supply chain, logistics, and retail store operations across all global markets. Ersoy oversees the movement of apparel, denim, and cosmetics from manufacturing facilities to retail locations, ensuring optimal inventory turnover. The Chief Operations Officer manages the efficiency of distribution centers and the performance of physical store networks. Cerdai Ersoy collaborates with the executive team to refine operational workflows, reducing lead times and improving service levels. This leadership role involves implementing lean methodologies to minimize waste and maximize profitability in the retail sector. By monitoring regional performance metrics, the Chief Operations Officer ensures that the company meets the demands of diverse consumer bases. Ersoy drives the operational strategy that supports the company's expansion, ensuring that every store and distribution point functions at peak capacity to deliver high-quality products to customers.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding DeFacto Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads DeFacto?
    DeFacto is led by Hiroki Takahashi (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Hsan Ateş (Chairman & Chief Executive Officer) and Lauren Markham (Founder & Chief Executive Officer).
    Who is part of DeFacto’s executive team?
    The executive team of DeFacto includes leaders such as Hiroki Takahashi (Chief Executive Officer), Hsan Ateş (Chairman & Chief Executive Officer), Lauren Markham (Founder & Chief Executive Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does DeFacto have?
    DeFacto has 7 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in DeFacto’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of DeFacto includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer.