Sabanci University Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Sabanci University has 6 executives leading key functions including financial strategy, presidential operations, human capital management, educational planning, administrative affairs, and institutional leadership.

Committed to academic excellence and global career preparation, Sabanci University fosters innovation through research-driven education and the development of highly skilled individuals within the foundation university model.

Leadership Roles at Sabanci University

  • Chief Financial Officer - Huriye Okumuşoglu
  • Chief of Staff To the President - Arzu Dinç
  • Education Processes Planning&Analysis Senior Spec.-President's Office and Eğitim Süreçleri Planl.&Analiz - Müjgan Baysal
  • President's Office Administrative Affairs Specialist - Pnar Tolan
  • Founder & President - Ekin Marlalı
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Elif Gül
  • Huriye Okumuşoglu - Chief Financial Officer

    Huriye Okumuşoglu, the Chief Financial Officer at Sabanci University, directs all fiscal operations and long-term budgetary planning. Overseeing the allocation of foundation resources, the Chief Financial Officer ensures financial sustainability across all academic departments. This leadership role involves managing complex funding streams to support research initiatives and campus infrastructure development. By optimizing expenditure and revenue cycles, Huriye Okumuşoglu directly impacts the university's ability to maintain high-quality educational standards. The Chief Financial Officer collaborates with the Board to align fiscal policies with the broader mission of producing globally competitive graduates. Through rigorous oversight of institutional assets, the Chief Financial Officer secures the necessary capital for ongoing expansion. Financial transparency remains a core priority, guiding every decision made by the Chief Financial Officer to uphold the integrity of the university's endowment and operational budget while supporting the strategic growth of the institution.

    Arzu Dinç - Chief of Staff To the President

    Arzu Dinç, the Chief of Staff To the President at Sabanci University, coordinates executive communications and strategic initiatives across the entire campus. Managing the flow of information to the President's Office, the Chief of Staff To the President ensures seamless alignment between academic leadership and administrative departments. This role involves facilitating high-level meetings and tracking the progress of institutional goals. By streamlining internal processes, Arzu Dinç enhances the efficiency of the university's governance structure. The Chief of Staff To the President acts as a primary liaison for external stakeholders, representing the university's interests in regional and international academic forums. Through meticulous project management, the Chief of Staff To the President drives the execution of the President's vision for academic excellence. This position requires constant interaction with faculty and staff to maintain operational cohesion, ensuring that every administrative action supports the core mission of fostering qualified, globally-minded individuals.

    Müjgan Baysal - Education Processes Planning&Analysis Senior Spec.-President's Office and Eğitim Süreçleri Planl.&Analiz

    Müjgan Baysal, the Education Processes Planning&Analysis Senior Spec.-President's Office and Eğitim Süreçleri Planl.&Analiz at Sabanci University, evaluates academic workflows to optimize student learning outcomes. Overseeing the data-driven analysis of educational programs, the Education Processes Planning&Analysis Senior Spec.-President's Office and Eğitim Süreçleri Planl.&Analiz ensures that curriculum design meets international standards. This role involves identifying gaps in educational delivery and proposing structural improvements to the President's Office. By synthesizing complex performance metrics, Müjgan Baysal provides actionable insights that guide academic policy decisions. The Education Processes Planning&Analysis Senior Spec.-President's Office and Eğitim Süreçleri Planl.&Analiz collaborates with faculty to integrate innovative teaching methodologies into the classroom. Through continuous monitoring of educational trends, the Education Processes Planning&Analysis Senior Spec.-President's Office and Eğitim Süreçleri Planl.&Analiz supports the university's commitment to producing graduates equipped for global careers. This analytical leadership ensures that every educational process remains aligned with the institution's mission of excellence.

    Pnar Tolan - President's Office Administrative Affairs Specialist

    Pnar Tolan, the President's Office Administrative Affairs Specialist at Sabanci University, manages the daily operational logistics of the executive office. Overseeing administrative workflows, the President's Office Administrative Affairs Specialist ensures that all office functions support the President's strategic agenda. This role involves coordinating complex schedules, managing institutional documentation, and facilitating communication between the President and various university departments. By maintaining high standards of organizational efficiency, Pnar Tolan enables the executive team to focus on long-term institutional goals. The President's Office Administrative Affairs Specialist serves as a critical point of contact for internal and external inquiries, ensuring professional representation of the university. Through proactive problem-solving, the President's Office Administrative Affairs Specialist resolves operational bottlenecks that could impede administrative progress. This position requires a deep understanding of university policies to ensure that all administrative activities remain compliant with institutional regulations while supporting the broader mission of academic advancement.
    Pnar Tolan

    Ekin Marlalı - Founder & President

    Ekin Marlalı, the Founder & President at Sabanci University, defines the strategic vision and institutional direction of the university. Overseeing the implementation of the founding principles, the Founder & President ensures that the institution remains dedicated to producing qualified individuals capable of succeeding in any global environment. This leadership role involves engaging with international partners and donors to secure the university's future growth. By championing research and innovation, Ekin Marlalı drives the university's reputation as a premier foundation institution. The Founder & President collaborates with the Board and executive leadership to set long-term academic and financial goals. Through visionary guidance, the Founder & President fosters an environment where faculty and students can thrive. This role requires balancing the demands of academic excellence with the practical needs of a modern university, ensuring that the institution continues to fulfill its mission of providing world-class education to the next generation of leaders.

    Elif Gül - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Elif Gül, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Sabanci University, architects talent acquisition and organizational development strategies. Overseeing the recruitment of world-class faculty and administrative staff, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures the university maintains a competitive edge in the global education market. This leadership role involves designing professional development programs that empower employees to excel in their respective fields. By fostering an inclusive and high-performance culture, Elif Gül directly impacts the overall productivity and morale of the institution. The Chief Human Resources Officer collaborates with department heads to align staffing needs with the university's long-term research and teaching objectives. Through the implementation of modern HR technologies, the Chief Human Resources Officer streamlines personnel management and compliance processes. Ultimately, the Chief Human Resources Officer secures the human capital necessary to sustain the university's reputation for academic rigor and innovation in the competitive landscape of higher education.

    Explore Leadership Teams in Colleges & Universities

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Sabanci University Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Sabanci University?
    Sabanci University is led by Huriye Okumuşoglu (Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as Arzu Dinç (Chief of Staff To the President) and Müjgan Baysal (Education Processes Planning&Analysis Senior Spec.-President's Office and Eğitim Süreçleri Planl.&Analiz).
    Who is part of Sabanci University’s executive team?
    The executive team of Sabanci University includes leaders such as Huriye Okumuşoglu (Chief Financial Officer), Arzu Dinç (Chief of Staff To the President), Müjgan Baysal (Education Processes Planning&Analysis Senior Spec.-President's Office and Eğitim Süreçleri Planl.&Analiz) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Sabanci University have?
    Sabanci University has 6 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Sabanci University’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Sabanci University includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief of Staff To the President, Education Processes Planning&Analysis Senior Spec.-President's Office and Eğitim Süreçleri Planl.&Analiz, President's Office Administrative Affairs Specialist, Founder & President.