Mehmet Gulez
Principal, Mastercard Services Business Lead, Turkey & Azerbaijan
Istanbul
Summary
Seasoned and purpose-driven business leader with 20+ years of experience across financial services, retail, and commerce industries, gained through senior roles at Mastercard and EY. Recognized for strong team leadership and coaching, I am deeply committed to embedding the Mastercard Way of working to foster empowered, high-performing, and collaborative teams. A proven expert in Innovation and Business Model Innovation, I specialize in designing new value propositions and go-to-market strategies that unlock growth in dynamic segments such as Retail & Commerce. My blend of strategic acumen, analytical thinking, and emotional intelligence allows me to build trusted relationships with clients as an account owner and inspire teams as an executive and coach. I bring a unique ability to align purpose with performance—driving innovation, cultural transformation, and sustainable business impact.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
7
7
Certifications
Work History
Principal, Services Turkey Cluster BD Lead
Mastercard Services
09.2022 - Current
- Drove Strategic Growth: Led and executed high-impact initiatives that increased Services share in the Turkey Cluster from 25% in 2022 to 33% in 2025. Spearheaded business development programs that delivered sustainable revenue and profitability.
- Built & Scaled High-Performing Team: Expanded the team from 2 to 7 members since 2023. Achieved an 88% average Employee Experience score in 2024 (vs. 79% Mastercard overall), including 100% in Culture & PL Effectiveness and 92% in Engagement from direct reports.
- Accelerated Revenue Growth: Identified and captured high-value opportunities, resulting in 38% CAGR (2022–2024) for the Turkey Cluster. In 2024, Turkey contributed 53% of EE Division’s Services growth. Scaled the Retail & Commerce segment 9x, reaching $6.6M in 2024.
- Secured Landmark Deals in NFIs: Closed the first T&L sales in the cluster with Burger King (Turkey & China), Starbucks, and Karaca. Sold and delivered strategic Joint Value Initiatives (JVIs) with Turkish Airlines and Dream Group. Supported and led key deals with leading fintechs such as Papara, Param, Getir, SiPay, UPT, ON, and Paycell.
- Led B2B Marketing & Brand Strategy: Elevated market visibility through strategic marketing partnerships and presence at major industry events especially in R&C segment including Retail Days, MMA, Webrazzi, and Ayvalık Meetups
- Championed Innovation & AI Transformation: Designed and launched an annual Cluster Innovation Portfolio Management Framework, facilitating innovation workshops that led to 10+ new IPs and Big Bets. Co-founded the Turkey AI Task Force with ACS, resulting in the deployment of 3 local GenAI solutions. Localized and scaled the Lighthouse Turkey program in 2024, expanding to Eastern Europe in 2025 through a partnership with EBRD.
- Forged Strategic Ecosystem Partnerships: Built and maintained strong, growth-oriented relationships with clients and ecosystem players. Partnered with technology providers including EVAM, Prometa, Malliq, Datariod, Commencis, Userspots, OBSS, Doğuş Tech, and Masraff to co-develop innovative solutions and enhance Marketing & Digital Services offerings.
Partner, Business Transformation & Innovation
EY Consulting
07.2019 - 09.2022
- Founded and led the Innovation & Experience Design Team under the Business Transformation practice, building a high-performing unit recognized as the highest-margin-generating competency team within the Consulting Service Line.
- Designed and delivered bespoke business transformation blueprints, covering growth strategies, cultural change, and execution roadmaps for clients across diverse sectors such as J&J, Eczacibasi, Koc Group, Sabanci Holding, Acibadem, Turkcell, Turk Telekom, BKM, World Bank, IFC & EBRD.
- Localized and launched global EY offerings — including Payment Strategy, Purpose-Led Transformation, Smart Cities, Business Model Innovation, and Long-Term Value Strategy — to serve the specific needs of the Turkish and regional markets. Sold and led 10+ Turquality Global Expension program of Turkish Exporting Retail Brands in partnership with Turkish Government.
- Developed innovative go-to-market strategies, customer experience models, and sales/marketing operating frameworks that directly supported client business expansion efforts.
- Pioneered breakthrough solutions and shaped future-ready business models and value propositions, especially for clients in Manufacturing, Retail, Telecommunications, Payments, and Sustainability sectors.
Markets & Business Development Leader
EY Consulting
10.2013 - 09.2022
- Promoted to Markets Leader in 2020, continuing a tenure as Business Development Leader since 2013, with end-to-end responsibility for market operations, sales growth, and strategic initiatives across priority sectors.
- Drove strategic transformation in market operations, business development, and sales programs through data-driven initiatives and high-impact execution plans.
- Led cross-functional collaboration with account and segment executives to expand into new markets, identify high-value prospects, and facilitate product/service demonstrations. Chaired weekly sales and market reviews to ensure alignment on objectives and performance metrics.
- Delivered 40%+ revenue and sales growth since 2014, supported by an average annual Customer Experience (CX) score of 8.2. Achieved 100% pipeline growth year-over-year since 2020.
- Oversaw the full sales lifecycle across strategic accounts and key market segments. Managed growth for six sector verticals: Retail & Commerce, Life Sciences, Telco & Tech, Financial Services, Government, and Diversified Goods. Provided leadership and guidance to 6 sector heads, ensuring strong pipeline performance and sectoral focus.
- Optimized CRM-driven reporting processes, enabling weekly pipeline tracking, sales forecasting, and corrective action planning through structured dashboards and reporting frameworks.
- Developed and implemented pricing models aligned with client value delivery and competitive positioning, contributing to improved conversion and margin outcomes.
- Built and nurtured strategic relationships across the ecosystem — including alliances, vendors, NGOs, and industry leaders — to expand market reach and strengthen EY’s brand presence.
- Enhanced quality and consistency of proposals, presentations, and sales collateral, resulting in a 25%+ conversion rate on submissions and a stronger win pipeline.
Innovation Leader - Turkey Cluster
EY CESA
07.2018 - Current
- Led corporate innovation programs in EY CESA Region Turkey Cluster
- Supported EY RCP - IFRS17 global solution development and prepared growth strategy which resulted with 30+ licenses sale and implementation project in 10+ countries just in 1 year since 2021.
- Build an EY Startup & VC ecosystem and mentored 15+ Startups in cooperation with ITU, Sabanci, TeknoparkIstanbul, TechOne VC, StartersHub
- Participated Fintech Istanbul 101 Program since 2017 as a Business Model Innovation trainer
- Trained EY teams in Business Model Innovation, Value Proposition Design, Design Thinking and Design Sprint
Strategic Planning Manager - E-Ticketing Project
TFF
01.2012 - 09.2013
- Led the end-to-end procurement and contracting process for a $150M+ National E-Ticketing Project, including successful vendor selection and partnership agreements with AktifBank.
- Directed E-Ticketing consultancy efforts, working closely with project consultants to define scope of work, design tender processes, evaluate alternative funding models, and develop implementation roadmaps.
- Built and coordinated a comprehensive project ecosystem, engaging system integrators, financial institutions, payment tech firms, chip/card manufacturers, ticketing providers, and technology partners to ensure seamless project execution.
- Spearheaded funding applications and successfully secured support through FIFA and UEFA infrastructure development programs, aligning project goals with international compliance and funding criteria.
Deputy General Secretary
MUYORBIR
10.2007 - 04.2011
- Provided strategic leadership across multiple departments, aligning activities with MUYORBIR’s mission and national mandate, and ensuring operational excellence and regulatory compliance.
- Managed high-level external partnerships with other collective management organizations (CMOs) to oversee joint licensing of represented rights, serving as the key liaison between the Joint Licensing team and the Board of Directors.
- Founded and led the “M3 – Rights Monitoring System”, a corporate innovation initiative designed to enable transparent, data-driven royalty distribution. Successfully optimized performer remuneration by tracking music usage across TV and radio broadcasters.
- Led international contract negotiations with key CMOs including APOLLON (Greece), GVL (Germany), and SENA (Netherlands). Oversaw bilateral agreements and monitored royalty collection for Turkish rights used abroad, significantly expanding global revenue streams.
Entrepreneur - Co-Founder
Self Employed
09.2001 - 07.2006
- Founded and worked in 3 family businesses in Textile, Logistics and Technology sectors between 2001&2007
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Labor And Industrial Relations
Marmara University
Istanbul 09.1997 - 05.2002
Skills
Management Consulting
Business Transformation & Strategy
Innovation & Ecosystem Strategy
Business Model Innovation
Growth Strategy
Business Development
Service Design
Sales & Negotiation
Team Management
Training
Certification
EY Transformational Leadership
Timeline
Principal, Services Turkey Cluster BD Lead
Mastercard Services
09.2022 - Current
EY Transformational Leadership
12-2021
Crucial Conversations
05-2021
Think Wrong Innovation Management
12-2020
EY Design Thinking Trainer Program
10-2019
MIT's Approach to Design Thinking
08-2019
Partner, Business Transformation & Innovation
EY Consulting
07.2019 - 09.2022
Innovation Leader - Turkey Cluster
EY CESA
07.2018 - Current
EY Negotiation Trainer Program
03-2018
Strategyzer Business Model Innovation Bootcamp
06-2017
Markets & Business Development Leader
EY Consulting
10.2013 - 09.2022
Strategic Planning Manager - E-Ticketing Project
TFF
01.2012 - 09.2013
Deputy General Secretary
MUYORBIR
10.2007 - 04.2011
Entrepreneur - Co-Founder
Self Employed
09.2001 - 07.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Labor And Industrial Relations
Marmara University
09.1997 - 05.2002