AI Strategist · Trainer · Consultant · Speaker

Defne İncekara

I bring AI to companies with real results. From senior executives to teams, from trainers to individuals, I give everyone AI skills they can put to use from day one.

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Who is

A translator who simplifies the complex.

Defne İncekara, as an AI strategist, trainer and consultant, makes complex AI concepts accessible, practical and immediately usable for organizations and individuals. She provides enterprise AI training and AI strategy consulting to Turkey's leading companies; as an advisor and investor, she shows leaders how to cut through the noise and apply AI to real work.

Having previously served as Director of CRM & Digital Services at Ericsson and Director of Big Data & Analytics for the MMEA region at IBM, Defne has guided founders and teams in turning advanced AI into scalable, applicable solutions. Early in her career she built AI products in big data and analytics at IBM — an experience that gave her a deep, hands-on understanding of how technology translates into business results.

As an AI trainer and speaker, Defne gives organizations clear frameworks and step-by-step guidance to move from experimentation to implementation, helping teams take the next step in their AI transformation with confidence.

My approach

I work with two things. The first is the AI-First Index: my assessment that measures an organization's AI maturity across 6 dimensions. The second is the Value Ladder: a staged path from free content to a workshop, from consulting to a transformation program. We measure first, then take the right step.

Certifications

  • Harvard Business School AI
  • Vjal Institute AI
  • Outskill AI Generalist
  • ICF Accredited Professional Coach
  • John Maxwell Leadership Coach

Memberships & Roles

  • Platin Yaka
  • Arya Women Investment Platform
  • Member of the OSTİM Technical University Advisory Board
  • Özyeğin University Center for Continuing Education, AI Trainer
  • Member of the İKG Advisory Board
  • Vjal Institute Super Trainer
Résumé

From enterprise technology to AI, 25 years.

At IBM, Ericsson and Vodafone I led multi-million-dollar programs across the MMEA & CEE regions. Today I use that experience to bring AI to organizations with real results.

Career

  • 2024–Defne İncekara AcademyFounder · AI Trainer & Strategy Consultant
  • 2024–Vjal InstituteSuper Trainer
  • 2023–2025EricssonMMEA Digital Solutions Business Development Director
  • 2015–2018EricssonDirector, Global Consulting Center of Excellence & MMEA CRM and Digital Solutions Director
  • 2010–2015IBMBig Data and Analytics, CEE & MMEA
  • 2006–2010VodafoneSenior Manager, Business Transformation & Excellence
  • 2004–2006Borusan TelekomBusiness Transformation Manager
  • 2002–2004PwCSenior Consultant
  • 2001–2002AndersenConsultant

Education

  • 2024Harvard Business SchoolArtificial Intelligence Program
  • 1997–2001Koç UniversityB.Sc. in Mathematics (full scholarship)

Expertise

Enterprise AI training Strategy & transformation consulting Executive coaching (ICF) SaaS & Big Data MMEA & CEE
In the media and on stage

Watch.

AI: Friend or Foe?
Friend or Foe? · Corporate Governance Summit
AI in Daily Life
AI in Daily Life · EKOTÜRK
AI and the Davos Agenda
AI and the Davos Agenda · EKOTÜRK
AI Guide for SMEs
AI Guide for SMEs · Kobi Dünyası
TEDxOSTIMKeynoteKoç UniversityDoğuş OtomotivKAGİDERYeditepeİYTEOtokoçArya AIİnci FoundationGenç 2030
Corporate GovernanceKeller WilliamsKW KentYeni Bir LiderICFMinistry of Youth and SportsTIHCAD AydınTIHCADYeni Nesil 2000Genç 2030 BursaİKGDefne İncekara konferans sahnesindeGENÇ2030 GUHEM etkinliğiİnsan Zekasının Üç Boyutu sunumuİşin Ekonomisi konuşması
Organizations I've worked with

77 organizations, from every sector.

Holdings

Kibar Holding · Doğan Holding · Bilgili Holding · Sinpaş Holding · Yaşar Holding

Retail & Consumer

Aymarka (Network, Divarese, Que) · BB Perakende (Brooks Brothers, Ted Baker) · Beymen Group · Boyner Group · BR Mağazacılık (Altınyıldız Classics, Beymen Business) · BSH · Coty · Dimes · Esma Dereboy Tasarım · Four&More · İpekyol Group · Karma Marka (Lee & Wrangler)

Real Estate & REITs

Akiş GYO & Akyaşam · Keller Williams · Luxeria GYO

Engineering & Consultancy

Dolsar Mühendislik · Sera Grup · Temelsu · Yüksel Proje

Automotive

Doğuş Otomotiv · Otokoç

Manufacturing & Industry

EVIO · Friterm · Intermat Esnek Ambalaj · Sigma Process Technologies · Sinerji Grup · Tibet Makina

Finance

Akbank · Credit Europe Bank · Ekspo Faktoring · Finagro

Tourism · Energy · Chemicals

The Marmara Group · Kontek Enerji · Soditaş · Mercan Kimya

Logistics & Maritime

Armona Denizcilik · Bofor Lojistik · Nice Lojistik

IT / ICT

Bilkom · CCG Customer Care · Global Bilgi · sahibinden.com

Education & Higher Education

İstanbul Aydın U. · İYTE · Koç U. · Nişantaşı U. · OSTİM Technical U. · Özyeğin U. · Yeditepe U. · Yeni Nesil 2000

Associations & NGOs

Arya Genç · ATAP · Büyük Kulüp · IKG · İnci Foundation · KAGİDER · Corporate Governance Association · PMI · TIHCAD · Yeni Bir Lider

Public Sector

Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Youth and Sports · Konya Metropolitan Municipality · KOSKİ

Participant and client testimonials

From you.

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"We had a productive training process with Ms. Defne to assess global developments in the world of agentic AI and the sector-wide impact of pioneering applications. Her high energy and hands-on command of different tools made a valuable contribution that reinforced our current logistics and spare-parts vision."

Serkan CebelliDoğuş Otomotiv

"The AI training we did with Defne was a truly valuable experience for me. What I valued most was that she didn't just explain the topic — she helped me keep my finger on the pulse of the field and feel current. Her delivery is remarkably clear and fluent; she brings even difficult subjects down to a language everyone can understand."

Nukte ToyProject Development Director · Bofor Lojistik

"We received AI for Marketing training from Defne and I'd highly recommend it, especially for anyone struggling to bridge today's fast-paced strategic and tech developments with their day-to-day reality on the ground. With her strong grasp of where AI is heading and a hands-on display of specific tools, she gave us a concise overview and real cases that generated real benefits — for our business and for us as individuals. In conclusion, her session is a great way both to sanity-check your current AI readiness and get a few wake-up calls."

Murat HatipoğluSenior Vice President · Head of Cooling Business Unit, Emerging Markets

"Some people stay in your mind as much for the impact they leave as for the work they do. For me, dear Defne İncekara is one of them. Everyone who attended the AI Workshop we held at İKG shared one thing in common: they now look at AI differently. We're so glad you're here, Defne."

Ferhan Sivri AvcıChair of the Board · İKG

"It was a very productive training — practical, interactive and never stuck in theory. It helped our teammates imagine how to use AI beyond a simple chatbot and how to digitalize their processes with AI agents."

Aykut DedeIT and Digital Transformation Manager · Mercan Kimya

"After the training, I built four different applications with AI development tools and integrated AI into the daily work of our organization."

Cüneyt UsluChairman · Argion Bilişim & CCG Customer Care

"We quickly learned which AI platform to use in which situation. We launched our AI pilots and saw significant improvements in our business processes."

Reha ÖzkanHead of BU · BSH Türkiye

"I've been using AI actively for two years, yet the training gave me a completely different perspective. We established standardization in the team, and both speed and accuracy improved."

Ergin AydınCo-Founder · HavsaTekstil

"We became able to make well-judged tool choices in our software development processes. We achieved clear improvements in project management and documentation."

Cahit ÇelebierSoftware Development Manager

"It took us from seeing AI as just using ChatGPT to a much broader, more strategic perspective. It created strong awareness across the team."

İdil Pora ÖlmezBoard Member · Yüksel Proje A.Ş.

"It took the awareness we already thought we had to a much higher level. Our integration process gained real momentum."

Levent SoygürAgency Owner · WON Ajans

"Thanks to the training I've attended, a single day started to feel worth a month to me; once I truly learned everything I thought I already knew, I realized how much I didn't know."

Sernaz LurciLearning & Development Assistant Manager · Sinpaş Holding

"As someone who actively uses AI, I didn't know what to expect from the training. Defne's training opened up dimensions of AI I hadn't seen before."

Mesut DemirbilekFounder & Chairman · My Security Analytics | FinalCheck | SecuRitma

"She explained very clearly how we can use AI tools according to our needs. It was an immensely useful training."

Sela HabifFounder · Echo Coaching & NETTALKS

"In my fast-paced work life, she taught me how to integrate AI into my real work. It doubled my speed in the real estate sector."

Buket Öz KırtayReal Estate Agent · Keller Williams Platin

"I was already using Claude and ChatGPT in my daily life. But today's training was a deeper, more hands-on experience. We dove into areas I'd never explored; my horizons expanded and I had the chance to try out new fields."

Woman EntrepreneurParticipant

"From morning to evening, I didn't notice how the day flew by. It turns out I only knew ChatGPT. Now I'll move forward on this path with more confidence, with clearer knowledge and knowing which tools to sign up for."

Gamze Meral KaptanParticipant

"I thought I was using AI, but with this training I realized I actually knew very little; now I've truly started to learn."

Woman EntrepreneurParticipant

"From ChatGPT to AI agents, the doors of the AI world opened with a completely new perspective. With her experience and energy, she made us all say, 'The future is here!'"

Esra ÖztiryakiParticipant

"It was the best AI training I've had in a long time."

İdil DorsanFounding Member Platin Yaka · Advisory Board Remus Energy · LP Arya VC · Mentor Tech Istanbul

"We discussed how we can design the future together in AI and the textile sector. Eight hours packed full of value."

Gizem YıldıranDesign Director FGA Textile · Creative Advisor Jendue

"Every minute was packed with value; I hadn't attended such a content-rich training in a long time."

Av. Arb. Gamze Meran KaptanParticipant

"It was a mind-opening conversation on AI literacy, current applications and future projections. We didn't notice how the time flew by."

Dr. Cemran ÖnderFounder & Director · KültürHub

"Our view of AI shifted from an operational tool to a strategic priority. From technology to HR, from procurement to brand, everyone now writes prompts, produces content and automates their processes. The most visible change was in the requests coming in; the questions we get are now far more business-focused."

Barış TopuzluDirector of Technology and Digital Strategy · The Marmara Group

Let the next reference be your organization.

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