Meet the CommSapiens
Özgül Erdemli Mutlu,
Founder (Amsterdam office)
Özgül is a sustainability leader with over 25 years of experience spanning nonprofits, think tanks, media, social enterprises and start-ups. Her work focuses on transforming diverse sustainability challenges into catalysts for systemic change.
Özgül has worked in civil society organizations since 2004—first in the democratization movement, focusing on youth empowerment and women’s rights and later in the environmental movement, championing advocacy in environmental protection and climate change. She has led strategic communications efforts helping organizations articulate their purpose, build public trust and influence policy. Since 2022, she has served as a board member of Greenpeace Mediterranean. Özgül is also an active member of For Good Leaders community, reflecting her commitment to purpose-driven leadership. She supports local organizations that champion disadvantaged youth and women, finding inspiration in the courage and creativity of these communities.
Having lived and worked across Turkey, Israel, Iraq, the UK, the US and the Netherlands, Özgül brings a global perspective and a deep understanding of cross-cultural dynamics to her work. She combines expertise in cross-sector partnerships with a strategic communications mindset—mobilizing coalitions, designing narratives and building campaigns that drive impact and engagement. She has a Master’s degree in History and Theory of International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and a BA in Political Science and International Relations from Boğaziçi University. Based in Amsterdam, Özgül continues to build bridges between ideas, people and action on a global scale—thriving as a political animal who runs on strong coffee, fiercely intelligent fiction and just the right amount of chocolate to sweeten the struggle.
Şeyda Taluk,
Senior Partner (Istanbul office)
Şeyda Taluk is an internationally recognized communications expert with deep expertise in political communication, leadership messaging, stakeholder engagement and lobbying. With a career spanning more than three decades, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the field of political communications in Turkey.
Today, she continues to advise public institutions, private sector leaders, and civic organizations—helping to design transformative campaigns and inclusive communication strategies across sectors. Prior to joining CommSapiens, she has led stakeholder engagement and communications for major international initiatives, including EBRD, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Global Future Cities Programme in Turkey, where she developed municipal-level communication strategies, built institutional capacity and designed awareness campaigns focused on sustainable urban development and mobility.
Şeyda is the author of the best-selling “How to Win an Election: 101 Tips,” a trusted guide among political strategists. A gifted storyteller, she also co-authored the autobiography of acclaimed filmmaker Ömer Vargı, “Bu Filmde Ben de Vardım” (I Was Part of This Film), and authored Turkey’s first municipal stakeholder engagement toolkit, published by the Turkish Economic, Social and Political Research Foundation (TÜSES).
A graduate of Marmara University’s Faculty of Communication, she holds a master’s degree in Political and Juridical Sciences from Paris 8 University. A frequent political commentator, Şeyda penned several articles and has made numerous appearances on national TV channels, in newspapers and across various media platforms—offering insights on political strategy, democratic participation, and communication trends.
When she’s not desifning strategies or campaigns, Şeyda loves to travel, especially to Paris, a city close to her heart where she spent formative years. A gifted storyteller, she finds joy in writing, listening to people’s stories and uncovering the human moments that often go untold, whether in a quiet café or a bustling city square.
Özgür Ünal Öztuna,
Partner, Economy & Finance Lead (Doha office)
Özgür is a highly experienced finance professional and strategic consultant with over 25 years in the financial services sector. She holds a B.A. in Economics and Business Management with a minor in Communication from Luther College, Iowa, USA.
Her career spans leadership and advisory roles in Turkey, the U.S., and Russia, equipping her with a broad international perspective and cross-cultural fluency. Currently a Partner and Finance & Economy Lead at CommSapiens, Özgür advises clients on corporate strategy, political and economic analysis, sustainability and leadership communication. Her approach blends analytical rigor with pragmatic insight to help organizations navigate complex financial and geopolitical landscapes.
Prior to joining CommSapiens, she held senior roles at institutions including QNB Invest, Citibank, HSBC, İş Investment and Koç Securities. At QNB Invest, she served as Senior Vice President and Head of Domestic Sales, overseeing a network of 500+ branches and 15 investment centers. She played a pivotal role in the firm's evolution into a full-service investment house—spearheading product innovation, strategic planning, and talent development.
Her tenure at Citibank Russia’s International Wealth Management Desk provided her with deep exposure to global investment practices and a diverse expatriate client base. Across all her roles, she has demonstrated expertise in investment strategy, team leadership, client relationship management, and regulatory compliance.
Özgür holds both the Advanced Level and Derivatives Certificates from Turkey’s Capital Markets Board. Fluent in English, she is known for her collaborative client relationships, strategic clarity, and results-driven mindset.
When she's not decoding economic shifts or fine-tuning strategy, Özgür is most likely planning her next legendary party—where sharp wit, bold playlists, and killer mezze always make a market-beating return.
N. Kerem Üler
Legal Counsel (Amsterdam Office)
Kerem is a Turkish-law qualified lawyer and entrepreneur with a strong international orientation, currently based in the Netherlands. With broad experience across M&A, corporate structuring, employment law, real estate and start-up advisory, he supports clients in navigating complex legal and regulatory landscapes—while also contributing directly to the management and growth of businesses.
Over the past decade, Kerem has advised a wide range of clients—from early-stage ventures to multinational corporations—on market entry, strategic partnerships, and regulatory compliance in dynamic legal environments. His recent focus lies at the intersection of business and sustainability, particularly in guiding organizations through the implications of EU regulatory frameworks such as the CSRD, CSDDD and CBAM and their impact on global corporate structures.
In addition to his legal practice, Kerem does angel investing as well as strategic consultancy for start-ups, bringing a commercially astute and strategically minded approach to every endeavor. He combines legal precision with entrepreneurial insight to help businesses grow sustainably and compliantly in an increasingly complex world.
Kerem earned his Bachelor’s degree in Law from the Eastern Mediterranean University, and his Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Business Law, with a specialization in Climate Change and Corporations, from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam). He is also a Partner at an Istanbul based lawfirm where he advises clients on ESG related matters among others.
When he's not dissecting historical power shifts, Kerem is passionately comparing Galatasaray’s European triumphs to Ajax’s total football legacy—convinced that understanding the rise of the Dutch Golden Age is just as important as remembering the 2000 UEFA Cup Final.