Rana Birden

A graduate of Galatasaray University’s International Relations Department, Rana Birden furthered her academic journey by completing a Master’s Program in European Union Studies at the same university. Birden began her professional career in 1999 and, over the course of 24 years, has played leading roles in public relations, civil society, and impact investments.

Birden started her career as a Senior Research Specialist at the Economic Development Foundation, served as Assistant Project Coordinator for the European Union Civil Society Development Program, and held the role of EU Research and Documentation Coordinator at Bahçeşehir University. She also made significant contributions in her position as Director at the Foundation for Social Participation and Development.

With extensive expertise in civil society, Birden has provided consultancy to prestigious organizations such as the Sabancı Foundation, the Third Sector Foundation of Turkey, and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Between 2012 and 2014, she served as the General Director of the Global Relations Forum and took on strategic roles as an Executive Board Member for the Turkish European Foundation and C20 during 2014–2016.

Since 2016, Birden has led Corporate Communications and Impact Investments at Kale Group, bringing to life the company’s social responsibility projects and innovative business models. Describing herself as a leader who draws strength “not from problems but from responsibility,” she consistently demonstrates a vision of activating the spirit of social initiative in every step.

For the past eight years, Rana Birden has been leading Kale Group’s Corporate Communications, Public Relations, Community Management, Impact Investments, and Social Responsibility projects. She also serves as the General Director of Dr. (h.c) İbrahim Bodur Kaleseramik Education, Health, and Social Aid Foundation (KSV).