Working Experience

  • IT & Model Risk Auditor

    DLL, 2022-Present

    DLL provides a unique and dynamic international working habitat in which I have found opportunity to combine my IT audit knowledge with my passion for data and analytical models as an IT & Model Risk Auditor. While growing in this unique position, I am blessed to collaborate with such a strong team full of experts in different fields.

    My responsibilities:

    • Carried out annual risk assessments on internal models to assess the inherent and residual risks and to develop comprehensive audit plans for assessing model risk across various departments, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards (CRR, ECB Guide for internal models, etc.) and internal policies.
    • Led deep dive audit engagements on various model risk areas including but not limited to Model Risk Governance, CRCU, Model Validation, Materiality of Model Changes, and Data Management.
    • Reviewed model documentation, assumptions, and methodologies to validate the appropriateness of program governance, model design and overarching topics around Return to Compliance program.
    • Prepared comprehensive audit reports detailing findings, recommendations, and root causes to address model risks and communicated complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, facilitating understanding and buy-in for recommended actions.
    • Contributed to the audits in IT environment of the firm including IT Capacity & Performance, Firewall & IPS/IDS, User Access Management and several application specific audits.

  • IT Auditor

    KOÇ HOLDING, 2021-2022

    The organizational culture at Koc Holding encourages, supports and celebrates adaptive and innovative initiatives. In this environment, I haven’t only grown muscles in conducting IT audit, but also integrated analytical and creative approaches into transformative projects.

    My responsibilities:

    • Performed IT audits on 40+ companies from different sectors and promoted relevant issues and value-added recommendations, including overviews for executive management.
    • Directed execution of audit reviews and conduced to the development of cybersecurity maturity level dashboard, focusing on CIS CSC 20 controls while addressing cybersecurity resilience of the holding companies.
    • Facilitated the execution of Digital Transformation projects in line with strategic initiatives of the holding companies.

  • IT & Model Risk Auditor

    TÜRKİYE İŞ BANKASI, 2018-2021

    I started working as an Assistant Inspector at Isbank, the largest private bank in Turkey, and was quickly promoted to IT Auditor in a year being the earliest promoted member of the Board of Inspectors. I was a member of Data Analytics Team and was surrounded by outstanding professionals who pushed me to my limits in challenging projects.

    My responsibilities:

    • Pioneered audits of statistical models employed in credit risk predictions, credit interest rate calculations and economic data forecasts. With investigating the validation processes of the models, reported findings with high importance, which drew particular attention of senior management.
    • Conducted employee risk analysis that assigns a risk score to every employee in the organization to provide actionable recommendations for internal fraud detection, decreasing the required workforce by 80% and increasing the effectiveness of related investigations.
    • Formalized and automated 10+ fraudulent or high-risk scenarios that offer valuable insights for various audit engagements extracted from various structured and unstructured datasets.
    • Developed a machine learning model with gradient boosting algorithm to predict the branches or departments with high credit risk. The model achieved AUC Score of %96, providing valuable insights for periodic audit planning with effective allocation of auditors.
    • Executed audits with a focus on IT applications, controls, and process improvements while leveraging applicable standards and regulations (e.g., COBIT, ISO27001, NIST, GDPR).
    • Coordinated a Robotic Process Automation (RPA) project for legally mandatory audits. The robot succeeded in reducing annual IFRS9 audit time and providing 0.5 FTE saving.

  • Part-Time Intern

    Mercedes-Benz Türk, 2015-2017

    I have found a golden opportunity to work with a small and brilliant team of Business Analytics & IT Cross Functions. They have offered a working environment in which I was able to utilize initiative and creative approaches.

    My responsibilities:

    • Consolidated monthly IT project status and budged reports of 5 departmental divisions.
    • Designed content for Information Security & Awareness Project and organized specialized events for 50+ senior managers.

Education

  • Master of Arts in Economics

    BOĞAZİÇİ UNIVERSITY, 2016-2018

    Boğaziçi presents opportunities at an unprecedented scale and diversity, which pushed me to expand and challenge my worldview. It was not just a place that I have receieved my graduate and undergraduate education, it was also my home where I have learnt how to learn things and enjoy life.

    During my graduate studies, I have been privileged with teaching assistantship in an executive master’s program called “Economics and Finance”. I was providing support to instructors with the delivery of teaching as well as tutoring students by holding problem sessions.

    Here is the list of courses in which I offered my assistance:

    • Corporate Finance
    • Financial Risk Analysis and Management
    • Financial Markets
    • Quantitative Methods for Economics and Finance

    I was also lucky enough to work on my master’s thesis with phenomenal academics who are experts in their fields. With their continuous guidance and invaluable suggestions, I was able to successfully complete my thesis, “Comparing Systemic Risk Measures During a Financial Crash”.

  • Bachelors of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering

    BOĞAZİÇİ UNIVERSITY, 2011-2016

    My undergraduate years led me to discover my ambitions, gifted me with a love for learning, sharpened my questioning mind and surrounded me with a wealth of inspiring peers. In my second year at the department, I have been awarded with the title of IEEE Club Board Member in the university with the endorsement of my peers. I truly enjoyed the times I spent organizing departmental events and volunteering to assist newcomers to the club. I also had the chance to participate in the Work and Travel program and spent 4 months in Delaware, USA. Working as a sales associate in a gift shop has enriched my effective communication skills in English.