My Story:

Born in İzmir, I grew up navigating Istanbul’s vibrant, ever-evolving streets—a city rich in diverse history, art, and culture. The stark contrasts of secular and sacred, East and West, made it endlessly fascinating and enriching, yet at times, alienating. As a teenager grappling with multiple identities, I often felt invisible. Amidst this turbulence, our home life remained a constant, anchored by daily rituals of literature, art, music, and spirited dinner-table debates. Engaging with the arts and humanities not only shaped who I am but also became my first tools for resilience, teaching me that meaning can be forged even when a sense of belonging is uncertain.

At the American College (Boğaziçi University), I immersed myself in philosophy and the social sciences. Simultaneously, I mentored high-school students from underserved communities and fellow college students. Serving as a “family away from family” for them clarified my life’s purpose: to create environments where people feel supported, valued, and empowered to flourish. This passion for service even unexpectedly shaped my personal life. An exchange-program classmate, sensing a connection, told her brother in the U.S., “Even though I don’t know much about her, there’s a student here who reminds me of you.” He flew to Turkey, and we met. After an instant connection, he proposed on the very day we met.

Marriage brought me to Philadelphia, where my husband and I dedicated ourselves to interfaith and intercultural dialogue nonprofits. Still in our early twenties, we prioritized service over personal comfort. A new chapter began when he joined the U.S. Army JAG Corps. Military life has since taken our family of five across several U.S. states, Germany, and now Egypt, surrounding us with communities united by a spirit of selfless service.

This journey has had its challenges: immigrant stress, young parenthood far from support networks, constant moves, and political upheaval back home that deeply affected my family. Conventional therapy offered only temporary relief; Positive Psychology, however, felt like a vital breath of fresh air. Finding positive psychology not only helped me, but it also became my passion. So, I enrolled in the Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program at the University of Pennsylvania, where I studied under Dr. Martin Seligman. This scientific approach resonated with every facet of my life—guiding my own path to flourishing and expanding my capabilities and reach for serving others.

Since completing the program, I have designed and facilitated resilience, wellness, and inclusion programs for soldiers, spouses, educators, administrators, and teenagers in over a dozen countries. Each new duty station reinforces a fundamental truth: when individuals align their strengths, stories, communities, and challenges, flourishing becomes possible—even in transient or high-stress environments.

Today, I feel profoundly fortunate to apply these insights as a facilitator for The Flourishing Center’s Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP) program. My goal is to walk alongside fellow learners, translating evidence-based techniques into everyday practices that empower individuals, families, and organizations to thrive, no matter where life plants them.

Morning Ritual:

My day starts with morning meditation and prayer, grounding myself before the rush begins. As a family, we share long, mindful hugs before heading into our day—a small ritual that fills our home with warmth. After that, I’m off and running, helping my three kids get ready for school.

A Little Known Fact About Me…

I like exercising through a Virtual Reality fitness app. I’m a huge The Lord of The Rings fan. I love scuba diving and snorkeling, and playing Stardew Valley with my kids.