Born in 1964 in Istanbul, Zeynep Bodur Okyay graduated from the Italian High School in 1985
and earned a degree in management engineering from Istanbul Technical University in 1989. She
attended Harvard University between 1990 and 1992 and earned a graduate degree in
management.
From 1992 to 1993, Zeynep Bodur Okyay worked in various roles, including production, planning,
and management, as a management trainee at the Çanakkale Seramik factory in Çan, Çanakkale. In
1995, she was appointed as an Executive Board Member and President of Kale Group's marketing
companies. Since July 2007, she has been serving as Kale Group's President and CEO.
Zeynep Bodur Okyay is actively engaged in several NGOs, associations, foundations and chamber
boards. Some of her current roles include; Chairperson of Global Relations Forum, Board &
Executive Committee Member at Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK); Chairperson of
Turkey-Italy Business Council at DEIK; Member of Turkish Business and Industry Association
(TUSIAD). Bodur Okyay also assumed the Presidency of Assembly at Istanbul Chamber of
Industry for nine years between 2013 and 2022.
Zeynep Bodur Okyay was the President of the C20 (Civil 20) Steering Committee during Turkey's
G20.
She served as a member of the International Advisory Caucus of the B20 during Italy’s G20
Presidency in 2021, and a Co-chair of Women in Business Action Task Force of the B20 during
Indonesia’s G20 Presidency in 2022. She is currently serving as a Co-Chair of the Task Force on
Future of Work, Skilling & Mobility during India’s B20 Presidency.
She also co-founded the Harvard Alumni Group and supported the establishment of a Turkish
language chair at Harvard University.
In 2006, Zeynep Bodur Okyay was awarded the title Cavaliere del Lavoro for her contributions
and services to Turkish-Italian relations. In 2014, she was awarded the Official Order of Merit
(Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana) of the Republic of Italy. In 2010, Okyay
received the 'Turkey in Europe Franco Nobili Award' for her contributions to relations between
Turkey and the European Union and the Outstanding Service Award given by the Turkish Grand
National Assembly to persons who deliver outstanding services to Turkey on a national and
international level, contribute to promoting Turkey, and contribute to social welfare, education and
social development.
Supporting education, design, arts, development, and social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Turkey
through many initiatives under Kale Group, Zeynep Bodur Okyay serves as the Chair of Dr. (h.c.)
İbrahim Bodur Kaleseramik Education, Health, and Social Support Foundation.
Zeynep Bodur Okyay speaks fluent Italian and English. She is married to Osman Okyay,
ViceChairman and President of Technical Division, Kale Group of Companies, and they have one
child.