Selen Ucak

Creating Global Ties for Social Impact

I develop and lead international initiatives,
design and conduct research, and mobilize partners
at the intersection of private sector engagement,
inclusive economic development, and social impact.

Currently, my work is focused on impact investing and entrepreneurship,
global forced displacement, and the Middle East and Africa.

I frequently speak and publish on these topics and promote an inclusive impact ecosystem
as a Vital Voices Visionaries Fellow and contributor to the Impact Entrepreneur magazine.

Learn about my experience in detail here and reach out for collaboration opportunities.
Thought Leadership
Highlights of my research and writing on topics ranging from entrepreneurship to impact investing

Refugee-Led SMEs
A Market Assessment of Syrian SMEs in Turkey
Findings about economic contributions of small and medium-sized enterprises led by Syrian refugee and migrant entrepreneurs in Turkey
Diversity & Inclusion
The Untapped Potential of Supplier Diversity in Turkey
Research brief on the global practices of supplier diversity, including refugee inclusion, and its potential in Turkey
Refugee Lens Investing
Unlocking Refugee Self-Reliance
in the UK
A market assessment of Refugee Lens Investing opportunities from employment to entrepreneurship
Refugee-Lens Enterprises
Investor Showcase Publication
A refugee-lens small business growth program, culminating in a showcase to facilitate connections with impact investors and other support
Social Enterprise & Impact Investing
Balancing Markets and Values
A pioonering report about impact ventures, researched and co-authored with Catherine H. Clark, in collaboration with Investors' Circle and Social Venture Network
Professional Highlights
Experienced in organizational leadership, program design and execution, partnerships,
business development, research, and external relations
Entrepreneurship and Strategy Lead,
Refugee Investment Network
I lead development of regional refugee lens investing programs and research; advise impact investors and corporate impact initiatives; establish partnerships; build a global community of refugee-owned and refugee-supporting businesses and social enterprises.
Program Director,
Building Markets
My leadership contributed to securing multi-year, multi-million-dollar grants for projects in Turkey and Jordan, providing support and visibility to over 2,000 refugee-led businesses to create local jobs.
Executive Director,
The American Turkish Society
I mobilized supporters around a new vision of US-Turkey relations and established a high-profile annual event celebrating corporate leaders and partnerships. Wide-ranging programs I designed and executed included policy discussions, conferences, educational grants, and cultural events.
Consultant & Advisor
Participated as an external expert for global organizations, including IOM, Village Capital,
World Economic Forum, and SPARK.
Education
Trained in business, economics, and social enterprise

Columbia Business School
MBA
Social Enterprise, Management. Entrepreneurship
Beta Gamma Sigma

Tashman Turkish Fellowship, awarded to students with promise of continued high achievement, a sincere desire to improve the lives of others, and leadership skills

Tamer Center for Social Enterprise
Teaching/Research Assistant in Social Entrepreneurship; Leadership in Net Impact and Global Social Venture Competition; Summer Fellow at Endeavor Global

Impact Investing (Columbia Business School Executive Education, May 2023)

Colorado College
BA
Economics
Summa Cum Laude

International Merit Scholarship
International Advisory Board for Alumni
Senior Thesis Award in Economics: Migration and Labor Markets
CONNECT
Let's connect and explore what we can do together

Creating Global Ties for Social Impact

I develop and lead international initiatives,

design and conduct research, and mobilize partners

at the intersection of private sector engagement,

inclusive economic development, and social impact.

Currently, my work is focused on impact investing and entrepreneurship,

global forced displacement, and the Middle East and Africa.

I frequently speak and publish on these topics and promote an inclusive impact ecosystem

as a Vital Voices Visionaries Fellow and contributor to the Impact Entrepreneur magazine.

Thought Leadership

Highlights of my research and writing on topics ranging from entrepreneurship to impact investing

Refugee-Led SMEs

A Market Assessment of Syrian SMEs in Turkey

Diversity & Inclusion

The Untapped Potential of Supplier Diversity in Turkey

Refugee Lens Investing

Unlocking Refugee Self-Reliance in the UK

Refugee-Lens Enterprises

Investor Showcase Publication

Social Enterprise & Impact Investing

Balancing Markets and Values

Professional Highlights

Experienced in organizational leadership, program design and execution, partnerships, business development, research, and external relations

Entrepreneurship and Strategy Lead,Refugee Investment Network

Program Director,Building Markets

Executive Director,The American Turkish Society

Consultant & Advisor

Education

Trained in business, economics, and social enterprise

Columbia Business School

MBA

Colorado College

BA

CONNECT

Let's connect and explore what we can do together

Unlocking Refugee Self-Reliance
in the UK

Experienced in organizational leadership, program design and execution, partnerships,
business development, research, and external relations

Entrepreneurship and Strategy Lead,
Refugee Investment Network

Program Director,
Building Markets

Executive Director,
The American Turkish Society