Robert Yüksel YILDIRIM
Chairman of the Garip & Zeycan YILDIRIM Foundation
Robert Yüksel YILDIRIM serves as the Chairman of the Garip & Zeycan YILDIRIM Foundation. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Istanbul Technical University in 1983 and his master's degree from Oregon State University in 1989. Robert began his career as a design and project engineer at Paceco Corporation, where he worked for five years.
Since joining YILDIRIM Group in 1993, Robert has held the position of President and CEO, guiding the family-owned company’s growth. He also serves as a Board Member of CMA CGM Group, where YILDIRIM Group holds a 24% stake, and is the Owner and President of Samsunspor Football Club. Additionally, he chairs the Türkiye-Mexico Business Council at the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK).
Zeycan Rochelle YILDIRIM
Vice Chair of the Garip & Zeycan YILDIRIM Foundation
Zeycan Rochelle YILDIRIM is the Vice Chair and Executive Director of the Garip & Zeycan YILDIRIM Foundation. In her role, she drives the Foundation’s strategic initiatives, focusing on education, youth development, and gender equality.
As the Chief Marketing Officer of YILDIRIM Group, Zeycan oversees all aspects of internal and external communications and manages the corporate branding. Her work has been instrumental in enhancing the Group’s public image.
Zeycan holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing from Georgia State University. She joined the Garip & Zeycan YILDIRIM Foundation in 2018, where she rebranded its identity and championed initiatives to address social injustices. A passionate advocate for gender equality, Zeycan has become a prominent voice in raising awareness about women’s issues in male-dominated fields and combating violence against women.
Her efforts include the creation of “The World’s Heaviest Jersey” for YILPORT Samsunspor Football Club to highlight women’s rights issues. Under her leadership, the Foundation has launched impactful programs such as English W/Tech, aimed at addressing the need for improved English education in Türkiye.
Özer ÖZ
Board Member of the Garip & Zeycan YILDIRIM Foundation
Özer ÖZ is a Board Member of the Garip & Zeycan YILDIRIM Foundation. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Management Engineering from Istanbul Technical University in 1992 and a master’s degree in Finance from Golden Gate University, San Francisco in 1995.
Özer joined YILDIRIM Group in 2003 as General Coordinator of Gemlik Gübre, the Group’s fertilizer production subsidiary. Over the years, he was appointed Vice President of YILDIRIM Group, responsible for business development, and served as Chief Operating Officer. He has also been a board member for various YILDIRIM companies.
Currently, Özer serves as the Chairman of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) Türkiye-Colombia Portugal Business Council.