Ayşe Yürekli holds a BA in Political Science and International Relations, an MA in Conflict Analysis and Resolution, and an MSc in European Studies. She was the first ever trainee from Turkey of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR). She has 10+ years professional experience in Istanbul, Athens, Gothenburg, Brussels, and Berlin, and advanced communication skills and intercultural competence. She is currently a senior expert at the Germany Representation of TUSIAD (Turkish Industry and Business Association) and coordinator of BBI (Berlin Bosphorus Initiative), working at the intersection of policy and business in the political core of Berlin. She regularly liaises with German associations, foundations, think tanks, and other stakeholders. She is a freshly naturalized German and EU citizen with Turkish roots.