CELA Istanbul Briefing 2025: Fellows Reunite for the Annual Briefing.
2025-04-27 11:00
The Central Eurasia Leadership Alliance (CELA) convened the CELA Istanbul Briefing on 25–27 April 2025 in Istanbul, Türkiye, bringing together more than 60 fellows and guests from across Central Eurasia and beyond, including representatives of sister networks SIBF and MELA. The event provided a platform for professional exchange, collaborative learning, and strengthening of regional networks.
Over the course of three days, participants engaged in plenary sessions, group work, and networking activities. The programme featured keynote speeches by leading experts:
İlkay Demirdağ, Investment and Impact Strategist, on sustainability and impact-driven value creation.
Alex Yusupov, Director of the Russia Programme at Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, on European security and shifting global power dynamics.
Başak Karaca, Vice President of Coca-Cola Eurasia and Middle East Operating Unit, on regional business leadership and international market strategies.
Dr. Elif Koparal, Professor of Archaeology at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, on heritage and community engagement in archaeology.
Participants also visited Koç University, which hosted the CELA Leadership Academy for more than a decade, retracing the history of past Academies and reflecting on CELA’s legacy. Group work sessions encouraged practical problem-solving and peer-to-peer learning, while informal exchanges allowed for continued networking.
The programme further included cultural and social components. A highlight of the event was the boat trip and dinner on the Bosphorus, which combined cultural immersion with professional networking in an informal setting.
The CELA Istanbul Briefing reaffirmed the network’s commitment to fostering dialogue, building connections, and equipping its fellows with knowledge and partnerships to address shared regional and global challenges.
About CELA, SIBF, MELA, SEALA, NALA
Central Eurasia Leadership Alliance (CELA), founded in 2002, is the premier network for Central Eurasia’s leaders to consistently expand their leadership skills, grow their professional network, and enhance the positive impact they make on their families, businesses, and communities. With 18 academies, 697 Alumni, more than 30 Annual Reunions, and 2 Global Network Summits under its belt, CELA has demonstrated its effectiveness in developing partnerships among our members for business, professional, altruistic, and personal purposes.
SIBF (Society of International Business Fellows)is the parent organization of CELA, SEALA, MELA, and SIBF LA. Formed in the United States about 35 years ago by a group of CEOs, corporate executives, and leading entrepreneurs, SIBF was established to bridge gaps between regions through leadership and business networks.
MELA (Middle East Leadership Alliance)was launched in 2010 by SIBF and a group of Arab business leaders, modeled after CELA. MELA draws its members from across the Middle East annually for its leadership masterclass, fostering dialogue, collaboration, and regional growth.
SEALA (South East Asia Leadership Alliance)is a not-for-profit initiative launched in 2013 by SIBF. SEALA draws its members from across the South East Asia annually for their leadership workshop.