Tayfun Topkoc

Tayfun leads PeopleStrong’s international expansion strategy in high-growth markets

Work Mode

With over 20 years in technology and innovation, Topkoc has held prominent senior management roles in sales, marketing, business development, country and regional leadership. His deep business acumen and strategic vision have consistently enabled organizations to scale, transform, and accelerate market penetration.

Prior to joining PeopleStrong, Topkoç served as Executive Vice President of Global Growth at Akinon, spearheading the company’s growth initiatives across Middle East, Europe and Asia. Before Akinon, he was the Managing Director for the Middle East, Africa, Turkey, and Central Asia at SAS, where he led large-scale data and analytics transformation projects. He also served as Group Chief Digital Officer at Bee’ah Group in the UAE, and previously held key senior leadership roles at SAP in the Gulf region and at HP across Turkey and the Middle East.

A highly recognized leader, Topkoc has received multiple industry awards, including Most Successful CDO in the Middle East (2018), and has been featured in Fast Company’s Digital 100 list in both 2020 and 2021. He contributed to the business community as a non-executive board member in several influential chambers and industry organizations.

Topkoc holds an Executive MBA from Koç University, an M.Sc. in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, and a B.Sc. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering.

Life Mode

Tayfun believes that the secret to a high-impact life lies in the intersection of continuous learning and physical vitality. For him, true success isn’t just about reaching the summit; it’s about the agility to stay there while lifting others up along the way.

When he steps away from his executive responsibilities, Tayfun finds his rhythm on the tennis court,  where he sharpens the same focus and strategic thinking he brings to business. His curiosity knows no borders; he is an avid explorer of new cultures, constantly seeking fresh perspectives that challenge his worldview.

Tayfun is deeply committed to shaping the next generation of global talent. He pours his energy into:

• Mentoring young leaders and Executive MBA students to navigate complex corporate landscapes.
• Distilling leadership wisdom from a constant rotation of books to share actionable insights with his team and  peers