Senay Ataselim Yilmaz

About Senay Ataselim Yilmaz

I lead Turkish Philanthropy Funds as its Executive Director and have been instrumental in shaping the organization since its inception. I am a writer and lecturer, and a passionate advocate for social change, with a focus on strategic philanthropy, cross-sector collaboration, and community-driven impact.My work has been recognized with the 2025 Beacon Award presented by the Ellis Island Honors Society. I have also been named an International Herst Fellow by the Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society and selected as a Young Society Leader by the American-Turkish Society.I hold a Ph.D. in Political Science from the Graduate Center, CUNY, and have completed executive education programs at Columbia Business School and Harvard Business School. I am also a trained yoga and mindfulness instructor, and I integrate contemplative practices into my leadership and teaching.

Experience

1. Chief Member

   Chief

   Jan 2022 — Present

   Chief is a private network built to drive more women into positions of power and keep them there. Chief is the only organization specifically designed for senior women leaders to strengthen their leadership journey, cross-pollinate ideas across industries, and effect change from the top down.

Education

• The Graduate Center, City University of New York

  PhD, Political Science

• Yoga Farm Ithaca

  200 Hour Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher Training, Yoga Teacher Training and MIndfulness

• Columbia Business School

  Certificate of Business Excellence, Senior Leaders Program for Nonprofit Professionals

  2020

• Harvard Business School

  Certificate of Management Excellence

• Ankara University

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Political Science and Public Administration

• Baruch College

  MPA, Public Policy and Non-Profit Management

Skills

• Nonprofit Organizations
• Leadership
• Grant Writing
• International Development
• Management
• Program Development
• St
• Social Enterprise
• Non-Governmental Organizations (Ngos)
• Women Empowerment
• Public/Private Partnerships
• Public Policy
• Nonprofits
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Fundraising
• Community Engagement
• Planned Giving
• Marketing Strategy
• Social Innovation
• Teaching
• Higher Education
• Program Management
• Volunteer Management
• Project Management
• Strategic Planning
• Organizational Development
• Strategic Partnerships
• Non-Profit Leadership
• Event Planning
• Change Management
• Board Development
• Social Media Marketing
• Grants
• Event Management
• Capacity Building
• Non-Profit Administration
• Resource Development
• Board Relations
• Public Speaking