She witnesses tangible social impact.
Gülin Yenigün Yücel serves on the Board of KAGİDER (Turkish Women Entrepreneurs Association), an organization dedicated to advancing women’s entrepreneurship and strengthening women’s economic and social participation.
An active member since 2009, Yücel currently leads KAGİDER’s Circular Economy Committee, contributes to EU-level advocacy for women entrepreneurs, and coordinates preparations for COP31. Reflecting on her work, she notes: “I have been involved in international and EUwide initiatives focused on won the development of, the Equal Rights in the Workplace Certification program, and youth empowerment projects.”
Yücel credits Robert College with shaping her commitment to civic engagement. “RC’s strong emphasis on civic responsibility, critical thinking, and social awareness made it natural for me to see social impact as part of my life rather than something separate from my career,” she says. Through the school’s diverse community, student clubs, and volunteering opportunities, she was introduced to issues such as inequality, gender justice, and environmental sustainability, gaining both the motivation and confidence to engage in NGO work later in life.
What she finds most rewarding is witnessing tangible social impact. According to KAGİDER’s Social Return on Investment (SROI) and qualitative impact study covering 2020–2025, every 1 TL invested in the organization’s projects generates an average of 4.80 TL in social value. This impact benefits women entrepreneurs through increased skills, income, and confidence, while supporting families, creating jobs, strengthening local economies, and advancing gender equality across society
