Burak AKUSTA

Executive Technology Leader | AI Governance & Ethics Strategist | Digital Transformation Advisor | Keynote Speaker | Technology Strategist @İstanbul-Dubai-London

Istanbul, Türkiye

About

As a technology executive with over 25 years of experience spanning IT, banking, fintech, and consulting , I specialize in leading organizations through complex digital transformations and scaling businesses across global markets. My career is defined by bridging the gap between innovative technology and strategic business objectives, moving companies from legacy systems to agile, future-proof architectures. Currently, my strategic focus lies at the intersection of emerging technologies, scalable architectures, and corporate governance. I am deeply invested in Technology Policy, Innovation Management, and the evolving landscape of AI Ethics and Law. I believe that true digital transformation isn't just about migrating to Google Cloud, AWS, or Oracle solutions —it's about establishing the right ethical frameworks and governance to use these platforms responsibly. Whether it is spearheading open banking initiatives , conceptualizing impactful mobile application ecosystems, or assessing tech startups for venture capital investments, my goal is to drive sustainable, technology-led growth. I thrive on building, scaling, and mentoring cross-functional, high-performing teams. From establishing Centers of Excellence to driving major Agile transformations, my leadership philosophy is rooted in empowering people and fostering a culture of continuous innovation. I am always eager to connect with industry peers, innovators, and leaders who are passionate about shaping the future of technology and enterprise strategy. Specialties: Digital Transformation | IT Governance & Technology Policy | AI Ethics | Cloud Strategy (GCP, AWS) | FinTech & Banking Technologies, M&A Tech Due Diligence | Executive Leadership.

Experience

  • Global IT International (Full-time · 3 yrs 11 mos)
    • Executive Vice President, Google Cloud, Google Workspace & WEOLL
      Dec 2024 - Present · 1 yr 7 mos

      As the EVP of Sales, Marketing, and Cloud Engineering Teams at Global IT Bilişim Hizmetleri, I spearheaded the strategic direction for Google Cloud, Google Workspace, and WEOLL. My role involved leading cross-functional teams to drive sales strategy, account management, and technical enablement, resulting in significant revenue growth and market expansion.

    • Cloud Engineering Director / CTO
      Aug 2022 - Dec 2024 · 2 yrs 5 mos

      In my role as a Cloud Engineering Director at Global IT Bilişim Hizmetleri, I led a team of technical experts to support clients in cloud transformation, Infra/Devops, and Google Cloud solutions. I spearheaded the implementation of GCP projects and provided technical consultancy services to ensure customer satisfaction.

  • Executive Vice President at Weoll
    Jan 2025 - Present · 1 yr 6 mos

    • Oversee the sales & marketing of WEOLL, a cutting-edge iBPM tool utilizing Agentic AI principles. • Spearheaded initiatives to digitalize corporate processes through a low code-no code platform, enhancing application deployment speed. • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless usability of enterprise applications on both web and mobile platforms.

  • SEPA Cyber Technologies (Istanbul, Türkiye)
    • Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)
      Apr 2022 - Aug 2022 · 5 mos

      Chief Commercial Officer responsible for all global sales and business developmet activities.

    • Regional Sales Director
      Feb 2022 - Apr 2022 · 3 mos

      SEPA Cyber is a FinTech company, part of a Multinational Group operating in more than 32 countries. We offer innovative, modular and scalable IT solutions to the banking & financial sector, governmental sector and retail sector. As a regional sales director, I am responsible for the sales and business development activities in Turkey (and neighbourhood countries), Middle East, Africa. to get more information about SEPA and our products, please visit www.sepa-cyber.com

  • Mentor (Volunteer) at Hackquarters
    Jun 2021 - Apr 2022 · 11 mos

    Mentor in Hackquarter's Innovation Programs

  • Aktif Bank (4 yrs 1 mo)
    • OpenBanking & Entrepreneurship Senior Director
      May 2021 - Nov 2021 · 7 mos

      Responsible for development of Open Banking Strategies and Startup / Entrepreneur Ecosystem development of Aktif Bank in parallel to Managing Director role in HMC Digital. Also as a member of investment committee of Corporate Venture Capital in Aktif Bank, play a decision maker role for the potential startup investments of the bank.

    • Strategic Advisor/Senior Director
      Mar 2020 - May 2021 · 1 yr 3 mos

      Directly reporting to CEO of Aktif Bank. I am responsible for the Strategic Investments of Aktif Bank as an investor on: Information Technology, Digitalization, Edge Technologies, Startups Managing the processes for the new investments and conducting Technical Due Diligence, M&A Processes, Business Planning, Strategic Planning, Innovation, Strategic Partnership Establishment, Key Successful Projects under this role: - Establishment of Partnership of Aktif Bank, Hitachi and Mitsubishi on Biometric ID Verification Technologies - Establishment and creation of the strategy of CVC called Technology Fund under Aktif Bank to invest on Technology companies and startups #strategy #innovation #investment #international #japan #relationshipmanagement

    • Senior Director of Data Management, UPT, EKent, Test and Quality Management, R&D
      Nov 2017 - Mar 2020 · 2 yrs 5 mos

      Managing Director in IT Department of Aktif Bank and directed the teams below (total of 35 members): - Data Management, BI and DWH, Data Analytics, Reporting Conducted data management platform projects, Installation and Application of QlikSense App for Retail Banking, - Database Administration Consolidation of Databases under Exadata, Creation and Migration to PostGreSQL and installation of MongoDB - UPT (Universal Payment Transfer) Software Development Managing the development and analysis team of UPT (which is a remittance company of AktifBank). Integration with several international money transfer institutions. Preparation of RFP for UPT Mobile app (Uption) and selection of the vendor and managed the UPTion project. - Test and QA Management Merged all testers in IT Team. Created test automation (for both Mobile and Web Apps) environment with the test data providing system. Established load test environment, created testing scripts with JMeter. Improved the team's knowledge in SQL and high tech testing methodologies. Extended the number of team members with outsourcing. - R & D Center Management Applied and got acceptance several TEYDEB projects from Tubitak. Applied to European Union Project called Infinitech and got 300.000 EUR support from EU. Also Senior Director for : - Managing New M&A and JV of Aktif Bank and Çalık Holding (Establishment of Secom Turkiye abd HMC Digital) - Conducting technical Due Diligence for new M&A's - Member of Investment Committee of Aktif Bank's VC - Evaluation of Startups to be invested.