Who is Levent?

I'm a Data & AI Transformation Leader with over 25 years of experience driving data initiatives and delivering business value in the enterprise data domain and hi-tech startups.

I currently hold dual part-time roles. At KPN in the Netherlands, I contribute to data mesh and governance modernization. At Accelera Digital Group (ADG), I support the market entry into Turkey — driving strategic business architecture (GTM design, executive recruitment, channel partnerships) and managing senior presales for complex enterprise cycles.

Before this I collaborated with the Chief Data Officer at Nexent Bank in the Netherlands. Together we authored the Responsible AI Policy for internal LLM usage, streamlined regulatory reporting through integrated governance instruments, optimized End-User Computing, developed onboarding protocols for digital assets, and aligned data security with the governance framework to ensure robust compliance and visibility.

Previously I served as a Data Governance Program Manager at Goldman Sachs for three years, managing a comprehensive roadmap for data lineage, permissibility, metadata cataloging, and data quality across multiple stakeholders.

Alongside data leadership, I actively support early-stage hi-tech startups — deepzen.io, thyris.ai, coremagnetb2b.com, and jobbar.ai — and contribute to the venture capital ecosystem as an advisor on data, AI, and enterprise GTM.

I'm a co-founder at Philogica, a long-time professional trainer with the Banks Association of Türkiye, and Founding Vice-Chair of DAMA Turkey. My academic background runs from Computer Science and Computer Engineering through an Executive MBA, and into a PhD candidacy in Banking.

I think in throughlines: governance is a leadership question; AI is a philosophy question; data quality is, mostly, a clarity question. The shortest path between strategy and reality is rarely a straight line — but it is always honest.