FATIMA ZEHRA KALKAN
Dubai,UAE
Summary
Strategic Sales Manager with over 20 years of experience, including 15 years in the aviation sector. Proven track record in driving revenue growth, managing high-value B2B partnerships, leading sales and marketing teams in Dubai, and supporting sales offices in the Middle East. Extensive background in NGO leadership, international human rights advocacy, public relations, editorial management, and voluntary activities across the UAE, Europe, and the US.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Sales Manager
TURKISH AIRLINES
Dubai, UAE
2023.11 - Current
- Team Leadership: Led local sales team to optimize pipelines and achieve corporate revenue targets.
- B2B Account Management: Expanded regional market share through high-level business partnerships.
- Performance Analytics: Analyzed sales trajectories and market trends for proactive pricing adjustments.
- PR & Marketing: Managed large-scale corporate PR events and data-driven promotions.
- Stakeholder Relations: Spearheaded global product promotions, trade fairs, and regional stakeholder negotiations.
Marketing & Sales Specialist (Middle East)
TURKISH AIRLINES
Istanbul
2014.10 - 2023.10
- Market Management: Managed commercial growth strategies for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Bahrain.
- Intelligence & Analysis: Monitored regional sales, market intelligence, and competitor analytics.
- Regional Development: Developed cross-border initiatives, regional systems, and operational workflows.
- Executive Support: Specialized administrative workflows; managed local talent recruitment.
Editor & Quality Delegate
TURKISH AIRLINES AVIATION ACADEMY
Istanbul
2011.07 - 2014.09
- Content Strategy: Directed layout, content strategy, and alignment for web platforms, training materials, and manuals.
- Journal Management: Served as Editor-in-Chief for the international academy journal.
- Executive Writing: Ghostwrote high-impact executive speeches and strategic corporate reports.
- Quality Management: Structured total quality management workflows as a quality delegate.
Editor & Researcher
IHH HUMANITARIAN RELIEF FOUNDATION
Istanbul
2007.03 - 2011.05
- Field Research: Conducted international research; prepared academic reports, country briefs, and press releases.
- Executive Support: Drafted high-level speeches and official correspondence for the foundation's president.
- Editorial Leadership: Served as Editor-in-Chief for academic journals, research publications, and bulletins.
Translator & Editor
Freelance
Istanbul
2005.01 - 2007.02
Turkish language instructor
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality
Istanbul
2006.09 - 2007.02
English language instructor
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality
Istanbul
2005.09 - 2006.06
Education
Master of Business Administration - Marketing Management
Beykent University
Istanbul/Turkiye 2014.09 - 2019.07
Associate's degree - Media and Communication
Anadolu University
Istanbul/Turkiye 2013.09 - 2014.06
B.A. - Turkish Language and Literature
Boğaziçi University
Istanbul/Turkiye 1999.09 - 2005.02
Skills
- Commercial Strategy: Sales Strategy, B2B Account Management, Contracting & Pricing
- Analytics & Intelligence: Market Intelligence, Data Analytics, Competitor Analysis
- Leadership & Operations: Team Management, NGO Leadership
- Communications: PR, Corporate Communications, Copywriting
- Media & Editorial: Journalism, Editorial Management
Certification
- Turkish Airlines Leadership Program (MasteryPath) (2024–2025): Modules: Leading Myself, Leading My Relationships, Leading My Work.
- Turkish Airlines Leadership School (2014): Selected through rigorous examinations and executive interviews.
- Harvard ManageMentor Executive Program (2014): Extensive credentials covering a broad spectrum of business disciplines, including Career Management, Coaching, Customer Focus, Diversity, Ethics at Work, Innovation and Creativity, Strategy Execution, and Team Leadership.
- Advanced Professional Training: 50+ certified programs in Strategic Sales, Advanced Marketing, Aviation/Quality Management, and Corporate Leadership.
- Global Aviation Management Insights: Specialized aviation management training by global university professors and industry experts.
Languages
English
Advanced
Arabic
Beginner
References
References available upon request.
Voluntary & NGO Leadership
International Advocacy: Represented NGOs globally; delivered human rights research presentations in major hubs (e.g., London).
US Civil Society Engagement: Participated in localized civil society initiatives and cross-cultural NGO programs in the US.
NGO Governance: Served on Boards of Directors; spearheaded strategic committees and drafted international human rights reports.
Activism & Volunteering: Long-term volunteer translator, interpreter, editor, and researcher for international NGOs.
Alumni & Student Leadership: Student Representative at Boğaziçi University; Editorial Board Member at a prominent alumni foundation (Boğaziçi Yöneticiler Vakfı / BYV); executive mentor for alumni.
Publications
- Editorial Portfolio: Managed translation and editorial production of dozens of literary and academic books (including Leo Tolstoy).
- Multidisciplinary Writing: Authored poetry, essays, travelogues, executive interviews, academic articles, and investigative news.
- Institutional Publishing: Conceptualized and finalized extensive corporate publications, activity reports, and strategic press materials.
Timeline
Sales Manager
TURKISH AIRLINES
2023.11 - Current
Marketing & Sales Specialist (Middle East)
TURKISH AIRLINES
2014.10 - 2023.10
Master of Business Administration - Marketing Management
Beykent University
2014.09 - 2019.07
Associate's degree - Media and Communication
Anadolu University
2013.09 - 2014.06
Editor & Quality Delegate
TURKISH AIRLINES AVIATION ACADEMY
2011.07 - 2014.09
Editor & Researcher
IHH HUMANITARIAN RELIEF FOUNDATION
2007.03 - 2011.05
Turkish language instructor
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality
2006.09 - 2007.02
English language instructor
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality
2005.09 - 2006.06
Translator & Editor
Freelance
2005.01 - 2007.02
B.A. - Turkish Language and Literature
Boğaziçi University
1999.09 - 2005.02