Damla Didin

Biography

Damla Didin is a business operations and strategy professional whose story is rooted in reinvention, resilience, and continuous growth. Born and raised in Istanbul, Türkiye, Damla graduated from Yildiz Technical University’s Faculty of Architecture with a degree in Urban and Regional Planning. She began her career in real estate and spent several years as a licensed real estate appraiser, developing a strong foundation in valuation, analysis, operations, and project management. In 2018, Damla moved to the United States with her family, leaving behind an established career, professional network, and the familiarity of home. Starting over in a new country became one of the most defining chapters of her life. Rather than simply recreating her previous career, she embraced the transition as an opportunity to step outside her comfort zone, continue learning, and build a new professional path. While raising her son and adapting to life in a new country, Damla returned to school and continued investing in her education. She pursued professional studies in Real Estate Development and Land Use at NYU and later earned her MBA from Longwood University. Her growing interest in sustainability and responsible business also led her to complete the Sustainability Strategies program at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Over time, Damla successfully transitioned from real estate into business operations and strategy. Today, she works at a leading better-for-you snack company, where her role spans strategic planning, corporate governance, sustainability, legal and intellectual property coordination, and cross-functional business initiatives. Her work has included leading the organization’s first three-year strategic planning process, authoring its first sustainability report, supporting Board governance, and helping drive complex initiatives across the business. Rebuilding her career while continuing her education and being a working mother has deeply influenced how Damla approaches both life and work. It taught her that starting over does not mean starting from zero—the experience, discipline, and perspective gained along the way become the foundation for what comes next. Her journey from Istanbul to the New York metropolitan area, and from urban planning and real estate to business strategy and operations, reflects her belief that meaningful careers do not always follow a straight line. She is passionate about lifelong learning, embracing change, and creating new possibilities at every stage of life. As a working mother, immigrant, and professional who has experienced both the challenges and opportunities of rebuilding a career in a new country, Damla especially values communities where women can share experiences, support one another, and inspire each other to grow with confidence and purpose.