Empowering Women at SunExpress: Year 2 Begins!
- Jun 3
- 2 min read
Last year, we launched our Women in Leadership Program in collaboration with Yale School of Management , with a focus on supporting the growth of our leaders.
This year, we're excited to continue the journey, and expand it! The 2025 cohort brings together a diverse group of talented women from various levels and roles across the organization, making the experience even richer and more impactful.
To reflect on the impact of the program, I recently spoke with two participants from last year. Here’s what they shared:
Münevver Sayın: Could you briefly introduce yourself?
Dilan Özlük: I’ve been working at SunExpress for over 7 years in the Financial Planning & Analysis department. My main responsibilities include budgeting, forecasting, long-term financial planning and financial reporting.
Liane Wagner: After university, I began my career in retail management and have since developed extensive expertise in inflight retail, catering, and service management—working for both airline caterers and airlines. For the past 13 years at SunExpress, I’ve brought passion and commitment to my role as Manager Cabin Experience and Inflight Retail, where I oversee the inflight passenger experience and lead a commercially successful retail program that elevates customer satisfaction and drives commercial performance.
Münevver Sayın: How did you feel when you were selected for the program?
Dilan Özlük: I felt grateful and excited to be part of a program that supports women’s development in leadership. It felt like a valuable opportunity for both growth and self-reflection.
Liane Wagner: I felt deeply honored and proud to be chosen for such a prestigious and empowering program. It was a moment of recognition that validated my professional journey and reaffirmed my commitment to growing as a leader. Being selected filled me with excitement and a strong sense of responsibility to make the most of the opportunity. It also inspired me to step outside my comfort zone and embrace new challenges with confidence and curiosity.
Münevver Sayın: What benefits or gains has the program brought you?
Dilan Özlük: The program helped me gain a deeper understanding of my leadership style and manage my emotions more effectively. I also learned practical tools to engage and support my team in a more thoughtful and impactful way. It is an inspiring and empowering program that provides practical guidance and encourages continuous self-development.
"Having access to Yale’s faculty and being part of a strong internal community of women leaders made this experience truly transformative."
Liane Wagner: The program strengthened my innovative thinking and deepened my understanding of inclusive leadership. Grounded in core values, I now lead with greater clarity and purpose—cultivating both my own strengths and those of others. I’ve also learned to strategically leverage my network to advance my goals, align collective efforts, and drive meaningful outcomes. One of the most rewarding aspects was becoming part of a global community of accomplished women whose ongoing support and shared ambition continue to energize and inspire me. Thank you SunExpress for giving me this wonderful and enriching opportunity.
These insights remind us why initiatives like this matter. Leadership is not a title, it’s a mindset. We’re proud to help cultivate that mindset through continued learning, connection, and support.
