Duygu Gozeler Porchet
University of Oxford, Saïd Business School
“Poet at heart, mathematician by training—building communities and solving problems with purpose and empathy.”
Hometown: London, UK (originally from Istanbul, Turkey)
Family Members: 4 (married with 2 kids)
Fun fact about yourself: My name, Duygu, means ’emotion’ in Turkish, which perfectly captures my leadership philosophy. I believe the best business decisions come from combining analytical thinking with genuine emotional intelligence and empathy for the people we serve.
Undergraduate School and Degree: Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey – BS in Mathematics and BA in Economics (2005) Princeton University, Princeton, NJ – Master in Finance, Bendheim Center for Finance (2007)
Where are you currently working? Self-employed: Partner, Gaia Impact Ventures & Co-founder of a stealth AI Fintech start-up
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles:
Current Voluntary & Leadership Roles:
- One Home Climate Solutions, UK: Trustee (2024-present) – Supporting climate change adaptation solutions and advising on sustainable funding strategies for the climate education charity.
- Bookmark Reading Charity, UK: Independent Member, Audit & Risk Committee (2024-present) – Providing oversight on financial reporting, risk management, and compliance while contributing to children’s literacy enhancement for the education charity.
- Zindigi Bank, Pakistan: Chair & Member of the Advisory Board of Zindigi (2025-present) – Providing strategic guidance on fintech initiatives and market expansion strategies for Pakistan’s fastest-growing digital bank.
- Global Relations Forum, Istanbul: Member of an independent international affairs think-tank engaging with global leaders and policy experts on international relations and global issues (2015-present).
Academic Leadership:
- University of Oxford: Co-Class President, Executive MBA Program (2025)
- London School of Economics: Visiting Lecturer, Mathematics Department (2016-2020)
- Princeton University: Graduate Teaching Fellow (2006-2007)
Academic Awards & Honors:
- Forté Foundation Fellowship (Oxford Executive MBA, 2025)
- Princeton Fellowship (Master in Finance, 2007)
- Full Merit Scholarship – Comprehensive 5-year academic scholarship, Koç University
- Vehbi Koç Scholar Award and Dean’s Honors Roll, Koç University
- Exchange student scholarship to Ohio State University (2003-2004)
Professional Certifications:
- Harvard Business School: Sustainable Business Strategy Certificate
- CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing
- CISI Investment Advice Diploma and PCIAM certificate (Level 6)
- FINRA (Series 7 & 63) and FCA certified
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I’m most proud of receiving the Forté Foundation Fellowship for Women at Oxford’s Saïd Business School—one of only four fellowships awarded in my cohort. This recognition validates my 15+ year journey of being often the only woman in finance rooms and my commitment to changing that reality for the next generation.
What makes this achievement meaningful is how it validates my journey from working on male-dominated trading floors at Lehman Brothers and Deutsche Bank to now actively creating opportunities for others. The fellowship criteria—professional excellence, inspiring others, and serving as an ambassador—perfectly align with my mission of representation and advocacy in finance.
This achievement reinforces my belief that breaking barriers isn’t just about personal success; it’s about opening doors for others to walk through.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I’m most proud of transitioning from a successful banking career to entrepreneurship by founding my own practice—a decision that coincided with becoming a mother and represents the most pivotal moment in my professional journey.
After 15+ years at major financial institutions, I recognized that traditional banking structures don’t accommodate the realities of working mothers who want to excel in both domains. Rather than accepting this limitation, I redefined my ambitions—building a business model that works for ambitious mothers like me. I leveraged my expertise to create Gaia Impact Ventures—providing high-level advisory services while designing the flexibility I needed as a new parent. What makes me most proud is proving to the next generation of female professionals that motherhood doesn’t require sacrificing career ambitions—it can inspire entirely new approaches to professional success.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite MBA professor is Mungo Wilson, whose unique combination of quantitative rigor and real-world storytelling made complex concepts both accessible and memorable. I had the privilege of taking two courses with him, Business Finance and Identification: The Art and Science of Separating Causation from Correlation, and was consistently impressed by his ability to bridge academic theory with practical application. His real-life anecdotes don’t just entertain; they illuminate the nuances of financial decision-making that textbooks can’t capture.
Why did you choose this school’s Executive MBA program? I chose Oxford Saïd’s Executive MBA because it uniquely combines three elements critical to my career trajectory: leadership in sustainable business, entrepreneurship excellence, and a truly global network. Additionally, the program’s part-time format allows me to balance my entrepreneurial ventures with family commitments, while Oxford’s stunning campus provides an inspiring environment surrounded by world-class academic researchers across disciplines.
What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? The biggest lesson from my MBA was learning to lead with vulnerability and openness, a significant shift from traditional finance culture where showing uncertainty was seen as weakness. Through case studies and peer discussions, I discovered that authentic leadership builds stronger relationships and better outcomes.
I have applied this in my consulting work with startups where I collaborate with founders to research solutions together. This shift from an expert mindset to being a partner in problem-solving creates deeper, more trusting professional relationships.
Give us a story during your time as an Executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? One of my most challenging periods came during a particularly intense academic stretch when I had three consecutive modules: Entrepreneurial Finance in Palo Alto, followed immediately by the GNAM Behavioral Science of Management module at Yale, and then back to Oxford for our regular term. The timing couldn’t have been worse—my husband had several critical work trips scheduled during the same period. With two young children at home, I was genuinely worried about how we’d manage weeks of international travel.
The solution became a beautiful family effort. We coordinated for my in-laws to come to the UK and stay for an extended period, essentially covering childcare while we were both away. It required some serious logistics—mapping out who would be where when, coordinating their travel, and making sure the kids had familiar, loving care throughout.
What began as a logistical challenge became a deeply rewarding family experience. The children got extended time with their grandparents, and I could fully focus on each module knowing home was in loving hands.
This experience taught me that Executive MBA success isn’t just about personal time management—it’s about building your support village and not being afraid to ask for help. Sometimes the most strategic thing you can do is admit you can’t do it all alone.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an Executive MBA program? Be realistic about the time commitment and ensure you have strong support systems in place, especially if you have family responsibilities. The program is intensive and requires genuine dedication.
More importantly, approach it with an open mind rather than fixed expectations about specific outcomes. The most valuable aspects of an Executive MBA —unexpected insights, serendipitous connections, and personal growth—often come from areas you didn’t anticipate. Be genuinely curious about your classmates’ diverse backgrounds and experiences, as they’ll teach you as much as the professors.
Finally, fully immerse yourself in the experience. An Executive MBA is truly transformational, but only if you’re willing to be vulnerable, challenge your assumptions, and embrace the journey with both an open mind and heart. If you let it, an Executive MBA will not only grow your career, it will grow your character and deepen your understanding of what success truly means.
What was your biggest regret in business school? Honestly, I have no major regrets about my business school experience—the program has been incredibly valuable both academically and personally. If anything, I would have loved to attend more interdisciplinary seminars and connect with researchers outside the business school. if I had more time. The campus is extraordinarily enriching, with fascinating events, lectures, and research happening across disciplines constantly.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I most admire Rishad Sharif for his combination of intellectual rigor and interpersonal warmth. What sets Rishad apart is his genuine intellectual curiosity, he approaches every discussion with thoughtful questions that often reveal insights others miss. His analytical mind consistently elevates our group discussions and collaborative work. Equally impressive is his natural ability to bring people together with humor and emotional intelligence, making him both an outstanding classmate and a valued friend.
What was the main reason you chose an Executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? The modular format was perfectly suited to my needs as an entrepreneur and mother—intensive weeks in Oxford followed by dedicated time for my ventures and family commitments. However, what truly convinced me was the irreplaceable value of in-person learning and relationship-building.
The face-to-face experience has been transformational in ways that virtual alternatives simply could not replicate. The intensive residential weeks created deep bonds within our cohort that have evolved into lasting friendships and genuine business partnerships. Some of my most valuable insights have come from informal conversations between classes, late-night discussions in college dinners, and collaborative projects that required us to work closely together.
The Executive MBA format didn’t just provide flexibility; it created an environment where busy professionals could form meaningful connections that extend far beyond the classroom. Truly, I can’t think of anywhere else at age 40 I could have gained 59 close friends from around the world, that’s a truly unique gift of this program.
How did you finance your Executive MBA and what did you do to make tuition and associated costs more affordable? I was fortunate to have built up savings throughout my career that enabled me to invest in the program. Additionally, receiving the Forté Foundation Fellowship for Women provided both financial support and validation that made the investment even more meaningful.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My ultimate long-term professional goal is to build a successful AI fintech venture that transforms how SMEs access sophisticated financial tools. At the same time, I want to become a role model for women navigating major life transitions. I’m passionate about proving that motherhood does not mean limiting your professional ambitions: it can be the catalyst for your biggest career transformation. My journey from traditional banking to entrepreneurship happened alongside becoming a mother, and I want other women to see that these life changes can fuel innovation and ambition, not constrain them.
Beyond scaling my current venture, I envision using my platform to support other women who are ready to redefine what’s possible during life’s major transitions. Whether through mentoring, investing, or sharing my story, I want to be living proof that motherhood and business leadership can amplify each other.
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