Full Biography
Defne Sadıklar Arslan is the director of the Atlantic Council’s Atlantic Council IN TURKEY Program, which she founded in 2018. Arslan, a reputable financial and energy economist, joined the Atlantic Council in December 2014. The program maintains a strong focus on transatlantic ties between the US and Turkey, as well as on regional energy issues, while also spearheading the Council’s work on refugees. Mrs. Arslan also serves as the Council’s regional representative with a specific focus on Turkey.
Arslan started her career as a banker at Koç-American Bank in Istanbul, and later worked as project finance coordinator for the Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TIKA) for CIS countries. Mrs. Arslan worked as the chief Turkey economist and senior advisor for the US State Department at the US Embassy in Ankara until November 2014. She was responsible for monitoring the International Monetary Fund and World Bank programs for the U.S. Treasury. Her portfolio included monitoring economic developments and financial markets in Turkey in connection with global developments. In addition to her expertise as an economist, during her tenure at the State Department, Arslan expanded her portfolio into the energy sector and has worked with key interlocutors on local and regional energy projects, including the Southern Gas Corridor. As a key U.S./Turkey expert and financial/energy economist, she is regularly invited as a commentator to international news channels and newspapers, as well as to conferences as a speaker. She is also a member of the Federation of University Women. Starting her early education in Tokyo, Arslan holds an MBA and an MA in banking and finance, and has received several awards and scholarships during her education and career. She received her BSc degree in Economics from Middle East Technical University (METU).
