USSAL ŞAHBAZ is a managing partner at Ussal Consultancy. Between 2016-2018, he was the director GE (General Electric) Istanbul Innovation Center, one of the 8 innovation centers the conglomerate started around the world. He managed the Business 20 and Think 20 engagement groups whilst Turkey chaired the G20 in 2015. He took leadership positions the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV) and Centre for Economic and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM), two of Turkey’s most prominent think-tanks. His government career included positions at the Turkish Competition Authority and President of Turkey’s Office.

Ussal holds a master’s degree in International Development from Harvard University, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Economics from Bilkent University and Middle East Technical University respectively.

He writes weekly columns on Nasıl Bir Ekonomi, Turkey’s business daily newspaper, and publishes Global İşler+, a Turkish weekly e-mail bulletin on tech, society and policy. His work is featured in major global media outlets including Foreign Affairs, Forbes and Techcrunch.

Hasan is specialized in Turkish politics, foreign policy, and political economy. He holds a Ph.D. degree in political science from Bilkent University and a master’s degree in Eurasian studies and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Middle East Technical University.

Hasan is a member of the Valdai International Discussion Club and a fellow of Stiftung Mercator’s Turkey-Europe Future Forum. He is also an adjunct lecturer at Atilim University’s Department of International Relations.