Technology

Facebook appoints Derya Matras as regional director for Middle East, Africa & Turkey

Derya Matraş has been appointed as regional director of Facebook in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey.

In a statement, the social media company says in this role, Matraş will lead Facebook to serve businesses and communities, and grow the company’s economic and social impact across the region.

“The fast-growing Middle East, Africa and Turkey region is an important market for Facebook. Derya’s wealth of experience in emerging markets and her pioneering spirit will help us further drive impact and value in this uniquely diverse region, while maintaining our mission of bringing people together and building communities,” says Nicola Mendelsohn, Facebook’s Europe, Middle East Africa vice-president.

According to Facebook, Matraş spent most of her career in emerging markets and was previously Facebook country director for Turkey. It notes that prior to joining Facebook, she was vice-president of Dogan Media Group, the largest media conglomerate in Turkey.

She has also held leadership roles in management consulting at McKinsey & Company, advising private sector and governments around the world, especially on the digital economy.

Commenting on her appointment, Matraş says: “I am honoured to lead this diverse region for Facebook where our goals of building new experiences that meaningfully improve people’s lives and supporting millions of businesses that rely on our services to grow and create jobs, truly come to life. As a woman leader, I am very proud to be appointed to this region where diversity is of crucial importance, and I am looking forward to continuing to drive our significant economic and social value contribution.”

Matraş has a Bachelor’s degree in engineering from Bogazici University and an MBA from Columbia Business School. Matraş, who is one of the permanent members of the Women in Tech Foundation, was ranked sixth in Ekonomist’s 2019 “The 50 Most Powerful Women CEOs in Turkey ” and was on Fortune’s “40 Under 40” list in 2016.

She is also the California president of the Turkish American Business Council and a member of the Entrepreneurship Board Executive Committee of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchange in Turkey

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