I’m originally from Istanbul, Turkey, where my love for swimming began at age 7 with the prestigious Galatasaray Swim Club. At age 12, I earned a full scholarship to train with the Elite Enka Swim Team and went on to compete in the Junior Nationals in Turkey. My passion for the sport soon led me to coaching, where I gained valuable experience teaching age-group swimmers at TED Club.

A life-changing opportunity brought me to the United States through a scholarship from the University of Kentucky, where I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 2001. After graduation, I served as a math teacher in the Fayette County Public School System before transitioning into the banking industry, where I worked for 13 years with institutions such as Chase, BB&T, and PNC.

Though my career path has been diverse, my heart has always remained in the water. I am a certified swim coach and official, specializing in early-age snorkel training starting at 3 years old, as well as stroke technique, starts, and turn clinics. Kentucky has truly been a blessing for me and my family, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my passion for swimming with the next generation.