Ahmet Atay
Government & Corporate Affairs Director at Microsoft Turkey
Ahmet Atay, Government and Corporate Affairs Director of Microsoft Turkey has bachelor’s degree from Department of Business Administration and master’s degree from Department of Science and Technology Policy Studies at Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey. He started his professional career at the Turkish Ministry for European Union (EU) Affairs responsible for the works relating to harmonization of EU legislation with Turkish legislation as well as for coordinating preparation of Annual EU Pre-accession Financial Assistance Programmes.
Before joining Microsoft, he had worked for Ernst Young between 2010–2013 as the Government and European Union Advisory Services Manager in charge of leading the government relations with the public institutions, NGOs and professional organizations on the relevant policies and topics and being responsible for the projects funded by government, EU and other donors, in terms of business development, tender procedures, project management and project coordination.
After Ernst Young, he joined Microsoft Turkey in 2013 as the Government and Corporate Affairs Director. He is developing, orchestrating and implementing strategic outreach strategies and campaigns important to the information technologies industry. He is also the leading voice for the company in (and building and strengthening the company’s relationship with) government institutions, industry partners, trade associations, advocacy organizations, multi-lateral organizations and industry coalitions. He also supports Microsoft’s government affairs efforts in Qatar and Egypt via direct strategic support as well as through taking role in selected initiatives and projects.
He is the Vice Chairperson of Government Relations and Corporate Affairs Management Association of Turkey (KİYED) for the last two terms and also member of relevant working groups and committees at ABFT-AmCham (American Business Forum in Turkey), YASED (International Investors Association), TÜSİAD (Turkish Industry and Business Association) and U. S. Chamber of Commerce U. S. — Turkey Business Council.
He is married with a daughter.
Takes part in
Impact of COVID-19 on the Future of Government Affairs: How to Improve Government Relations to Mitigate the Negative Impact of Future Pandemics
In his presentation Ahmet Atay, the Government and Corporate Affairs Director at Microsoft Turkey, will open up on:
- The most effective ways to help governments and collaborate with them in fighting the pandemic;
- How to strengthen long-term institutional partnerships between corporate and public entities;
- Mitigating the risks of possible future pandemics long-term.
Ahmet Atay