Jilda Bal completed a double major in Finance and Business Administration at the University of Utah. After working for many years as a credit analyst, she returned to Turkey in 2016. Within a year, she held various positions in three different corporate companies before deciding to start her own business. A triathlete with first and second-place achievements, Bal attributes her decision to leave corporate life to the entrepreneurial spirit she inherited from her family.
“We operate as the HR department for companies”
In 2017, Bal decided to establish Gilda&Partners. Drawing on the experience she gained throughout her career, she identified the need for qualified employees, particularly for mid- and senior-level management positions in companies. Bal shares details about her work as follows:
“After obtaining a private employment agency license from İŞKUR (Turkey’s Employment Agency), I began providing consultancy services to corporate firms. I work across various sectors, including banking, finance, manufacturing, services, insurance, energy, and technology. As Gilda&Partners Consulting, we offer recruitment consultancy services for manager and director-level positions. Thanks to our boutique working model, we provide personalized service to our clients, effectively operating as their HR department.”
Bal states that they advanced using their own resources during the establishment and growth phases, adopting an organic growth strategy. She explains: “When we evaluate human resources management in Turkey, we see that finding specialized employees has become increasingly difficult. One of the main reasons for this issue is the brain drain, which has intensified in recent years. Regardless of the sector, many companies face a high turnover rate. Additionally, young white-collar workers are showing an increasing tendency to start their own ventures and avoid corporate life.”
Employees should act like entrepreneurs
Bal highlights the changes in companies’ expectations of their employees: “Employees need to act like entrepreneurs within their roles—proactive, innovative, and accountable. Companies now expect this. Static roles and traditional management approaches are over. For individuals who cannot adapt to these changes, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a place in the corporate world. Challenges in accessing qualified labor can be overcome with the opportunities offered by digitalization and artificial intelligence.”
Turkey falls short of its potential
Evaluating women’s position in the workforce, leadership roles, senior management positions, and work-life balance in Turkey, Bal remarks: “Unfortunately, women’s entrepreneurship in Turkey remains at very low levels. While general trends align with global averages, we observe that Turkey lags slightly behind its potential in this area. The most significant change is seen in the proportion of mid-level women managers. According to a study, the ratio of mid-level women managers increased from 34% in 2021 to 42.98% in 2023. Similarly, the proportion of women in senior management rose from 31.87% in 2021 to 38.60% in 2023. This upward trend is expected to continue in 2024. However, the proportion of women on boards of directors is still only 10%.”
Supporting women’s entrepreneurship
A member of the Arya Women Investment Platform, Bal notes that there has been a recent increase in the tendency of women in Turkey to invest. She adds: “I believe more effort is needed to support women’s entrepreneurship. I have also invested in the Arya Venture Capital Investment Fund. This fund is Turkey’s first venture capital investment fund with a gender-focused investment theme. Additionally, I invest in innovative ventures in the technology sector, thus supporting women and balanced ventures to become more powerful and effective in the business world.”
“It’s not just about the result; it’s about the journey”
Bal, who has been involved in sports since her university years, began triathlon in 2014 and has won first and second-place awards. She shares how her achievements impact her life: “In 2022, I came in second in my age group at the MW Challenge Bodrum Race, and in 2023, I came in first in my age group at the Trimania Spring Aquathlon in Beirut. I also completed two full Ironman races, consisting of 3.8 km of swimming, 180 km of cycling, and a 42.2 km marathon. Personally, I find the real success in completing these races. For us, it’s not just about the result but the journey to the result. This process enriches both our personal and professional lives, contributing to our growth. Each race is more than a success story; it’s a journey of determination, perseverance, and self-improvement.”
“There is global competition for skilled migrants”
Highlighting the global competition for highly skilled migrants, Bal states: “Countries such as Canada, Germany, Australia, and the United States are offering various policies and incentives to meet their skilled labor needs in fields like technology, healthcare, and engineering. Particularly in the technology sector, the Netherlands and Germany stand out as top choices in Europe. Dubai, on the other hand, is becoming a preferred destination not only for technology but also for banking and finance sectors.”
