Melis Kahya Akar
About Melis Kahya Akar
Melis Kahya Akar serves as the Managing Director and Head of Consumer for EMEA at General Atlantic, a position she has held since 2021. She has extensive experience in investment banking and private equity, having worked at J.P. Morgan and TSG Consumer Partners, and currently holds board positions at multiple companies including JOE & THE JUICE and Gymshark.
Work at General Atlantic
Melis Kahya Akar currently serves as Managing Director and Head of Consumer for EMEA at General Atlantic, a position she has held since 2021 in London, England. Prior to this role, she worked at General Atlantic as Vice President from 2015 to 2016 in Greater New York City Area. During her tenure, she focused on investments in the retail and consumer sectors, demonstrating her expertise in these areas.
Education and Expertise
Melis Kahya Akar holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where she studied from 2009 to 2011. She also earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Electrical Engineering and Economics from Yale University, completing her studies from 2000 to 2004. Her educational background supports her extensive experience in the consumer and retail sectors.
Background
Melis Kahya Akar began her career as an Analyst in the Investment Banking division at J.P. Morgan, where she worked from 2004 to 2007 in the Greater New York City Area. She then transitioned to TSG Consumer Partners, serving as Associate from 2007 to 2009 and later as Vice President from 2011 to 2015. Akar has a strong foundation in investment banking and private equity, particularly in the consumer and retail domains.
Board Memberships
In addition to her role at General Atlantic, Melis Kahya Akar holds several board positions. She has been a Board Member at JOE & THE JUICE since 2016, at Sézane since 2018, at Depop since 2019, and at Gymshark since 2020. These roles reflect her commitment to the consumer sector and her influence in shaping strategies for these brands.