Member Interview with Cemre Akkaya

We are delighted to bring you a Member Interview with Cemre Akkaya, VP Marketing, Desertcart

What’s your golden rule?

Always do a bit better than before.

Who has been your biggest influence?

Anthony Bourdain. He showed me that curiosity is the ultimate superpower. I learned that the best insights come when you're genuinely curious about why people do things differently, not trying to prove your way is better.

What is your most hated business expression?

This is how we've always done it. I've seen too many good ideas die because of this phrase. Markets change, people change, technology changes - but somehow we think our processes should stay the same.

Which leader do you admire most and why?

Maya Angelou. "If somebody puts you on a road and you don't feel comfortable on it, and you look ahead, and you don't like the destination, and you look behind, and you don't want to return to that place, step off the road."

What is on your mind the most right now as a marketing leader?

How to create marketing that works with human psychology, not against it. Our brains are wired for constant seeking, not satisfaction. I'm focused on building experiences that satisfy that seeking behavior in healthy ways while creating genuine value.

Why is being part of The Marketing Society important for your career?

I'm obsessed with learning - I read constantly and lived in six countries because I love different perspectives. TMS gives me access to minds I wouldn't normally encounter, especially marketers who've navigated major pivots across diverse markets.

Why does marketing matter to you?

Marketing is all about understanding human psychology. I love figuring out what makes people tick, why they choose one thing over another.

Tell us something that’s not on your CV

I'm a terrible language learner who refuses to give up. I've attempted to learn the local language in every country I've lived in - six countries, six languages, varying degrees of failure.