As a senior female leader in the supply chain world, Ekin Gurbuz brings both operational expertise and a refreshing sense of perspective to her role at Coty. With nearly 20 years of international finance experience across sectors like agrifood, consumer goods, luxury, and financial services, she joined DELIVER Europe 2025 to connect, learn, and advocate for smarter, more inclusive ways of working.

“I really enjoyed it — meeting people, exchanging ideas, and hearing different opinions,” said Gurbuz. “It’s a great way to extend your network and get out of the corporate bubble.”

SEEING BEYOND THE CORPORATE WALLS

Working in large global organisations, Gurbuz understands how easy it is for teams — and leaders — to become siloed in their thinking.

“In corporate life, we often get isolated,” she explained. “We focus so much on our own problems that we lose sight of the broader landscape.”

At DELIVER, she found the space to challenge that mindset — to zoom out and re-engage with macro-level challenges facing supply chain professionals worldwide.

“Having conversations with different companies, in different markets — it’s an eye-opener. It’s a positive motivation.”

BUILDING CONNECTIONS & LEADING WITH PERSPECTIVE

Gurbuz maximised her time at the event by holding structured meetings with Coty’s key vendors while also participating in broader discussion forums.

“I’ve got five or six meetings lined up — and it’s not just about business. It’s about building relationships, keeping in touch, and exploring new ideas.”

But the real shift, she believes, lies in leadership behaviour — especially when it comes to breaking down silos inside organisations.

“It’s not a one-time fix. It’s how we work every day,” said Gurbuz. “It’s leadership, communication, and showing by example.”

CHAMPIONING INCLUSION IN INDUSTRY DIALOGUE

Ekin also expressed pride in participating in a session alongside four other female leaders, highlighting the value of inclusive conversations in reshaping the future of logistics and supply chain management.

“That was especially meaningful for me,” she said. “It’s how we move forward — together.”

Her message is clear: true transformation doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when leaders — especially women in senior roles — step forward, connect across functions, and reshape the way the industry thinks and operates.