Hafize Gaye Erkan

Hafize Gaye Erkan is an internationally recognized executive known for her strategic vision, transformational leadership, and innovative approach across global finance, central banking, and corporate governance. She is committed to empowering organizations and teams through technology, innovation, and a lifelong learning mindset.

Erkan earned her degree in Industrial Engineering from Boğaziçi University in 2001, graduating first in her department and the university. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in Operations Research and Financial Engineering from Princeton University and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School, as well as the Executive Program in Leadership at Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Erkan began her career at Goldman Sachs, where she spent nearly a decade advising the boards of directors and executive management teams of global banks, insurance companies, asset management firms, and other financial institutions on balance sheet optimization, capital planning, asset-liability management, stress testing, liquidity management, risk management, and mergers and acquisitions. During this period, she held senior leadership responsibilities as Global Head of Goldman Sachs' Financial Institutions Group, contributing to the development of strategic analysis and risk frameworks in the banking and insurance sectors.

From 2014 to 2021, Erkan played a pivotal role in First Republic Bank's growth and transformation, serving in several senior leadership positions, including Co-Chief Executive Officer, President, Member of the Board of Directors, Chief Investment Officer, Chief Deposit Officer, and Co-Chief Risk Officer.

From 2019 to 2021, she served on the Boards of Directors of Tiffany & Co. and subsequently Marsh McLennan. She also served on the Advisory Board of Princeton University's Department of Operations Research and Financial Engineering and with Partnership for New York City.

On June 9, 2023, Erkan was appointed Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye, where she chaired the Monetary Policy Committee and the Executive Committee. During her tenure, she led the monetary policy normalization process aimed at restoring price stability.

Since 2025, Erkan has served as President, Banking and Insurtech at Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, leading the company's banking and insurtech operations while playing a key role in advancing strategic growth opportunities across these businesses.

With extensive experience spanning international finance, banking, monetary policy, and corporate governance, Erkan is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO), the International Women's Forum, and C200. She has been recognized as one of Crain's New York Business' Notable Women in Banking and Finance and American Banker's Women to Watch. Beyond her professional achievements, she has championed scholarship and mentorship initiatives supporting the education and leadership development of young women pursuing careers in STEM fields.