Simay Akar Koehler, Vice President, Career & Member Services 2026 on Influential Women

Influential Woman · Renewable Energy

Simay Akar Koehler

Vice President, Career & Member Services 2026, IEEE-USA · Apprenticeship

IN

7Awards received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Middle East Technical University (METU) Degree Ankara Degree Turkey Degree Stanford University (virtual courses in solar energy) Member IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Member IEEE Power and Energy Society Member IEEE Humanitarian Technologies Board (Board Member) Member IEEE Women in Engineering (Global Chair-Elect 2027-2028) Member Turkish Sailing Federation Member Women's Sailing Association (Turkey) Member Sailing Association (Indiana)

Her Story

About Simay

My professional journey has been driven by a passion for inspiring others and making a meaningful impact in the clean energy sector. I started in solar energy manufacturing, where I discovered the future direction of this technology, and that inspired me to become an entrepreneur in the same field. Now I work with more entrepreneurs and people who are dedicated and passionate about inspiring each other. I am not just stuck doing a daily job - I am dedicated to make a difference and create an impact. That is why I volunteer beside my work. I work directly with energy and cleantech startups and manufacturers globally, so my day job is not 8 to 5. It requires travel based on conferences or partnerships, and I generally work virtually, anywhere, anytime. I meet with people, I network, and I balance life and work during the day. What I love most is seeing that if I can support somebody with a program or an initiative, somebody's life is changing - whether through my day job or my volunteer initiatives. When I feel I am achieving something in life, it is because I am not just focused on myself, but on supporting others and making a real difference in the world.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Simay

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to my love of inspiring others and getting inspired myself. That is what I love, and that is probably my goal in life. I really love this clean energy transformation because I started my day job in solar energy manufacturing and I discovered the future direction and where this technology goes. I became an entrepreneur in the same field, and now I work with more entrepreneurs and a lot of people who are dedicated and passionate about inspiring each other. There are a lot of people who are really dedicated, not just stuck in where they are, just daily doing their job - they are dedicated to make a difference and make a change. I am dedicated to make a difference and create an impact. That is why I also volunteer beside my work. When I can see that I am supporting somebody with a program or an initiative and somebody's life is changing - whether with my day job or my volunteer initiatives - I feel I am achieving something in life.

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