Danone Appoints Özge Gülşen Kösem to Head of Legal & Compliance

Özge Gülşen Kösem joined Danone, a leading global food and beverage company operating in three health-focused and on-trend categories: essential dairy and plant-based products, waters, and specialized nutrition.

Özge Gülşen Kösem appointed as Head of Legal & Compliance in Danone Turkey, effective as of Jan 2023.

Before joining Danone Turkey, Gülşen Kösem worked as a Senior Legal Counsel at Mondelēz International, where she developed her career for 12 years. She initiated her career as a Trademark Lawyer, which continued as the main Intellectual Property lawyer of Turk Telekom Group Companies. She has 16 years of experience in total across various industries and experiences including FMCG and telecommunication.

Kösem has an honored bachelor's degree from Başkent University's Faculty of Law and an LL.M. degree from Ankara University. She is the first female student to win Diplomatic Awards from Harvard University, World Model of United Nations representing Turkiye while studying in the Law Faculty.

What personal and professional skills do you believe are most important for your role at Danone? Can you discuss the role's challenges and benefits?

Personal and professional skills are the foundation of success at Danone. Throughout my legal career, I have gained extensive experience in a wide range of legal matters both locally and internationally, including M&A, company integrations and splits, international projects, compliance programs, and various significant responsibilities.

Along the way, I have developed my communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and leadership skills, which have been crucial to my success. What makes

Danone truly special to me is its mission and values under “One Planet, One Health”. Danone's commitment to bringing health through food is not just a tagline - it's been at the heart of the company's ethos since its inception. Even its logo, featuring a child gazing up at a star, embodies the pioneering spirit and sense of optimism for positive change that runs through the company's veins.

Moreover, Danone's culture and values resonate deeply with me. The company's core HOPE values of Humanism, Openness, Proximity, and Enthusiasm serve as a moral compass, guiding the organization toward meaningful impact. Working at Danone offers many benefits, including opportunities for professional growth, a supportive and nurturing work culture, and the chance to contribute to a larger purpose. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of a company that is constantly innovating and evolving while staying true to its values, and I take pride in contributing to its ongoing success.