MCLEAN, VA, April 22, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Cigdem Donmez Penn has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. Penn is a distinguished professional with an esteemed career spanning various sectors. As the founder and principal advisor of Xsights Research & Consultancy, she has been instrumental in providing market research and evaluation projects for large global companies across 114 countries. With offices in London, Ankara and Istanbul, her company collaborates with public sector clients, including ministries, the European Union and various commissions and councils. The firm is renowned for its expertise in marketing strategies, driving new business development, and fostering creative problem-solving to maximize opportunities for sustainable expansion and impact assessment of major projects.

Ms. Penn is also a seasoned entrepreneur in market research and the monitoring, evaluation and learning sectors, driving revenue growth and enhancing customer experiences. She has collaborated with public, private and nonprofit organizations worldwide, facilitating partnerships with NGOs, the United Nations and government institutions. She has experience conducting studies in over 100 countries and contributed to global, social and economic change through strategic planning, evaluations and team development. With her global experience, Ms. Penn served as the founding chairwoman of the DEİK Nepal-Turkey Business Council from 2012 to 2018 for the Turkish Government. She is currently sharing her experience with post graduate students at George Washington Business School and teaching Data Communication to future business executives.

In addition to her role at Xsights, Ms. Penn has owned Dessera Wines, Vineyards and Hotel since 2010. This family business, founded by her father and currently managed by her brother, is located in Thrace and is celebrated for producing some of Turkey's finest wines. The estate spans 320 acres and boasts a wine production capacity of 150 tons alongside a luxurious hotel.

Ms. Penn has also maintained a position as a private investor with Bemuse B Corp since 2022. Prior to her current roles, she was a project manager at Ipsos UK MORI for three years. Her foundational experiences were serving as a senior research executive at Insights by Kantar (Taylor Nelson Sofres) from 2003 to 2004 and in a similar role at Ipsos from 2001 to 2003.

Academically, Ms. Penn earned a Master of Science in organizational and social psychology from The London School of Economics and Political Science in 2000 and a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Bogaziçi University before immigrating from Turkey. Complementing her formal education, she holds several certifications, including an advanced certificate in psychodynamic therapy techniques and advanced negotiation skills from Scotwork.

Ms. Penn's dedication to her field is further exemplified by her numerous recognitions, such as the Making a Difference Award from the ESOMAR Foundation in 2020 for her contributions to mental health issues through market research aligned with UN Sustainability Goals, among many others. She has also contributed scholarly works to the ESOMAR World Congress and the Sustainable Living Congress. Overall, she credits her success to her resilience and determination.

Beyond her professional achievements, Ms. Penn is passionate about traveling, gardening, spending time with family, and enjoying long walks in nature. She is also involved civically as a mentor for TurkishWIN and a board member of Bahçesehir University's Sociology Department. Anticipating her professional future, she aims to expand her company into more countries and collaborate with academic institutions to share her knowledge. She also aspires to write a book on her insights and dedicate more time to community service.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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