DULLES, VA, November 24, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Merve Hande Akmehmet 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.

With a global career spanning across the United States and Turkey, Ms. Akmehmet has established herself as a leading economist, entrepreneur and international business expert. As the managing partner of Sandalyeci USA since 2016, she has overseen strategic operations, ventures and sales, guiding the company's entire United States operations. Under her direction, Sandalyeci has become known for producing custom furniture and bringing imaginative concepts to life for clients throughout the hospitality sector. Her leadership has been pivotal in collaborative projects with major hospitality chains such as Hilton and Marriott, as well as contract and living groups across the country.

In addition to her role at Sandalyeci, Ms. Akmehmet is an accomplished consultant, providing specialized guidance to companies and individuals on valuation, investment strategies and optimal timing for investments in the United States as well as emerging markets including Turkey. Her expertise is particularly sought after by large funds, private funds and mutual funds with interests in the Middle East.

Having expanded her reputation largely through word-of-mouth references from clients, Ms. Akmehmet is recognized for her comprehensive understanding of global markets, ability to analyze capital flows and risk concentrations, and skill in identifying how market dynamics create new opportunities. Her approach to economics is both analytical and practical, combining data-driven insights with hands-on experience — especially in the context of trade relations between Turkey and the United States.

Since 2014, Ms. Akmehmet has also served as both chief economist and consultant in Washington DC, where she continues to apply her economic acumen to emerging business models and financial strategies in Turkey and throughout the Middle East.

Leading the Bloomberg team in Turkey as its head of economic research from 2013 to 2014, Ms. Akmehmet appeared on live television for several hours daily to provide expert commentary on geopolitical events, equity markets and global economic developments. Her tenure was marked by her ability to communicate complex financial topics to diverse audiences and her commitment to transforming organizations and society through her work.

From 2012 to 2013, Ms. Akmehmet was an economic research manager at Akbank, where she served advising the chief economist in Istanbul, Turkey. Her focus was not only on solving immediate challenges but also on driving organizational transformation and empowering those around her. She is particularly proud of her efforts to inspire others, elevate awareness and foster a sense of consciousness within her community.

Ms. Akmehmet's storied career includes a seven-year tenure at Oracle Corporation, where she excelled as a market intelligence lead from 2007 to 2012 and business analyst from 2007 to 2009. Working with federal, state and local leaders on financial consulting initiatives, she developed a reputation for her detail-oriented approach and ability to consider multiple factors simultaneously — qualities she attributes to her empathetic nature and perspective as a woman in business. Never encountering the glass ceiling during her time at Oracle, she instead viewed any potential obstacles as prime opportunities for growth and transformation.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Akmehmet worked as a media analyst at Time Life Inc. and was a program manager at the Turkish American Business Forum in New York. Gaining valuable early exposure in international relations, data collection and policy analysis, she also served as a researcher and associate at the Turkish Mission to the United Nations from 2003 to 2004.

Hailing from an equally impressive academic background, Ms. Akmehmet earned a master's degree in Applied Economics from The Johns Hopkins University in 2008, where she also founded the Equilibrium Point Society and later became an active alumna. Her undergraduate studies culminated in a bachelor's degree in Economics and Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia in 2004. To further enhance her analytical capabilities, she is certified as an Accredited International Forecaster by the International Institute of Forecasters and in Bloomberg Terminal fundamentals by Bloomberg.

Often sought after as a public speaker and expert in the media, Ms. Akmehmet has engaged in numerous economics interviews with leading media outlets such as Bloomberg, CNBC and the Financial Times. Among her many accolades, she was ranked 89th in the World's Top 100 Most Influential Economists List, underscoring her impact and reputation worldwide.

Also known for her civic-minded contributions, Ms. Akmehmet serves as an advisor to multiple private companies and is a member of the Government Relations Association. A longstanding human rights advocate, she has volunteered as a fundraiser for women political action committees (PACs) as well as National Coalition Turkish American Women PACs. Her commitment to social causes extends to her written works, which include multiple publications on the costs of maintaining a strong democracy.

Fluent in English, Turkish, German and French, Ms. Akmehmet cherishes spending time with her husband and daughter and enjoys surfing and collecting antique texts and books on diverse topics. She remains dedicated to expanding Sandalyeci — particularly in the face of global trade uncertainties — while continuing to invest in private ventures across the United States, Turkey and the Middle East.

Determined to further her impact in the future, Ms. Akmehmet aims to serve as a bridge between Turkey and the United States, transforming society, strengthening democracies and advocating for human rights wherever possible. Her life and legacy are defined by her unwavering commitment to meaningful change, both within the organizations she serves and throughout communities worldwide.

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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