As one of Turkey’s pioneering female marina managers, Dilek Seven has redefined leadership by turning a marina into a destination shaped by trust, tradition and progress. With a career that spans cruise ships, hospitality and marketing, she brings a distinctive approach to marina management, combining operational with cultural insights and an inclusive vision for the future.
In the global marina industry, leadership requires more than the ability to manage berths and balance operations. It demands vision, resilience and the skill to create destinations where technical standards, hospitality and community engagement align.
For Seven, the marina manager of Kiyi Istanbul Marina, the sea has never been just a workplace but the foundation of her professional identity. Her early career aboard cruise ships gave her first-hand insight into navigation, international guest expectations and financial planning – experiences that shaped her long-term vision for marina management. “During my years at sea on cruise ships, I have long known that the sea is not just a workplace but a way of life,” she recalls. “I saw how maritime environments bring people together and I dedicated my career to creating a permanent space where that culture could thrive.”
This foundation provided her with both technical and commercial skills. Handling financial planning on board and working with a global clientele instilled a precision and cultural sensitivity that remain central to her leadership today.
Her later transition into hospitality and marketing broadened this base. “My background in hospitality instilled in me a customer-first mindset – the ability to anticipate needs, personalise services and deliver memorable moments,” she explains. Meanwhile, marketing taught her how to position a brand competitively and reach international audiences. She believes both disciplines are essential to marina management, where smooth daily operations must be matched by a strong brand identity and customer experience culture.
Building more than a marina
When Seven joined Kiyi Istanbul Marina, she was motivated by its ambition to be more than a berthing facility. Envisioned as a lifestyle destination, the marina blends technical excellence with retail, dining, wellness and cultural spaces, creating a place where visitors can live, connect and belong.
Conveniently located in Büyükçekmece, just 30 minutes from Istanbul International Airport, the marina offers berths for yachts ranging from 12 to 80 metres, a 300-tonne lift and shipyard facilities with strict safety protocols. But its real distinction lies in its integration of lifestyle amenities – a model that transforms the marina into a cultural and commercial hub.
The complexity of the project was also one of its greatest challenges. “Marina construction is very different and difficult from land constructions,” Seven notes. She had to oversee the building of infrastructure, the development of operational systems and the recruitment of a new team across every department. “Balancing operations, financial systems and customer satisfaction from day one was a defining moment for me and my team.”
Today, she takes pride in how the marina has evolved. “We built not only berths but a culture,” she reflects. Events, eco-conscious initiatives and community programmes have positioned the marina as a meeting point for yacht owners, local families and international travellers.
Leadership anchored in trust
Recognition as one of Turkey’s first female marina leaders placed Seven in a pioneering position. With it came responsibility – to prove that inclusive leadership could thrive in a traditionally male-dominated industry, and to show how trust and empowerment can anchor long-term success. “Being recognised as one of the first female leaders in marina management in Turkey gave me a duty to lead by example,” she says.
Her leadership philosophy is based on transparency, trust and accountability. “My leadership is rooted in empowering my team, giving them space to innovate while holding us accountable to the highest standards,” she explains. In practice, that means cultivating an environment where technical staff, guest relations and marketing all share ownership of the marina’s success.
“The team I built is the true engine behind the marina,” she emphasises. Their professionalism and resilience have enabled the facility to reach international standards in record time. For customers, this approach translates into what Seven describes as “professionalism balanced with warmth”, an ethos that draws on both global best operations and the depth of Turkish hospitality.
For Seven, trust is the defining currency of leadership. It assures yacht owners that their vessels are safe, families that they are welcome and international visitors that their expectations will be exceeded. That trust transforms the marina from a simple service provider into a long-term destination.
Anchoring tradition in innovation
Istanbul’s unique setting has shaped Seven’s leadership philosophy. “Istanbul is a global city where East meets West, tradition meets modernity. That duality forces us to be dynamic marina leaders: we must be rooted in safety and regulations while also embracing hospitality, culture and international standards,” she stated.
For Seven, tradition and innovation are complementary strengths. “On one side, we honour maritime tradition and the spirit of Turkish hospitality. On the other, we invest in renewable energy, digital booking systems and modern infrastructure. Innovation should not erase tradition; it should elevate it.”
This balance sets her marina apart from many others in Turkey and across the Mediterranean. Its “marina and lifestyle” model attracts both superyachts and local communities, turning berthing into a destination experience. At the same time, the project has become a catalyst for local development, stimulating retail, tourism and employment in Büyükçekmece while contributing to Istanbul’s global maritime reputation.
Seven also keeps a close eye on wider customer trends. Post-pandemic, she observes that visitors increasingly demand digital convenience, sustainability and premium amenities. High-speed connectivity, eco-conscious practices and tailored services are no longer luxuries but baseline expectations. “Marinas that fail to adapt to these demands risk losing relevance,” she says.
Shaping what’s next
Seven is determined to strengthen Istanbul’s position on the Mediterranean yachting map. One flagship initiative is the launch of Yacht Club Istanbul, an exclusive membership programme offering curated experiences, gourmet events and personalised services. In addition, she is advancing renewable energy solutions and digital systems to make the marina more sustainable and future-ready.
But her vision extends beyond projects and infrastructure. Seven is equally committed to developing the next generation of marina leaders through consultancy and mentorship. She views inclusivity not as symbolic but as structurally embedded in hiring, training and promotion. “The industry is now witnessing more women and young professionals entering, which is encouraging,” she says. “But there is still work to do in mentorship, equal access to leadership and structural support.”
Her advice to aspiring professionals is direct: “This industry rewards passion, courage and persistence. Every new voice makes the sector stronger. If you believe in yourself and commit to learning, there is space for you in maritime leadership.”
Ultimately, she measures success not solely by occupancy or the growth of the marina but by the loyalty and pride people feel when they arrive. “If someone anchors at our marina ten years from now, I want them to feel absolute trust – that their yacht is safe, their family is welcome and their expectations are exceeded. More importantly, I want them to feel part of a living culture where tradition, sustainability and innovation meet.”
