Bringing with her a solid academic background in biology and ecology, as well as a passion for sustainability and workplace safety, Sıla Koçyiğit recently joined Riskonet Turkey as a consultant. Her multidisciplinary expertise will now add a new dimension to our integrated risk-management services. We spoke to her to about her background, ambition and first impressions at Riskonet.
Bringing life sciences into risk management
Sıla holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s in ecology from Eskişehir Technical University. During her studies she focused on critical environmental issues, such as global warming, sustainability, and ecological impact. Her substantive engagement strengthened her interest in risk management, paying particular attention to environmental- and occupational-health and safety-challenges.
When it comes to research and the real world, she has always looked at the bigger picture, she explains. “There’s more to risk management than just technical compliance. It also requires an understanding of environmental dynamics and their impact on people and systems.”
Hitting the ground running at Riskonet Turkey
Upon joining Riskonet, in April 2025, Sıla immediately immersed herself in research into regulatory frameworks, reporting standards and current projects. “There’s certainly a lot to take in, particularly when it comes to the differences between local and international regulations. Fortunately, the team has been incredibly supportive.
Her first site visit – to a thermal power plant – was a real eyeopener, she concedes. “Being on-site showed me how important direct observation is, because you get to see and feel things that you just wouldn’t get from documents alone. It helps you identify and experience risks first hand, which is an indispensable element of a well-founded risk analysis.”
Mentorship and team culture
According to Sıla, one of the highlights of working at Riskonet is the collaborative team culture. “I have felt welcome from day one. Özlem Emgen, our Team Manager in Turkey, has been an incredible mentor. She has generously shared her extensive knowledge and this has helped me to grow quickly in my role.”
Academic rigor meets practical insight
Alongside her studies, Sıla has worked on several TÜBİTAK-supported research projects, including an investigation into green-roof systems and the biological effects of climate change. Her master’s thesis involved a comparative life-cycle assessment (LCA) of the use of fossil fuels versus renewable energy in steel production, an approach in which data analysis and environmental impact were both key.
Sıla is also certified in many areas. These include Occupational Health and Safety (Class C), Integrated Management Systems (ISO 9001, 14001, 45001) and internal auditing (ISO 19011:2018). All of which further underscore her risk-management capabilities.
Diverse experience, singular focus
Sıla’s professional journey to date includes practical experience with local government, assisting with research at a university and as a sustainability assistant in the textile industry. In all these role she acquired valuable experience in auditing, social compliance, and risk analysis. “I’ve worked on-site, in labs, in academic settings and in office environments. The variety has helped me learn several different approaches towards environmental care and safety.”
A holistic approach to risk
At Riskonet, Sıla intends to apply her background in life-sciences, thus making her approach to risk management even more integrated. “There is so much more to risk analysis than just technology and regulations; environmental and human impacts must also be taken into account. And that’s the added value that I will bring to our clients. I’m especially interested in aligning risk management with sustainability goals. Think here along the lines of implementing new technologies, realising smarter data analysis, and embedding risk awareness in the business culture.”
Drive and impact
What currently drives Sıla is the opportunity to work in a field that combines her academic passions with societal relevance. “I’ve always dreamed of contributing to a safer, more sustainable world and Riskonet gives me both the platform and the network to do exactly that.”
Looking ahead, she aims to immerse herself in projects in which the environment and occupational health and safety intersect.
What’s cooking?
Naast haar werk laat Sıla graag een andere kant van zichzelf zien. Ze speelt gitaar en piano, schrijft haar eigen songteksten en experimenteert in de keuken met wereldgerechten. “Mensen zijn vaak verrast door mijn muzikale kant”, lacht ze. “Ik ben serieus in mijn werk, maar in mijn vrije tijd is humor voor mij erg belangrijk.”
