Cigdem Oktem

Central Region Leader, Center for Board Matters, Ernst & Young LLP

Cigdem (pronounced “Cheedem") Oktem has been a trusted advisor to C-suite executives and directors of large companies for the past 15 years. Her combination of governance, strategy and finance knowledge along with her experience of delivering insights in boardroom settings have enabled her to drive productive, actionable discussions for key decision-makers. She currently serves the EY Central Region as a board liaison, bringing emerging issues in governance and strategy to directors to equip them to ask better questions in an increasingly complex environment.

Prior to joining the firm, Oktem worked with audit chairs of Fortune 500 companies, managing and leading a corporate governance program focused on peer-based learning at Tapestry Networks. Her experience includes overseeing global research and content delivery for CFOs, controllers and chief strategy officers during her tenure at CEB (now Gartner). She has also experienced the challenges of the startup world, serving as CFO for a risk-management software company, Near-Miss Management. She is currently based in Atlanta, GA.