FOUNDED BY DİDEM SÜMER TİRYAKİ

The potential in every beginning.

Her başlangıcın içindeki potansiyel.

Coaching, mentoring and tailored development solutions, bringing together psychology, professional experience and a thoughtful understanding of people.

Professional portrait of Didem Sümer Tiryaki in a blue blazer, smiling
12+ yearsin human resources
200+ hoursof 1:1 coaching
Degreein Psychology

Work

Two ways to work together.

Levera brings together my experience in people development, coaching, mentoring and learning design. Each engagement begins with the people involved and what matters to them.

For individuals

Coaching with Didem

Individual coaching and mentoring shaped around your questions, goals and circumstances. A space for deep conversation aimed at understanding your needs, for new perspectives and for meaningful choices.

Explore Coaching

For organizations

Levera for Organizations

Talent management, leadership development and tailored learning solutions. I work with organizations to understand their needs, design relevant development experiences and bring ideas into practice.

Explore Organizational Work
Didem Sümer Tiryaki smiling in a white shirt, seated against a white background

The Person Behind Levera

Professional experience. Personal perspective.

My work has always centered on people and how they grow, make choices and find their way within the organizations and environments around them.

For more than 12 years, I’ve worked across human resources, from the broad responsibilities of an HR Business Partner to talent management, leadership development and learning design.

Alongside my organizational work, and following my Gestalt coaching training and ICF (International Coaching Federation) accreditation, I’ve developed a coaching practice with 200+ hours of 1:1 coaching. My psychology education and Gestalt-informed approach continue to influence how I work with people.

My professional journey has connected me with people across countries and cultures. Moving to a new country added another dimension: not only to work across borders, but also to build a life across them.

Mentoring has also been a meaningful part of my journey since graduating from university; through voluntary initiatives, relationships with universities and the young professionals I have worked with throughout my career, I have gained a great deal of experience in this area.

Finally, the training I received in experiential play therapy from Dr. Byron Norton and Dr. Nilüfer Devecigil has helped me understand child and family dynamics, and to integrate coaching and mentoring into the process when working with parents.

The story behind the name

Why Levera

The name Levera is inspired by the idea of leverage. A small but well-placed effort can create a meaningful difference.

I’ve seen how the right support, at the right moment, can have an impact that goes far beyond the time spent together. Sometimes a single conversation opens up a new perspective. At other times, meaningful development takes shape through sustained work, trust and collaboration.

What matters to me is not simply the length of an engagement, but the value it creates for the people and organizations involved.

I founded Levera to bring this perspective into my work with individuals, teams and organizations. My aim is to contribute in ways that are thoughtful, practical and meaningful.

Education & Experience

Education & Training

Boğaziçi University, Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
The Gestalt Coaching ProgramGestalt Center for Coaching, 125 coach-specific training hours. Completed 2024.View certificate
IMD, Inspirational Leadership ProgramCompleted 2022View certificate
Online Mentoring ProgramRK Academy and Coaching & Leading Academy, 20 hours. EMCC Global Foundation-level accredited program.View certificate
Experiential Play Therapy Training (Levels 1 & 2)
Lewis Deep Democracy CoResolve FoundationCertificate of Attendance, issued November 2026.View certificate

Professional experience

  • More than 12 years in human resources
  • HR Business Partnering, talent management, leadership development and learning design

Coaching and mentoring experience

  • 200+ hours of 1:1 coaching
  • Gestalt-informed approach
  • Mentoring through voluntary initiatives, university relationships and professional development
ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC)View certificate

Coaching with DİDEM

A space to think, explore and move forward.

Coaching offers an opportunity to step away from the demands of everyday life and give your questions, goals and experiences the attention they deserve.

Didem Sümer Tiryaki seated at a table, hands resting together, in a warm and relaxed setting

My Approach

I see coaching as a collaborative process built on trust, curiosity and attentive listening. My Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Gestalt-informed approach and training in experiential learning shape how I work.

For me, being present means paying attention to what is happening in the conversation and making room for the experience behind the words. I believe that noticing how we think, feel and respond can open up new perspectives.

My role is not to provide ready-made answers. It is to listen carefully, ask meaningful questions and create a space where you can explore your own experience, recognize possibilities and make choices that matter to you.

Mentoring

Mentoring is a relationship built on trust, openness and mutual learning. While coaching focuses on helping you explore your own thinking and choices, mentoring may also involve sharing relevant knowledge and experience.

What We Might Explore

Professional development and career direction, leadership, decisions and priorities, confidence and boundaries, transitions and personal questions. These are examples, not a fixed program.

How We Work Together

We can begin with a 45-minute chemistry conversation to get to know one another and explore whether coaching or mentoring is the right fit. Sessions can take place online, or in person by arrangement.

Book a Chemistry Conversation

Coaching & mentoring

In Their Words

Reflections from people I have worked with through coaching and mentoring.

The sessions I had with Didem were much more than just conversations; they were eye-opening moments of self-discovery.

The sessions I had with Didem were much more than just conversations; they were eye-opening moments of self-discovery. Didem’s calm presence, sincere approach, and ability to quickly pinpoint the heart of a matter made me feel both understood and guided. Her thoughtful questions gently led me toward insights I hadn’t been able to articulate on my own. She created a safe, non-judgmental space where I could truly reflect and grow.

Through this journey, I gained a deeper understanding of myself, became more in tune with my inner voice, and found practical direction for both my personal and professional life.

I feel truly lucky to have crossed paths with Didem. Her guidance has left a lasting impact, and I’m sincerely grateful for the clarity and confidence she helped me uncover.

Dilruba Benzerler
Compensation and Benefits Lead, Tüpraş

My coaching experience with Didem has been truly valuable, both professionally and personally. What I appreciated most was her ability to listen, understand my perspective, and challenge my thinking in a very natural and constructive way.

My coaching experience with Didem has been truly valuable, both professionally and personally. What I appreciated most was her ability to listen, understand my perspective, and challenge my thinking in a very natural and constructive way.

Didem has a great balance of empathy and a strong focus on outcomes. Our conversations were always meaningful and practical, and she made sure that the insights we discussed translated into real actions. Her genuine interest, regular follow-ups, and commitment to my progress made a real difference.

I particularly valued how she helped me look at situations from different angles, become more aware of my own strengths, and approach challenges with greater clarity and confidence.

It has been a pleasure working with Didem. I am grateful for her support, positive energy, and the lasting impact she has had on my personal and professional development.

Burak Budak
CFO Europe, Piladis

With Gratitude to Didem… Before I started mentoring, I felt like I was trying to drive a car without holding the steering wheel.

With Gratitude to Didem…

Before I started mentoring, I felt like I was trying to drive a car without holding the steering wheel. I knew the direction I wanted to go, but I couldn’t fully take control. This journey taught me how to hold the wheel with the right grip—and how to steer consciously to the right or left when needed.

Thanks to Didem’s strong observational skills and deep emotional insight, I had the chance to better understand myself and hear my inner voice more clearly. By asking the right questions, she helped me discover my own answers. Her guidance not only heightened my awareness but also showed me how to tap into and use my inner strength.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Didem—for being a source of inspiration, for contributing to my growth, and for helping me unlock the potential within me.

Nur Budakoğlu
R&D Manager, Cargill

Thanks to the work we've done together, I’ve learned to approach myself with a more objective and deeper perspective.

Thanks to the work we've done together, I’ve learned to approach myself with a more objective and deeper perspective. Through the questions you asked, the reflections you offered, and the guidance you provided, it felt like the clouds in my mind started to clear. I’ve begun to hear my inner voice more clearly and to define my needs, boundaries, and values more openly.

Your calm yet strong guidance not only created a safe space for me, but also encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. Throughout this journey, my personal awareness has grown, and I’ve started making more conscious decisions professionally as well. Most importantly, I’ve clearly learned how to experience and manage my emotions.

I will always be deeply grateful to you for this journey. Thank you so much :)

Ahmet Tarık Günç
Key Account Manager, Philip Morris

It was truly a stroke of luck for me to meet dear Didem nearly 10 years ago, right at the beginning of my career.

It was truly a stroke of luck for me to meet dear Didem nearly 10 years ago, right at the beginning of my career. Since that day, she has been not only a guiding light in my personal and professional development, but also a true companion on my journey. From technical know-how about business life to essential social skills, she has helped steer me in the right direction. Most importantly, she has stood by me not just as a mentor, but as a trusted person.

Together, we thoroughly analyzed my current situation and questioned long-standing habits that were actually holding back my growth. Then, we built a solid and sustainable roadmap aligned with my goals—and having successfully completed the initial phases of this roadmap, we continue to move forward.

Didem’s analytical approach, open-mindedness, deep insights, and her ability to truly understand me made the process not only effective, but also enjoyable and safe. Over time, I came to realize that many of the answers I had long been searching for out in the world were actually within me all along.

Where I stand today, I’m finally reaping the rewards of this journey. And having Didem by my side—as both a coach and a friend—is truly priceless.

Dr. Ece Tezcan Kaleli
FP&A Supervisor, Deloitte EMEA

Thanks to Ms. Didem, during one of the most challenging times in my life, I learned how to approach and navigate difficulties with more clarity and self-awareness.

Thanks to Ms. Didem, during one of the most challenging times in my life, I learned how to approach and navigate difficulties with more clarity and self-awareness. In our sessions, she brought a calm, thoughtful presence and asked gentle yet meaningful questions that helped me reflect and better understand myself. She created a space where I felt safe to face emotions and patterns I had long avoided. Her deep understanding of human behavior made me feel both supported and gently challenged. As a result, I now feel more connected, clear, and resilient

Betül Özgen
Credit Analytics Assistant Specialist / MT, Kuveytürk

My coaching experience with Didem was truly transformative, both professionally and personally. At the beginning, I had doubts since it was my first exposure to coaching.

My coaching experience with Didem was truly transformative, both professionally and personally. At the beginning, I had doubts since it was my first exposure to coaching. However, her calm approach, strong communication skills, and thoughtful guidance quickly proved me wrong. Every session felt uniquely tailored to me rather than following a generic structure. Instead of placing me into predefined categories, she treated me as an individual, creating a safe environment where I could openly share my thoughts and perspectives.

Throughout this journey, I discovered valuable insights about myself and how I interact with others. I noticed a significant improvement in my communication skills at work, and I learned how even small adjustments in perception can lead to meaningful change. Her guidance on reconciling my authentic self with my professional persona helped me turn what I previously saw as a dilemma into a strength. This has had a lasting positive impact not only on my career but also on my personal life.

I am very grateful to have worked with Didem. Her expertise, empathy, and ability to ask the right questions made every session engaging and impactful. I always looked forward to our conversations, and I finished the coaching process with a stronger, clearer perspective on both my professional and personal journey.

Yakup Yıldız
Key Account Manager, Doğadan

Levera for Organizations

Thoughtful development, shaped around real needs.

Through Levera, I support organizations with talent management, leadership development and tailored learning solutions.

My approach draws on more than 12 years of experience across HR Business Partnering, talent management and learning and development. I collaborate with leaders, stakeholders and specialists to design learning experiences tailored to specific needs.

An architectural bookstore with an ornate staircase railing, wooden doorways and bookshelves

Talent & Leadership Development

Talent development initiatives, leadership programs, mentoring programs and tailored learning journeys connected to participants’ roles and organizational priorities.

People & Organizational Effectiveness

People-focused development initiatives, leadership alignment, culture-related conversations and support for evolving organizational needs.

Teams & Facilitation

Team coaching, facilitated conversations and development experiences focused on collaboration, communication, shared understanding and team dynamics.

How I Work

Understanding Before Designing

Listening to context, priorities and expectations before choosing an approach.

Co-Creating the Right Approach

Tailoring programs and learning experiences with the relevant people.

Collaborating When Needed

Working independently and collaborating with trusted professionals I’ve personally worked with when an engagement calls for additional expertise.

From Design to Practice

Supporting discovery, design, facilitation, implementation and reflection where relevant.

Start a Conversation

Notes

Writing, reflections and conversations.

Writing has long been a way for me to make sense of what I experience, observe and learn.

Here, I share reflections on people, work, learning and life, alongside my book, previously published articles and conversations I’ve been part of.

A quiet reading corner with two brown leather armchairs, a small round table of books and a tall window

Latest Notes

A home for new writing

A space for reflections on people, work, learning and the questions that stay with me. New writing will appear here as it is published.

Contact

Let’s explore what you need.

Whether you’re considering individual coaching or mentoring, or looking for support with an organizational initiative, I’d be glad to hear from you.

Share a little about what you’re looking for, and we can explore the next step together.

For coaching, we can begin with a 45-minute chemistry conversation.

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