Deniz Keskin had travelled the world as a professional tennis player. Then, economics and business development caught her attention, and she became a determined Business Development Professional and now PMO (Project Management Office) at PMI.
Where are you from?
I’m originally from Istanbul, but I lived in another city in southern Turkey for 15 years. I came back here right after high school, for college, where I studied economics.
When did you join PMI?
I joined in 2015. Previously, I was in finance at a multinational consumer goods company, and I was looking for an opportunity outside finance. I wanted a more commercial role, somewhere where I could take on more responsibilities. Philip Morris approached me, and I thought it was a good opportunity.
What do you do?
I’m in Business Development. I came back from maternity leave in July 2019, and now I’m in the Project Management Office. Together with a colleague, we manage the top strategic projects of our affiliate. In other words, we’re the time & quality keepers. We make sure the projects are delivered on time, in full and at the right cost.
What would your colleagues say about you?
That I get along well with people, and that I like socializing with them.
How was coming back after maternity leave?
It was a challenge, I have to admit. It sometimes felt like I left my life outside of work to come back to the office. I had a ‘social’ maternity leave, unlike some people. Sometimes people get tired of taking care of the baby, and they almost run back to work! That wasn’t true in my case. But I have a colleague with whom I shared the workload in the early days. If I had to go home, or to an appointment, he would cover for me. It was great to have that support.
When does your alarm go off in the morning?
7:35 a.m. I feed my child, get dressed, and eat breakfast. Turkish breakfast, of course! Feta cheese, tomatoes, olives, bread, butter, and honey.
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What’s the best part of your job?
Working with all the different stakeholders across departments, trying to get to know more people in the business. That’s what’s great about project-based work.
And what’s the biggest challenge?
Sometimes I do longer hours, but I always try to keep a good work-life balance.
What do you do after work?
I was a professional tennis player. I started when I was five. I had a club, I was a sponsored tennis player and I attended many tournaments, in the Turkish equivalent to the WTA. I’m not playing at the moment though – my family come first now!
And what’s your plan B?
If I had to dream, it would be to manage my own start-up. There’s this big idea which turned into a huge company now, a Turkey-based grocery store delivery app, which inspires me a lot. I’d like to have been the person who had set it up.
What advice would you give to a new hire?
To come up with innovative solutions to everyday problems. It’s easy to fall into a sort of routine, with tasks, meetings, deadlines. So, challenge yourself, set the bar a little higher, keep the creative side of your brain active with each new day.
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