IFA holds Annual Meeting in Chicago
Ms. Esin Mete Elected as President.
Ms. Esin Mete, CEO of Tekfen Holding’s Agri-Division and Chairwoman of Toros Agri-Industry Group, was elected today President of the International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA) during IFA’s Annual Conference in Chicago. Ms. Mete succeeds Mr. William J. Doyle, President and CEO of Potash Corp.
Ms. Mete’s Presidency builds on her years of active membership in the International Fertilizer Industry Association, in particular since joining IFA’s Executive Management Group in 2007. She has held various responsibilities including as chairwoman of the Finance Committee, Vice President for Communications and for Sustainable Development before becoming President.
Ms. Esin Mete Elected as IFA President
“I believe that the CEO’s responsibilities cannot be only limited to caring for his or her company’s interests. When we reach such levels of leadership, we become ambassadors for the whole industry we belong to. This is why I joined IFA and why I am now so proud to be its main ambassador for the next two years”. “Turkey is one of the few agriculturally self-sufficient countries in the world because modernizing the agricultural sector was one of the national strategies adopted in the early 1980s. My company was part of this strategy and has since been working with dedication to serve the agricultural sector, helping farmers maintain the fertility of their soils and grow more nutritious crops”. Ms. Mete was one of the pioneers who played an active role in combating malnutrition in Central Anatolia by providing Zinc-enhanced fertilizers to farmers through a partnership with the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Cukurova University. Because of her long experience in the agricultural sector working directly with farmer groups, Ms. Mete would like her Presidency to be dedicated to developing nutrient stewardship programs and promoting good fertilization practices by working closely with farmers’ organizations worldwide.
Ms. Mete was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tekfen Holding’s Agri Division and Chairwoman of Toros Agri Industry and Trade and of all its subsidiaries in April 2010. She started her career in Tekfen Group in 1973 as Chemical Engineer, upon graduating from Bosphorus University in Chemical Engineering, B.S. She spent her career climbing the corporate ladder in Tekfen Group, holding various positions from assistant Vice President (1980-1984) to Senior Vice President (1985-1990). In 1991, she was appointed the President of Toros Fertilizer, now known as Toros Agri. In 2000, she was appointed Tekfen Holding Vice President in charge of the Agri-Industry Group and in April 2010, she was appointed as CEO of the Agri-Industry Group of Tekfen Holding and Chairwoman of Toros Agri Industry and Trade and of all its subsidiaries.
“Esin Mete is a tremendously talented and experienced fertilizer industry executive,” outgoing President Bill Doyle commented, “and will take IFA to new heights.” Ms. Mete is the first ever female CEO to become President of the International Fertilizer Industry Association, which brings together close to 550 companies from more than 80 countries. “I am honored to take over this role,” said Ms. Mete, “and pleased that my Presidency follows on the heels of the appointment of IFA’s first female Director General, Ms. Charlotte Hebebrand. I hope that our nominations will pave the way towards more senior management and leadership roles for women in the international fertilizer industry.”
Ms. Mete was awarded “Most Successful Woman” in her sector for 2000 and 2003. She ranked 23rd in the survey of CAPITAL magazine’s “Most Powerful Women in Turkey” and as a contributor in the “Zinc Project” she has been found worthy of receiving the award for “Service to Humanity and to Turkey”. In 2011, she was bestowed the Order of Ouissam Alaouite by the King of Morocco for her perennial close cooperation and contributions to the development of the country.
