Who We Are

Ayşem Burhanoğlu

Crossroads Training and Consultancy, Istanbul was founded in 2003 by Barbara Ferguson.

When Barbara Ferguson decided to retire from Crossroads, which offers licensed trainings to companies in Turkish and English. She handed the company over to Aysem Burhanoğlu , who joined the trainer staff in 2011. With Aysem Burhanoğlu, Crossroads continues its training and consultancy activities for domestic and international companies.

Aysem Burhanoğlu graduated from Izmir American College and Agean University Textile Engineering Department. She started her career in the textile industry. She worked in procurement, operations and quality departments of international companies. She gained experience in global procurement and management at Wal-Mart's purchasing office and founded her own company as an entrepreneur in 1998. Until 2007, she managed her company by taking an active role in business development, marketing and sales. After 2007, she carried her experience and knowledge to Human Resources sector. After graduating from Istanbul Technical University's "Human Resources Management Certificate" program, she started working as a consultant in a middle and senior management selection and placement firm. She added Executive Coaching to her field of service by completing the Adler Coaching School in 2013. She also facilitated Alain de Botton's " The School of Life" workshops ; How to Find a Job You Love, How to Be a Good Leader and Effective Communication at Work

She is currently continuing the tradition of Crossroads Training and Consulting company with 500+ recruitment interviews, 500+ coaching, 1000+ training experience.

Aysem Burhanoğlu is fluent in English and intermediate in German. She delivers Crossroads’ trainings and runs development programs in Turkish and English.

Defne Baycan

Defne Baycan graduated from Private Doğuş College and completed her undergraduate education in English Language and Literature at Istanbul University. Between 2001-2009, she worked in the support functions of multinational companies such as Loreal, Mey İçki, Hewlett-Packard, Liberty Insurance and PepsiCo. After 2011, she carried her knowledge and experience to the field of Human Resources at PepsiCo. She held different positions in PepsiCo Human Resources organisation both in Turkey, Europe and Global overseas organisations.

She worked as Organisational Development Specialist, Culture and Engagement Manager, Training and Development Manager and finally Global Functional Competency Manager under the Human Resources Talent Management department. During this period, she received Advanced Facilitator and Online Trainer (Virtual Facilitator) accreditation and provided many different leadership and personal development trainings to employees and managers of all levels within PepsiCo. She also supported the preparation of a large number of training content throughout her career and ensured that these trainings reach teams at all levels.

She provides Crossroads' patented trainings together with the on-line trainings she designed under the structure of Crossroads Human Resources and Consultancy company. During her career, she has conducted 1000+ trainings.

Since Defne speaks near-native English, she is able to deliver training content in both Turkish and English in face-to-face and online formats and also moderates leadership programmes.