Interim Director, Black School of Business, and Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management, Penn State Behrend.
About her job: I teach undergraduate courses in the Project and Supply Chain Management program and graduate courses in the MBA and iMBA programs. I conduct research in operations and supply chain management and serve as an editor for several academic journals in my discipline. I also take part in various service activities including committee work for my department, school, college, and the University.
Hometown: Izmir, Turkey. Izmir is Turkey’s third-largest city with a population of over 4 million people. Located on the western coast of Anatolia, Izmir features 8,000 years of history, numerous natural attractions, and an average of eight hours of sunshine per day.
Family: Two children, a fourteen-year-old daughter, and a seven-year-old son.
Goals as a member of WEC board: I hope to encourage discussion and interaction among women from the Erie region, Behrend, and Penn State. As a business faculty member, I also hope to inspire women to consider careers in business, especially in the intersection of business, technology, and social impact.
On the rewards of her work: I enjoy interacting with students and my favorite moments are when they get excited about the subject matter I am teaching and ask questions that bring a fresh perspective to the understanding of the topic. It is energizing. I also love to hear from former students and take pride in seeing how quickly many of them find success after graduation.
Tick Tock: My biggest challenge at work is time management. There is always more to do than there is time to do it.
Most important traits for a professional woman to possess: Integrity, confidence, drive, and discipline.
Best advice she’s ever received: You can’t please everyone all of the time, and that is OK.
Food she wouldn’t want to live without: Chocolate.
What you’d be surprised to know about her: I was 32 weeks pregnant when interviewed for my job at Behrend.
Most interesting place she’s ever visited: The Big Buddha on Lantau Island in Hong Kong. Ephesus and Pamukkale, “the cotton castle,” are two of my favorite spots in Turkey.
Dr. Demirag is happy to connect with you and is open to mentoring. How to reach her:
- LinkedIn: Dr. Demirag's LinkedIn Profile
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 814-898-6717
- Office: 281E Burke Center, Penn State Behrend