Tendü Yoğurtçu Ph.D. ’00: The CTO Who Chose Stevens for Its Support of Women in STEM

Tendü Yoğurtçu Ph.D. ’00 dreamed of one day studying in the United States.

Stevens Institute of Technology helped her realize that dream.

After completing degrees in computer and industrial engineering at Turkey's Bosphorus University, she decided to explore what U.S. institutions could offer her in the way of doctoral studies.

“I visited universities that offered excellent programs, but Stevens also offered independence in choosing a research focus,” she recalls. “Plus, Stevens was known to encourage women in STEM. My advisors were well known in their disciplines, and they were tough, but every member of my Ph.D. thesis faculty treated me as an equal research associate.”

The diversity and cross-disciplinary culture at Stevens also helped Yoğurtçu broaden her thinking and has continued to benefit her in leadership roles during her subsequent career.

While pursuing her Stevens doctorate in computer science, she worked as a software engineer in the university's Design & Manufacturing Institute and conducted research in advanced telecommunications. She also developed leadership skills through a role as president of the Graduate Activities Board and as a student representative to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education accreditation committee. 

Today, as chief technology officer (CTO) of the Big Data firm Syncsort, Yoğurtçu directs technology strategy and innovation, leading product research and development programs. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member of Stevens' computer science department and serves on the Forbes Technology Council. Yoğurtçu was selected an Outstanding Executive in Technology for 2018 by Advancing Women in Technology and as CTO of the Year at the prestigious 2019 Women in IT Awards.