Burcu Açıkgöz

BURCU AÇIKGÖZ

A results-oriented Business Development and Sales professional with a strong foundation in psychology and human behavior, possessing deep insights into customer motivation, decision-making processes, and relationship dynamics. Proven track record of expanding client portfolios, closing contracts, and driving revenue growth in the technology, healthcare, and travel sectors. Expert in lead generation, negotiation, and behavioral data analysis to guide sales strategies and customer engagement. Experienced in international markets, easily adaptable to changing environments, and passionate about leveraging psychological insights to drive sustainable business growth and enhance customer experience.

EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
September 2019 — June 2022
Bachelor of Science, Mental Health Studies – Toronto, ON
Focus Areas: Clinical and Applied Psychology, Behavioral Health, Research Methods

MCGILL UNIVERSITY
September 2014 — May 2019
Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology & Minor in Psychology – Montreal, QC

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SaaS ACCOUNT MANAGER
August 2024 — Present
FIRST RESPONSE MENTAL HEALTH | Remote, based in Canada

• Managed the entire sales cycle from lead generation to contract signing via HubSpot CRM.

• Prepared custom proposals for public sector clients, ensuring compliance with tender requirements.

• Built relationships with government decision-makers in digital health and SaaS-based solutions to win contracts.

• Collaborated with product and technology teams to align sales strategy with platform capabilities.

• Increased usage of the health-based mobile app PeerConnect, improving access to mental health for first responders.

• Applied principles of motivation and behavioral engagement to increase user retention and app adoption.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST / TRAVEL CONSULTANT
February 2022 — December 2023
YKM TRAVEL GROUP | Remote, based in Istanbul

• Increased client portfolio by 10% within 6 months.

• Conducted consumer behavior analysis to identify post-pandemic travel motivations.

• Provided strategic insights by conducting research on psychological well-being and travel behavior trends.

• Increased growth and satisfaction by building collaborations with corporate clients, agencies, and global suppliers.

• Represented the company at international fairs, strengthening communication networks with knowledge of cross-cultural psychology.

RESEARCH AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT INTERN
April 2020 — December 2021
LIDYA TECHNOLOGY & HUMANAYZ | Remote, based in Istanbul & London

• Coordinated cross-functional teams in project planning, risk assessment, and reporting processes.

• Conducted research on consumer psychology during the COVID-19 period to shape product development and marketing strategies.

• Applied data-driven psychological analysis to improve digital engagement and user experience.

PROJECT INTERN
May 2018 — May 2019
PENSA SYSTEMS | Montreal, QC & Austin, TX

• Provided data collection and analysis support for machine learning developments in AI-powered retail technology.

• Prepared planograms and conducted quality controls to increase the accuracy of autonomous perception systems.

• Applied human factors and cognitive psychology principles to optimize retail product placement and perception accuracy.

PROJECTS / VOLUNTEER WORK

EARTHQUAKE EMERGENCY VOLUNTEER | Hatay, TR
February 2023 — May 2023

• Contributed to emergency relief efforts following the February 6, 2023 earthquake.

• Organized the distribution of basic necessities such as food, water, hygiene products, and blankets.

• Assisted in the establishment of temporary shelters to support the creation of safe living spaces.

• Conducted field work via telephone hotline to identify the needs of individuals affected by the crisis.

• Organized the transportation and distribution processes of relief supplies with the logistics team.

• Regularly performed registration and tracking of distributed aid.

BUSINESS & INNOVATION ASSOCIATE – COVID-19 PROJECT | Toronto, ON (remote)
July 2020 — November 2020

• Part of the team that identified misinformation about COVID-19 spreading on social media and countered it with evidence-based and reliable information.

• Conducted research on grant and funding opportunities, examined potential partnerships.

FIT FOR A CAUSE MCGILL – VICE PRESIDENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS | Montreal, QC
September 2018 — May 2019

• Organized donation-based sports events to support disadvantaged students and promote healthy living.

HEFORSHE & UN WOMEN MCGILL MEMBER | Montreal, QC
September 2017 — May 2019

• Organized awareness events on gender equality, stereotypes, and women’s empowerment.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Technical Skills:
Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), HubSpot CRM

Professional Development:

• Project Management Foundations Certificate – Coursera/Google

• Certificate of Completion: Certified Associate in Project Management

• Certificate of Completion: Digital Health

• Member, Psi Chi – The International Honor Society in Psychology (June 2021 – Present)

Interests:
Snowboarding, Travel, Running, Hiking

Languages:
English (Native/Bilingual), Turkish (Native/Bilingual), French (Advanced), Spanish (Basic)