Deniz Torcu

IE University

Executive Director of Portfolio and Experience

Biography

Deniz Torcu is the Executive Director of Portfolio and Experience at IE Business School in Madrid, where she also teaches as Adjunct Faculty. Her career spans the public, private, and international sectors, reflecting a strong commitment to culture, education, and inclusion. Before joining IE, she worked with UNESCO and the Instituto Cervantes, collaborating with governments and international organizations on cultural diplomacy, multilingualism, and education policy initiatives across Europe and the Mediterranean. In the private sector, she led communications and public relations strategies for multinational brands, gaining first-hand insight into how storytelling and leadership intersect across industries. Deniz brings a transversal profile shaped by years of designing programs that connect people, ideas, and institutions. Her work focuses on building inclusive learning ecosystems that foster belonging, well-being, and purpose in global environments. She is currently pursuing her PhD on cultural identity and multilingualism in contemporary Europe, expanding her exploration of how language and culture shape leadership. Selected as a Rising Talent of the Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society in 2024, Deniz continues to contribute to global conversations on equity, education, and the power of culture as a bridge for understanding and change.