ATTACHMENT B-7
Tugce Yanarkol
Program Specialist | Google PM-Certified | Legal & Compliance Background | CAPM Candidate Detail-oriented Program Specialist with extensive experience in program execution, compliance, and project coordination. Skilled in managing timelines, stakeholder communications, and ensuring regulatory adherence. Adept at leveraging data-driven insights and project tracking tools to enhance efficiency and outcomes. Bilingual in English and Turkish, with a strong background in legal and operational management. Seeking to apply expertise in structured program management and strategic oversight to drive impactful initiatives in a dynamic environment.
CORE COMPETENCIES
● Problem Solving & Decision Making
● Strong Oral & Written Communication
● Team Collaboration & Leadership
● Flexibility & Adaptability
● Data Analysis & Reporting
● Stakeholder Engagement & Client
Relations
● Project Coordination & Execution
● Organizational & Time Management
Skills
● Compliance & Regulatory Adherence
● Process Improvement & Risk
Management
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Program Specialist
Civil Rights and Compliance, AC Transit, Oakland, CA (April 2024 – April 2025) • Successfully managed multiple ongoing programs, improving implementation efficiency and tracking systems across departments.
• Developed and maintained detailed documentation systems to enhance program performance tracking and ensure up-to-date compliance records.
• Streamlined administrative processes by organizing and distributing essential documents, reports, and correspondence, improving daily workflow efficiency. • Provided operational and strategic support to senior leadership in the execution of key programs and organizational initiatives.
• Acted as liaison between participants, staff, and community organizations, strengthening communication channels and improving program accessibility. • Increased accuracy of random drug testing results from 60% to over 90% by improving data handling processes and standardizing protocols, significantly boosting compliance and audit readiness.
Legal Secretary & Legal Assistant
Department of General Counsel, AC Transit & Various Law Firms – Oakland & Berkeley, CA (2022- 2024) • Supported legal operations across public and private sector environments by managing case workflows, ensuring timely execution of legal processes, and maintaining regulatory compliance. • Developed and maintained detailed documentation and filing systems to enhance tracking accuracy, improve audit preparedness, and support legal performance reporting. • Streamlined administrative processes by drafting legal correspondence, organizing reports, and coordinating schedules, leading to improved operational efficiency. • Acted as liaison between legal counsel, clients, court personnel, and internal departments, facilitating smooth communication and case coordination. • Provided strategic and operational support to attorneys and senior staff by assisting in document preparation, case planning, and meeting critical legal deadlines. • Increased accuracy of legal compliance records and internal reporting systems, contributing to improved data integrity and stronger audit readiness.
Attorney & Assistant Manager – Legal Operations & Call Center Oversight Gelecek Asset Management & M&D Law Firm – Istanbul, Turkey (2015 – 2021) • Faced with high operational turnover and inconsistent performance in a 60-person call center, implemented a comprehensive legal and compliance training program. - Trained all 60 employees at Gelecek Asset Management on debt collection laws, client interaction, and compliance protocols. Increased legal compliance, reduced client complaints, and improved resolution efficiency across teams. Resulted in stronger adherence to financial regulations and enhanced call center professionalism.
• At M&D Law Firm, led a team of 10 call center employees with limited structure and low process consistency.
- Introduced structured training, performance tracking, and standardized legal procedures.
Resulted in improved case handovers, stronger client communications, and more accurate documentation. Enhanced overall call center productivity and legal support performance. • Faced with organizational inefficiencies in legal recovery processes. - Personally managed over 500 debt recovery cases across both firms, developing case strategies, negotiating settlements, and preparing litigation as needed. Secured high-value resolutions and ensured compliance with Turkish financial regulations. Boosted revenue recovery rates and reduced outstanding delinquent accounts.
• Observed unclear alignment between employee skill sets and performance expectations at Gelecek Asset Management.
- Advised senior leadership on optimizing role placement based on individual strengths and compliance outcomes. Strengthened workforce allocation, improved morale, and increased output efficiency. Played a strategic role in developing the firm's call center evaluation model. • Identified gaps in legal training and regulatory knowledge at both organizations. - Designed and delivered training programs on workers’ compensation law, financial compliance, and call center procedures. Elevated legal literacy across frontline teams and enhanced legal accuracy in call center transactions.
• Represented both organizations in external engagements, with inconsistent stakeholder collaboration.
- Served as liaison to legal partners, creditors, and regulatory agencies.
Improved trust, facilitated smoother case escalations, and reinforced the firm's reputation in financial recovery.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS
Google Project Management Professional Certificate, Online, May 2025 Istanbul Bar Association Member, Istanbul, Turkey, October 2015 Bachelor of Law, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey, June 2014
LANGUAGES
Turkish (Native) | English (Fluent) | French (Basic)