Mehmet Egemen Pembe

About Me

Technology executive with 19+ years of experience leading software engineering, product development, and digital transformation programs across global enterprises and startups. Former fintech CTO who built and scaled a California-based marketplace from concept to production, managing distributed teams and ensuring compliance with global standards. A rare leader who bridges the gap between high-growth startup agility (building a fintech platform from scratch) and enterprise-scale governance (managing $1M budgets and 30+ person vendor teams at Yum! Brands). Expert in driving sustainable transformation by leveraging modern (AI, Cloud, Microservices) technology to core business objectives.

Expertise

• IT Strategy & Executive Leadership
• Software Architecture & Scalable Systems
• AI Integration & Product Development
• Cloud Platforms & DevOps
• Vendor & Contract Management
• Agile, ITIL, & Scrum (Certified)

Success Stories

Discover how I’ve led IT transformations, developed innovative platforms, managed vendor migrations, and navigated startup challenges. From optimizing operations at Roche and Yum! Brands to delivering key projects at EmployeeZ, these case studies highlight practical, impactful solutions.

Artificial Intelligence Projects

• AI-Driven Corporate Innovation Ideas: Publishing thought leadership content on AI trends and applications via LinkedIn. Learn More About AI Ideas
• AI Vision: Image Processing with AI Project: A proof of concept demonstrating AI-powered image analysis and description using vision models with Ollama and Node.js. Learn More About AI Vision
• Ollama AI Model Integration Project: Developing and testing AI models (LLaMA 3.2, Gemma 2) using Ollama with Node.js. Learn More About Ollama AI Integration
• LLamaSharp AI Model Integration Project: Creating a proof of concept (POC) with LLamaSharp using .NET and C#. Learn More About LLamaSharp AI Integration
• Offline AI Model Deployment Project: Deploying AI solutions on AWS and local environments for performance optimization. Learn More About Offline AI

EmployeeZ Projects

• EmployeeZ Web and Social Presence: Refined the company’s online presence across various digital channels and events. Learn More About EmployeeZ Web and Social Presence
• EmployeeZ Mobile Apps: Cross-platform mobile apps for Android and iOS developed using React Native. Learn More About EmployeeZ Mobile Apps
• EmployeeZ Web API: Designed and implemented a robust .NET Core-based API for seamless platform interaction. Learn More About EmployeeZ Web API
• EmployeeZ Live Video Streaming Web App: Integrated Daily.co and Dolby.io for real-time live video streaming. Learn More About EmployeeZ Live Web App
• EmployeeZ Stripe Payment Integration: Integrated Stripe for secure payment processing across the platform. Learn More About EmployeeZ Stripe Integration
• EmployeeZ Mercury Bank Integration: Integrated Mercury to enable secure and seamless payout processing across the platform. Learn More About EmployeeZ Mercury Integration
• EmployeeZ Digital Wallet: Developed a digital wallet feature for securely processing transactions and refunds. Learn More About EmployeeZ Wallet
• EmployeeZ Carbon Hero Project: Contributing 1% of every gig purchase on the platform to support vital carbon removal initiatives. Learn More About Carbon Hero
• EmployeeZ Social Modules: Developed features like “Lounge,” “Interactive Challenges,” and “Post Together” to drive user engagement. Learn More About EmployeeZ Social Modules
• EmployeeZ ZBot Chatbot Development: Implemented an interactive chatbot to assist users in the platform. Learn More About EmployeeZ ZBot
• EmployeeZ IRS Compliance and Data Privacy Projects: Ensured full IRS, GDPR, and CCPA compliance for data handling and tax processes. Learn More About EmployeeZ Compliance

Yum! Brands Projects

• KFC & Pizza Hut E-Commerce Projects: Led e-commerce site development and payment integration for both brands. Learn More About KFC & Pizza Hut E-Commerce Projects
• KFC Delivery Tracking Project: Implemented Bringg for GPS-based order tracking. Learn More About Delivery Tracking Project
• Yum! Brands JD Edwards ERP Project: Managed the implementation of Oracle JD Edwards ERP for efficient resource management. Learn More About JD Edwards Project
• Yum! Brands MacromatiX Back-of-House ERP Project: Oversaw the roll-out of MacromatiX with HotSchedules, enhancing operational efficiency. Learn More About MacromatiX Project
• Yum! Brands POS System Modernization Project: Led the modernization of point-of-sale systems and the ÖKC compliance project. Learn More About POS System Modernization Project
• Yum! Brands Supplier Integration Project: Integrated key suppliers like HAVI and Banvit into restaurant systems for better supply chain management. Learn More About Supplier Integration Project
• Yum! Brands Data & Reporting Enhancement Project: Delivered BI reports via AWS Redshift and integrated with global guest experience surveys. Learn More About Enhancement Project
• Yum! Brands HQ Dashboard Project: Developed a real-time business dashboard for KFC and Pizza Hut HQ. Learn More About HQ Dashboard Project
• Yum! Brands GDPR and KVKK Compliance Project: Ensured compliance with global and local privacy laws across all platforms. Learn More About Compliance Project

Roche Projects

• Roche Mobile CRM (mCRM) Innovation Project: Developed the first mobile-enabled CRM solution for Roche, recognized as a global innovation. Learn More About Mobile CRM Project
• A Space for Medical People Project: Generated the idea and developed a global social network for medical professionals, awarded by Roche Turkey’s CEO. Learn More About A Space for Medical People Project
• Roche CRM ETL/Data Migration Project: Led data migration for CRM across multiple countries in Western Europe. Learn More About CRM ETL Project
• Roche CRM Harmonization Project: Standardized CRM processes and integrated with third-party systems. Learn More About CRM Harmonization
• Roche Pharmaceuticals SAP Ariba Integration project: Developing a custom application to interface with SAP Ariba, Roche’s global procurement and supplier management platform. Learn More About SAP Ariba Integration

Kantar (TNS Piar) Projects

• TNS Piar Otomasyon ERP Project: Developed an integrated ERP solution that streamlined finance and accounting operations. Learn More About Otomasyon Project
• TNS Piar Web-based Survey System: Developed a web-based survey application using Microsoft .NET for client feedback collection.
• TNS Piar Reports: Created 45 online reports for TNS Turkey’s C-level executives using Crystal Reports.

Additional Projects

• MBA Graduation Project (Beykent University): Multi-Dimensional Analysis of Best-Employer Identification: Multinational Companies Operating in Turkey. Learn More About MBA Graduation Project
• Hobby Project: GeoPinned.com: Created a location-based social platform for sharing geotagged content. Learn More About GeoPinned Project
• E-Plan Project: Developed an event planning platform that allows users to organize and manage events. Learn More About E-Plan Project
• University Graduation Project: Developed a global Windows application updater using Microsoft BITS and .NET.

My Resume

View my experience, education, certifications, and key accomplishments. PDF version available for download.

Professional Experience

• AI & Digital Transformation Consultant | Independent | İstanbul, Türkiye | Jan 2025–Present
Conducting strategic R&D to develop and validate enterprise-ready AI solutions. Focused on bridging the gap between emerging AI/Cloud technology and practical business application.

• CTO (Chief Technology Officer) | EmployeeZ, Inc. | Irvine, CA (Remote from İstanbul, TR) | May 2021 – Dec 2024
Led the end-to-end technology function of a fintech gig marketplace. Oversaw development, infrastructure, and product delivery for web and mobile platforms.

• Technology Consultant | Independent | İstanbul, Türkiye | Oct 2018 – Apr 2021
Short-term consulting engagements for SMEs and startups, delivering digital transformation, e-commerce, and platform development projects.

• IT Solutions Manager | Yum! Brands | İstanbul, Türkiye | Nov 2014 – Apr 2018
Reported to the CIO, managed an annual IT budget of ~$1M, and led internal and vendor teams delivering enterprise digital projects across Türkiye.

• Software Development Team Lead / Senior Developer | Roche | İstanbul, Türkiye | Feb 2008 – Jan 2014
Led multi-national software development and CRM projects, managing cross-functional teams to deliver enterprise solutions across Europe and globally.

• Senior Software Developer | Kantar (TNS Piar) | İstanbul, Türkiye | Jul 2005 – Feb 2008
Software Solutions team member supporting 100+ HQ employees with internal applications and tools.

• Electrical Project Manager | Eto Enerji | İstanbul, Türkiye | May 2003 – Nov 2004
Oversaw multi-site electrical infrastructure projects, managing teams and client relationships to deliver commercial and retail installations across Turkey.

Let's Connect

For opportunities, collaborations, or a quick chat on tech leadership, feel free to reach out via LinkedIn.