Binnaz Cubukcu

Former Global Leader at IKEA & Leadership Development Strategist

  • Founder of PiperRussell Consultancy
  • External Faculty at Deloitte University EMEA
  • Former Manager of Concept Definition and Conceptualisation

When Binnaz Cubukcu is booked for events, they are known to discuss the following speaking topics:

AI-in-Business: Aligning AI with Human Intention for Meaningful Business Impact
The AI Alignment Framework: Bridging the CHRO-CTO Divide
The Human Moat: Why Your Culture is Your Only Sustainable Advantage
AI Unplugged: Reclaiming Your Time, Your Brain, and Your Company

Binnaz Çubukçu is an AI-in-Business advocate, leadership development strategist, and founder of PiperRussell Consultancy. With over 25 years of global experience spanning leadership, learning, and ethics, she helps organisations and executives navigate the intersection of human leadership and emerging technology. A former global leader at IKEA, Binnaz is recognised for her work in building inclusive, values-driven leadership cultures and her commitment to helping businesses harness artificial intelligence responsibly. As a keynote speaker, mentor, and trainer, she delivers transformative sessions that inspire leaders to combine ethics, innovation, and empathy in the age of AI.

Binnaz began her career as a Learning and Development Specialist at Türkiye İş Bankası before joining IKEA Turkey in 2005, where she advanced through several key leadership roles. Over her eight-year tenure at Inter IKEA Group, she led large-scale transformation initiatives, including the Multichannel Transformation Programme, and served as Manager of Concept Definition and Conceptualisation. Her later appointment as Ethics and Integrity Leader saw her responsible for embedding the company’s global Code of Conduct and integrating ethical leadership into corporate strategy across multiple markets. Her approach balanced business growth with social responsibility, a philosophy that continues to shape her work today.

Her academic and professional development reflects a lifelong passion for innovation and learning. Binnaz holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Dokuz Eylül University in Turkey, completed the Digital Strategies for Business programme at Emeritus, and earned a Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence from Rome Business School. In addition to her consultancy work, she serves as External Faculty at Deloitte University EMEA, delivering the General Manager Milestone Programme, and as an AI Mentor with AI4ALL, helping executives integrate artificial intelligence in ethical and human-centred ways.

As founder of PiperRussell Consultancy, Binnaz partners with organisations to design leadership and AI strategies that are both future-focused and values-led. She is a Leadership Professional in Ethics & Compliance (LPEC) and an active mentor with Startupbootcamp and Ashoka. Her keynote sessions, including AI Unplugged: Reclaiming Your Time, Your Brain, and Your Company and AI-in-Business: Aligning AI with Human Intention for Meaningful Impact, have positioned her as a thought leader in conscious technology adoption. Combining warmth, wisdom, and practicality, Binnaz empowers leaders to lead ethically, think strategically, and thrive in the era of AI.

Official Testimonials

Binnaz Cubukcu is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:

“The way Binnaz hosted the sessions with the retailers were impressive. She was kind, warm and challenging at the same time with her questions opening up for deeper discussions and connections.”

Business Plan Weeks, IKEA

“Binnaz captures the interest of the audience immediately. Then she takes them through a journey of being in the moment and heading to the future in the most welcoming yet pragmatic way possible.”

DT&CX Summit

“Binnaz was awesome and her facilitation was excellent. She’s full of energy and loads of knowledge about what she does, she can make the room comfortable in a matter of seconds and make even the most reluctant talk.”

Deloitte University EMEA

“Thank you for such a lovely workshop/think tank session. I had an absolute great time and really enjoyed seeing AI from your perspective – AI Unplugged works!”

SPARQzone & AI Unplugged

“Binnaz was great – I really enjoyed the sessions she covered. She was very engaging, curious, and held time for us to respond – allowing awkward silences for people to collect thoughts and not rushing. She felt very safe.”

AI4ALL

“I really enjoyed the programme as it concentrated on leadership skills that are necessary for creative leaders. The exercises and discussions were excellent at making us think differently and how to utilise our skills.”

IKEA UK/IE

To enquire about Binnaz Cubukcu for your event or corporate function, simply contact us via agent@inspirational-leadership-speakers.com or call a booking agent on 0203 0070 320.