An Inspired Chat with Hulya Kurt of Geneva

Hulya Kurt shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hulya, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Setting the intention for the day. Preparing my infusion water, oil pulling, having my 10-minute meditation, doing my sports, coffee, and then the day may start, with a review of what meetings I have that day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am often described as a Capacity Builder and Vocation Architect. After more than three decades in the corporate world leading global programs and championing diversity and inclusion, I decided to “break free from my hamster wheel” and build a business that reflects my true passion — empowering people to unlock their full potential.

Through my company InnKick, I help ambitious professionals, entrepreneurs, and organizations reignite their passion, build momentum, and own their career story. What makes my brand unique is that it blends clarity, confidence, and cultural intelligence — three pillars I believe are essential for success in today’s global, fast-changing world.

My work spans from career coaching and leadership development to cross-cultural communication and public speaking training. Whether I’m guiding mid-career professionals through a career reset, helping women entrepreneurs strengthen their business presence, or working with global teams to build bridges across cultures, my mission is always the same: to help people move forward with purpose and impact.

At the moment, I’m especially excited about expanding my signature workshops such as Break Free from Your Hamster Wheel and Confidence Currency, as well as building collaborative spaces like the Women Presidents Organization in Switzerland and my role as President of OWIT International.

What drives me most is seeing the ripple effect — when one person finds their voice, gains clarity, or takes bold action, it inspires change not only in their own life, but also in their workplace, family, and community.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My very first job was where I truly began to learn. A remarkable businesswoman — who I would today call a mentor — took me under her wing. She patiently taught me everything from how to answer phones professionally to writing letters on a typewriter (yes, no laptops back then!), even how to use fax and telex machines.

But beyond the technical skills, what made her so special was the way she believed in me. She saw potential I hadn’t yet recognized in myself and encouraged me to apply for more demanding roles, always pushing me to grow and succeed. To this day, I remain deeply grateful for her guidance — she laid the foundation for the professional I’ve become.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a time when I truly felt like giving up. It happened when life struck me with an unimaginable loss — the sudden passing of my spouse, my soulmate, from a heart attack at home. I couldn’t grasp what was happening. In those moments, everything felt meaningless. I questioned why I was working so hard, why I was building a business, and what the purpose of it all really was.

On top of my own grief, I was supporting my son through his anxiety and panic attacks after losing his father. It was one of the most difficult chapters of my life, and there were times when I simply wanted to give up on everything.

What helped me pick myself up was a constant reminder: that I have an impact on others. That I can guide people, help them see their own potential, and inspire them to move forward. Holding on to that purpose slowly fueled my soul again and gave me the strength to continue.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
That’s such a powerful question. For me, the public version of who I am is not a performance — it is very much a reflection of the real me. Of course, like anyone, I adapt my message to different audiences, but the core values, the energy, and the passion you see are the same whether I am on stage, in a coaching session, or sitting with a friend over coffee.

I’ve often been told that I bring a lot of energy and positivity into the room, and that’s true — but it doesn’t mean my life has always been easy. Behind the scenes, I’ve experienced grief, setbacks, and moments of doubt. Those experiences have shaped me, but they haven’t broken me. Instead, they’ve given me resilience and empathy, which I now bring into my work.

So, the public version of me is not a polished mask. It’s the version of me that has done the inner work, that has embraced both the struggles and the successes, and that has chosen to show up fully. When I’m coaching, teaching, or speaking, I want people to feel not just inspired, but also understood.

At the end of the day, the real me and the public me are aligned — both rooted in a mission to help others see their own potential, to find clarity and courage, and to move forward with confidence.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I think about the story I hope people will tell about me when I’m gone, it’s not about titles, positions, or achievements. I hope they will say that I was someone who helped others see possibilities they couldn’t yet see for themselves. That I inspired people to take a step forward, even when they felt stuck or afraid.

I want to be remembered as someone who built bridges — across cultures, generations, and perspectives. Someone who believed deeply in the power of human connection, and who created spaces where people felt safe to be themselves, to share their voice, and to grow.

If there’s a legacy I dream of leaving, it’s the ripple effect: that through my coaching, teaching, and speaking, I sparked courage and confidence in people who then went on to impact their families, workplaces, and communities. I hope my story will be told as one of resilience, of turning challenges into fuel, and of reminding others that it is always possible to “break free” and create a life that feels purposeful.

Most of all, I’d love people to say: “Because of Hülya, I believed in myself a little more. I dared to dream bigger. I found my voice.”

That, for me, would be the greatest legacy.

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