Our Team
Mehmet Koçali
Co-Founder
For Mehmet, a good preschool is built long before the first lesson begins. By creating a strong team, thoughtful systems, and a culture rooted in trust, he helps shape an environment where children can thrive, teachers enjoy their work, and families feel at home.
LinkedIn profileWhatever I've done throughout my career, it's always come back to teaching and learning. A preschool is where those two come together in their purest form.
Get to know Mehmet Koçali
Mehmet Koçali graduated from Cağaloğlu Anadolu Lisesi, one of Istanbul's most established high schools, in 1998, and completed his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration at Istanbul University in 2002. His connection to his school community never ended at graduation: he is one of the founding leaders, and currently Member of the Supervisory Board of the Cağaloğlu Anadolu Lisesi Alumni Association (CALMED), where graduates continue to support the school and each other across generations.
Throughout his professional life, education has never been a side interest — it has been a constant. Holding a Master Instructor certificate, Mehmet took on the role of trainer and mentor for the teams he managed across different businesses, turning every workplace into a classroom. His volunteer work with the Ayadee Foundation, where he is also a member of the board, extended this commitment beyond the workplace, contributing to projects aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including a food hackathon and programs educating cohorts of young learners.
This lifelong dedication to empowering students as an educator naturally led Mehmet to become the first partner and technology sponsor of Connect Me. Founded in 2020 to make personalized learning accessible for all, Connect Me is the United States' largest student-run, free online 1-on-1 tutoring service. By pairing K-8 students with trained high school and college tutors, the platform provides vital support to help every learner succeed. Today, the initiative boasts a network of over 1,000 tutors and volunteers who have facilitated more than 60,000 tutoring sessions. For Mehmet, supporting an educational ecosystem whose student founders have gone on to study at institutions like Stanford, Princeton, and Purdue has been especially meaningful.
Today, as Co-Founder of Sun Anaokulu, Mehmet brings together over two decades of management experience and his deep-rooted passion for teaching and learning. He oversees the school's operations, technology, and administration so that teachers can focus on what matters most: the children.
Throughout his professional life, education has never been a side interest — it has been a constant. Holding a Master Instructor certificate, Mehmet took on the role of trainer and mentor for the teams he managed across different businesses, turning every workplace into a classroom. His volunteer work with the Ayadee Foundation, where he is also a member of the board, extended this commitment beyond the workplace, contributing to projects aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including a food hackathon and programs educating cohorts of young learners.
This lifelong dedication to empowering students as an educator naturally led Mehmet to become the first partner and technology sponsor of Connect Me. Founded in 2020 to make personalized learning accessible for all, Connect Me is the United States' largest student-run, free online 1-on-1 tutoring service. By pairing K-8 students with trained high school and college tutors, the platform provides vital support to help every learner succeed. Today, the initiative boasts a network of over 1,000 tutors and volunteers who have facilitated more than 60,000 tutoring sessions. For Mehmet, supporting an educational ecosystem whose student founders have gone on to study at institutions like Stanford, Princeton, and Purdue has been especially meaningful.
Today, as Co-Founder of Sun Anaokulu, Mehmet brings together over two decades of management experience and his deep-rooted passion for teaching and learning. He oversees the school's operations, technology, and administration so that teachers can focus on what matters most: the children.
Education & Certifications
- BA in Business Administration (English)Istanbul University
- Founder, Member of the Supervisory BoardCağaloğlu Anadolu High School Alumni Association
- Partner and SponsorConnect Me
- Board MemberThe Ayadee Foundation
The best way to meet Mehmet Koçali is to walk the school together one morning.
