Coffee with Kofi featuring Joseph Selimoglu, Global Compensation Senior Manager at BCG.
Tue Feb 03 2026
Today, I’m joined by Joseph Selimoglu, whose career journey has taken him from Turkey to the UK, across cultures, challenges, and meaningful choices.
Beyond professional success, Joseph is someone who truly believes in giving back. He does through mentoring, community, and creating impact beyond his job titles.
In this episode, we’ll explore the pivotal moments that shaped his path, what it really takes to build a fulfilling career in a new country, and how following your passions, without losing yourself along the way… can lead to deeper purpose at work and in life.
So grab your coffee, get comfortable, and let’s sip into that inspiration.
Key Takeaways:
Accidental HR Career: Joseph's 14-year HR career began accidentally after a personality test at TÜRK Telekom (Turkey) identified his fit for HR (91%) over his own plan to be a data analyst.
Global Role Challenge: His current role as Senior Global Compensation Manager at BCG, covering c. 40 countries, was a significant challenge, causing imposter syndrome. He pushed through by viewing it as a worthwhile investment in growth.
Purpose-Driven Work: Joseph finds fulfilment through two channels: 1) His role at BCG, where he drives fair pay and pay transparency, and 2) Extensive volunteering, mentoring, and community work.
Legacy of Impact: His long-term goal is to become a Non-Executive Director (NED) to scale his positive impact across multiple companies, driven by a desire to leave a legacy of helping people.
Episode resources:
Joseph Selimoglu: www.linkedin.com/in/jselimoglu
Company of HR Professionals: https://hrprofessionals.org.uk
Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com
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Today, I’m joined by Joseph Selimoglu, whose career journey has taken him from Turkey to the UK, across cultures, challenges, and meaningful choices. Beyond professional success, Joseph is someone who truly believes in giving back. He does through mentoring, community, and creating impact beyond his job titles. In this episode, we’ll explore the pivotal moments that shaped his path, what it really takes to build a fulfilling career in a new country, and how following your passions, without losing yourself along the way… can lead to deeper purpose at work and in life. So grab your coffee, get comfortable, and let’s sip into that inspiration. Key Takeaways: Accidental HR Career: Joseph's 14-year HR career began accidentally after a personality test at TÜRK Telekom (Turkey) identified his fit for HR (91%) over his own plan to be a data analyst. Global Role Challenge: His current role as Senior Global Compensation Manager at BCG, covering c. 40 countries, was a significant challenge, causing imposter syndrome. He pushed through by viewing it as a worthwhile investment in growth. Purpose-Driven Work: Joseph finds fulfilment through two channels: 1) His role at BCG, where he drives fair pay and pay transparency, and 2) Extensive volunteering, mentoring, and community work. Legacy of Impact: His long-term goal is to become a Non-Executive Director (NED) to scale his positive impact across multiple companies, driven by a desire to leave a legacy of helping people. Episode resources: Joseph Selimoglu: www.linkedin.com/in/jselimoglu Company of HR Professionals: https://hrprofessionals.org.uk Chay Executive Coaching: www.chayexecutivecoaching.com