#144 Piruze Sabuncu: Stripe's first hire in South East Asia, turkish influences, partner at SquarePeg!

Piruze Sabuncu, a partner at the venture capital firm SquarePeg, details her unconventional career trajectory from her upbringing in Turkey to scaling Stripe in Southeast Asia. Her path highlights the power of curiosity and serendipity, as she navigated roles at IBM, McKinsey, and as a startup founder before finding her niche in venture capital. Sabuncu emphasizes the importance of building authentic relationships, maintaining transparency, and prioritizing family alongside professional ambitions. Her experience underscores the value of a generalist mindset, the necessity of empathy in leadership, and the critical role of hiring stellar talent. By embracing change and remaining open to unexpected opportunities, she demonstrates how professional pivots—often driven by personal circumstances—can lead to impactful, long-term career growth within the evolving global tech ecosystem.