How I Got Here: Burge Diemer

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 23, 2024 / Yum! Brands
In the #HowIGotHere series, you'll read about the career paths of some of the world-renowned leaders at Yum! Brands. Learn more about Burge Diemer, Vice President, Brand Marketing at The Habit Burger Grill in this installment.

EDUCATION

• Yukselis Lisesi
  Ankara, Turkey (1992 - 1995)
• METU University
  Bachelor of Arts, Foreign Language Education Ankara, Turkey (1995 - 1999)
• University of California San Diego
  Pre-Master of Business Administration/Marketing Program San Diego, California, United States (1999 - 2000)

If we were to interview your teachers, what would they say about you?

Burge was curious, tenacious and focused, except in geometry - her least favorite subject.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

In high school, my best friend's father was a NATO diplomat. I was fascinated by the countries he visited, the critical issues he tackled, the multiple languages he spoke and the pictures he had with some of the world's leaders. So, I took the Foreign Service Officer test but failed the last round of interviews, and while disappointed, looking back, I would not have enjoyed the bureaucracy and red tape that come with diplomacy.

WORK

First Job: I worked as a tour guide in the ancient Greek city, Ephesus, in western Turkey. I wanted to improve my conversational English, get to know people from different cultures, learn the rich history of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and save money to buy my first Volkswagen Beetle. Because of this job, I made lifelong friends in various parts of the world who I am still in touch with today.

• The UPS Store, San Diego, California, United States
  2000 - 2004: Marketing Manager, Franchise Sales
  2004 - 2007: Senior Manager, International Marketing
  
• Jack in the Box, San Diego, California, United States
  2007 - 2011: Senior Marketing Manager
  2011 - 2012: Senior Manager, Operations Services
  2012 - 2014: Business Unit Leader
  2014 - 2016: Director, Regional and Product Marketing
  2016 - 2018: Vice President, Product Marketing
  
• Boston Market, Golden, Colorado, United States
  2018 - 2019: Vice President, Brand Strategy
  
• The Habit Burger Grill, Irvine, California, United States
  2019 - present: Vice President, Brand Marketing

What moments, or who, in your life influenced the way you work?

Moving from Turkey to the United States

One of my favorite marketing professors in my pre-MBA program told me that he was really impressed that I had the courage to move from Turkey to the U.S. at 23 years old. He advised me to never lose sight of my adventurous spirit, and to this day, getting out of my comfort zone has always taught me the best lessons and made me more resilient both personally and professionally.