Meet the Team: Nazlı
Ever wonder who’s behind Hive? Meet the people shaping Hive from the inside out!
In this edition of Meet the Team, we’re introducing Nazlı Elvan Gökgöz, Community Coordinator at Hive.
Nazlı connects with advocates helping them find community, confidence, and collaboration through Hive Slack and beyond. Her work blends empathy and organization in equal measure, and her creativity shines through everything from fostering new partnerships for Hive to running yoga sessions during our team retreat!
What brought you to Hive?
My journey to Hive began with a bit of serendipity, and a wonderful suggestion from Steven Rouk, founder of Connect for Animals!
After working locally in Turkey to help end farmed animal suffering, I learned our team would have to downsize. Unsure of my next step, I reached out to Steven, who had previously been my mentor. Among the many great suggestions he shared, he advised me to join Hive Slack to connect with the broader movement, explore new opportunities, and keep learning through collaboration. I had no idea back then that that small step would open the door to where I am today.
What’s something you’ve learned from the Hive community?
The farmed animal advocacy movement has incredible heart.
Working from Turkey, I often felt a bit removed. It’s easy to think you’re on your own when trying to build momentum locally, especially in a country where you’re the only organization working to end farmed animal suffering. Through Hive, I realized how far from alone we actually are. The movement spans oceans, languages, and cultures! And the same compassion and drive shine everywhere. Everyone here has so much heart and a genuine willingness to help. We may be relatively small as a movement, but I believe our collective care and what it creates is unmatched.
What is one local organization you’re excited about that gives you hope for the farmed animal advocacy movement in your region?
It’s unfortunate to admit that I don’t have a long list to choose from here, in Turkey. But even if I did, I’d likely still choose the Farmed Animal Protection Association and their two programs: Kafessiz Türkiye (Türkiye without Cages), the team I was also previously working with and Future for Fish! Both are doing amazing work to move things forward for farmed animals.
It’s also exciting to see the growth of the Effective Animal Advocacy reading group, co-run by Elif Özdemir and Alparslan Bayrak, who also happen to be Hive community members. When I first started working within the movement in 2021, these kinds of resources didn’t exist, so it’s wonderful to see the progress of the movement in a neglected region.
What’s one thing in your environment that inspires you or reminds you why you do this work?
So many things to pick from! My workspace has always been surrounded by reminders of my mission. Plus, I have a feline friend who insists on keeping me company while I work.
If I had to pick just one thing, it would be my neighbouring chickens and sheep! I live in one of the busiest cities in the world: Istanbul. And yet, I’m lucky enough to have a neighbour who fosters some sheep and chickens. They’re usually out of sight, although the rooster is always audible! Sometimes, as I sit at my desk, they wander down from a nearby footpath following her, and I get to see them. I first met her during the pandemic, and she told me she simply adores them — caring for them brings her joy and peace. I love that little glimpse of gentleness in the middle of a busy city. And seeing friendly furry faces always inspires my work.
What’s one way you recharge outside of your advocacy work?
I’m extremely lucky to be a yoga instructor alongside my work at Hive. Practicing yoga, or sharing my practice with others is one of the main ways I recharge my energy. I also love taking myself on long walks! I live near the coast, so that’s often where I head, but sometimes I’ll trek uphill to the nearby woods for a change of scenery. I’m also a fan of picturing things from my walks, so I guess I can say that I enjoy taking photos too.
I also spend part of my time in the suburbs of Istanbul, usually during the summer, where it’s still beautifully pastoral. Being close to nature fills my heart and helps me reconnect and recharge.
You run Hive Community Conversations every month… is there a particular session that resonated with you?
Funnily enough, the two sessions I was unable to host were the ones that stuck with me the most!
The 30th edition of Hive Community Conversations was exciting. Reaching a new milestone and centering our discussion around gratitude in advocacy felt so wholesome. I wasn’t there to hear everyone’s reflections, but I loved receiving the feedback afterwards from Angel, who stepped in to host. It was one of our largest participation we had and it’s exactly this kind of appreciation that reminds me why we host this event each month.
Another session I missed turned out to be one of the most memorable one for me! Kevin stepped in at short notice to host, and what unfolded was such a lovely reminder of Hive’s spirit. Kevin adapted seamlessly, and even though we forgot to take our traditional group photo, an attendee reminded us afterwards, showing just how meaningful even our small traditions have become. For me, that session summed up what Hive is: a thoughtful, flexible, and caring community that keeps moving forward together.
I’m sure there are many more memorable Hive Community Conversations to come! If you’re reading this, subscribe to our Luma calendar to stay in the loop about upcoming events — I hope to see you there!
What connections do you see between your yoga practice and your approach to community-building?
Both learning and teaching yoga have influenced many parts of my life — probably more than I realize. Even though I’m an instructor, I’m always a student: always learning, always evolving. I don’t see myself as a fully formed Community Coordinator either, and I’m glad I’m not. It means there’s still so much to aspire to, to work toward, to learn, and to grow into.
Yoga is as much about being grounded as it is about going with the flow. If there’s one way that translates to community-building, it’s in creating spaces where people feel both rooted and free to progress at their own pace, expressing themselves along the way. Sometimes we focus heavily on strategy and metrics, but I think being mindful and genuine are just as vital to strengthening a community, even if they’re harder to measure.
That’s Nazlı
Whether she’s planning the next Hive event or connecting with advocates across continents, Nazlı brings empathy, creativity, and presence to everything she does. Her journey at Hive shows how thoughtful connection can build bridges and help advocates feel part of something bigger.
Stay tuned for more Meet the Team stories coming soon, as we continue to highlight the people at Hive.
Want to stay connected with Hive and meet more of our team?
Join Hive Slack here, and stay up to date on the latest via our bi-weekly newsletter, Hive Highlights.
