After completing his undergraduate degree in Systems Engineering at the Military Academy, Nihat Özdemir served in the army for 3 years and then continued his professional career in the private sector. Özdemir has 24 years of experience in the private sector, working in senior roles in the field of human resources, starting from expertise in the field of human resources in global and local companies such as Shell Türkiye, UPS, ThyssenKrupp, Yıldız Holding, Şölen Çikolata and Döktaş. Özdemir completed his master's degree in Human Resources at Marmara University and continues his education and training as a PhD student in Strategic Management at Yeditepe University, Department of Business Board of Directors in English. In 2023, Özdemir joined the Smart family and is currently serving as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors responsible for Human Resources.