Our story
Our story goes back to middle school, where we first met and became friends. Life took us in different directions for a while during our studies, but we eventually found ourselves back in our home country of Türkiye, living in Istanbul.
After years working across sectors (from NGOs and design studios to government, and beyond), we decided to launch Dial Down: a communications consultancy helping purpose-driven individuals and organisations communicate their story with clarity, courage, and confidence so they can amplify their positive impact.
Dr. Aylin Yardımcı
Aylin Yardımcı was born in Ankara, Türkiye and studied at the Bilkent University Preparatory and International School before studying Politics & Sociology at Sheffield University followed by an MSc in European Political Economy at the London School of Economics.
Aylin began her career as a broadcast journalist at Medyascope, where she learned how to translate complex issues into stories that engage and inform. She later joined the Mayor’s team at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, shaping international communications and the city’s English-language public voice.
Alongside her advisory work, Aylin has held senior communications leadership roles, including Director of Communications at Bridge to Türkiye Fund, and contributed to high-impact public initiatives such as Istanbul’s Askıda Fatura (Pay-It-Forward Bill) project. She holds a PhD in International Relations and Political Science from Koç University, with research focused the political economy of development cooperation, emerging donors of foreign aid, and diaspora initiatives.
At Dial Down, Aylin draws on a background in journalism and public-sector communications to help clients find the story inside complexity—clarifying messaging, shaping strategic narratives, and building practical communications systems that teams can run with confidence.
Melissa Clissold, MA
Melissa Lara Clissold was born in Ankara to an English/Irish father and a Turkish mother, and grew up living between Nigeria, the UK, Poland, and Turkey. She studied English Literature and Philosophy at the University of York, and completed an MA in Social Anthropology of Development at (SOAS), where she wrote her thesis on messages and images used in humanitarian fundraising campaigns.
Early roles with the British Red Cross and Inter-Cultural Youth Exchange-UK shaped her long-term commitment to social impact and humanitarian work.
Previously, she has worked as Head of Communications & Impact at ATÖLYE (part of the Kyu Collective), and served as National Director (later consultant) for The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Turkey.
She has also worked as a translator-editor for independent news platform Medyascope. Alongside her communications work, Melissa brings experience in facilitation, songwriting, and interactive storytelling, including narrative-led game writing and design.
At Dial Down, Melissa draws on experience across NGOs and the private sector—including strategic design and innovation—plus impact measurement and management, to build clear messaging, credible storytelling, and practical communications systems teams can sustain.
