Şadan Kaptanoglu is a shipowner and a shipyard owner. She is chief executive officer of Kaptanoglu Shipping.

She completed her Phd in De Montfort University after she graduated from Cass Business School, MSC Shipping, Finance and Trade.

On 14th of May 2019 at the BIMCO General Meeting in Athens, Şadan was elected as President of BIMCO thereby becoming the first woman to reach that position.

Şadan Kaptanoglu is the chairperson of TURMEPA and vice president of INTERMEPA. She is vice chairperson of Turkish Chamber of Shipping as well.

Şadan is the first winner of Seatrade young person of the year award in 2008.

She is married and has two daughters.