Yusuf Ziya İskender was born in 1990 in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). He is originally from Trabzon. He completed his high school education at Yenierenköy High School in the TRNC, where he was born and raised.

He graduated from Istanbul University, Faculty of Economics in 2011. His master's education in the Department of Economic Policy is currently ongoing.

He continues his duty as an Accounting Manager, a role he started as an assistant specialist in the Turkish Airlines (THY) Accounting and Financial Control Units in 2012.

He has taken an active role in various civil society activities for many years. Since February 2025, he has been serving as the T3 Foundation Social Studies Coordinator.

Yusuf Ziya İskender is married and a father of 3 children.