FoB Talks: Shaping the Future of Work- Technology, Talent and Purpose

Date: May 15, 2025 - Thursday

Time: 14:00

Place: santralistanbul Campus, E1-301 

Moderator: Prof. Dr. Serdar Karabatı

Speakers: 

Didem Duru – General Manager, Cisco Turkey 

Çağlayan Karalar – EVP of Human Resources & Training, Kariyer.net

The talk will explore how technology, talent, purpose  are reshaping the workplace.

Key themes will include redefining the meaning of work and what young professionals value in their careers; the essential role of people in technology-driven businesses, including the contributions of non-tech professionals within tech ecosystems; and how business students can prepare for future-ready roles in the global tech landscape. The discussion will also highlight data-driven insights about labor market trends and explore culture and leadership in tech with a focus on engagement, diversity, and inclusion. This conversation promises fresh perspectives at the intersection of innovation, leadership, and human connection.

About the speakers:

Didem Duru is graduated from Istanbul University, Economics in 1995. Within her 26 years of experience, she has held various management positions at Finansbank, IBM and Dell. At Dell she was lately responsible for Chief Customer Office for Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Didem is Chairman of Community Volunteer’s Association, Board Member of Turkish Industry and Business Association and Founding Member of Women in Technology Association. She is graduate of Gestalt Coaching Program. She actively participates in CSR projects supporting young people.

Çağlayan Karalar graduated from the Faculty of Political Science at Ankara University in 2004 and began her master’s degree in Sociology at Middle East Technical University (METU) the same year. She started her career in Human Resources in 2007 at DenizBank. Between 2011 and 2018, Karalar was the manager of “HR Business Partner” teams at Yapı Kredi Bank, providing services to various management departments such as Branch Sales, Operations, Digital Channels, IT, and the Call Center. Concurrently, Karalar represented Turkey in international HR projects under the Yapı Kredi Bank–Unicredit partnership. In June 2018, Karalar took her first step into professional coaching by graduating from the “Gestalt Center for Coaching” program. Since September 2018, she has been serving as the Deputy General Manager of Human Resources and Training at Kariyer.net, the largest online human resources platform in Turkey.

Click for registration form.