DataExpert

Mr. Altunkaya, as founder of Data Expert, brings more than 35 years of Professional expertise to DataExpert. After working long years in managerial positions at a leading information technology company, Mr. Altunkaya decided to found “DataExpert” in late 1994.. As DataExpert shines over 25 years, Hasan Altunkaya has come up as one of the most reputed and respected Management & Executive Search consultants of Turkey. 

Conducting diverse executive search projects, he developed an “Invaluable Network” with his sincere approach. Even so, his success not only stands on an invaluable network, but also  on an excellent local market know-how, assessment capabilities developed over years and especially on a passionate, ethical and reliable approach. Combining these essential skills with his experience, he has been praised several times by press as the “Exporter of CEO’s”, the “Talent Hunter” and as the most trusted name for the HR market of Turkey. 

Additionally Hasan Altunkaya is engaged as an active entrepreneur in Turkish Professional Life, being part of diverse projects. 

Mr. Altunkaya continues to orient the professional lives of the Executives of Turkey, as leading strategic projects for his loyal business partners, within DataExpert.

Mr. Altunkaya holds an MA degree from Bahcesehir University in Marketing, BA degree from Istanbul University in the major of Business Administration. Additionally he studied at Brighton University on Psychology to gain knowledge about Human Psychology.  Since 2001, he has been working at DataExpert having Consultant, Senior Consultant, Business Development Manager and Partner positions respectively. Mr. Altunkaya specializes in searches at management levels, executive and non-executive board member positions.  He also provides board level management consultancy to companies. Additionally as the Shareholder & Founding Board Member in Keiretsu Forum Turkey and Board Member of Business Management Institute, Mr. Altunkaya devotes his efforts to improve entrepreneurship and governance within Turkish Business community as a social responsibility to parallel his position within DataExpert.  Mr. Altunkaya is fluent in Turkish, English with a basic understanding of German.

Ms. Durmaz holds BS degree from Middle East Technical University in Department of Management. She also studied financial management for develeopment at the Giordiano Dell'Amore Foundation in Italy. Ms Durmaz spent almost 9 years in the banking industry, she was the Vice President of Strategic Planning Department of a reputable bank until 2002. She led several teams including due diligence, M&A and strategy consulting in one of the international consulting companies until 2011.  Since 2013, she has been working at DataExpert as a Partner. Ms Durmaz specializes in searches at management levels, executive and non-executive board member positions. She also provides board level management consultancy to companies. Additionally, as angel investor of companies at early investment stage, Ms Durmaz also devotes her efforts to support enterpreneurship ecosystem in business community. Ms Durmaz is fluent in Turkish, English with a basic understanding of German and Italian.

Mrs. Aksüt holds BS degree in Economics from Marmara University. Mrs. Aksüt started her career at banking industry where she worked for close to 15 years at leading national and international banks. She decided to continue her career at executive search industry by 2002 and joined one of the leading executive search companies. Close to 15 years she conducted executive search asssignments as one of the partners. Between 2015 to 2020 for 5 years she worked at another leading local executive search company in Turkey. 

She advised local and international companies, highly specialized in C-Level and mid management recruitment projects. She is also experienced in assessment centre application, career consultancy for the professionals and talent management.Mrs.Aksut has been carrying on her career at Data Expert as a Partner since October,2020

Gamze Aksüt is trustee at Koruncuk Vakfı, which is a non-profit organization to protect the rights of vulnerable children in Turkey. She is dedicated to give support for the personal development and education of younger generations.

She is fluent in English with a basic understanding of French. 

Mr. Gültekin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Guidance and Psychological Counseling from Middle East Technical University.Mr. Gültekin brings more than 18 years of experience in human resources leadership and organizational development to DataExpert. Since 2019, he has been working at DataExpert as a senior consultant and specializes in executive and mid management searches. Mr. Gültekin; having significant experience in holding companies, healthcare, hospitality, textiles and human Resources&Training companies; focuses on energy,  life sciences, industry and business services within DataExpert. Mr. Gültekin is fluent in English and intermidiate in German language. 

Ms. Magden holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Bogazici University and Business Administration from Anadolu University and Sociology from Istanbul University and she still continues her education in Human Resources in Anadolu University. Ms.Magden started her full time career at banking industry in the startup project of a Call Center as a System Development Specialist in 1998 and worked in Process Management, Organizational Development Management, Reporting and Analizing Management, Retail Banking, Credit areas for about 22 years including her part time working in a bank during her university education.

She had Coaching Certificate and Project Management Certificate. After finishing her career in bank when she was a group manager, for three years she gave lectures on personal development, problem solving, stress management, banking, sales, marketing, project management, financial reporting, IFRS and MS officee, and coached many consultants about education, management and life.

Since April 2021 she has been working at DataExpert as a consultant and specializes in executive and mid management searches. She is fluent in English and has basic understanding in French and German.

She is an amateur off-road driver. She dives and climbs and likes trekking and camping. She is a 3* CMAS diver and a diving trainer in SSI.

Ms. Oruçoğlu holds a BA degree in Sociology from Bogazici University. Upon graduation, she had completed Gender & Women’s Studies MA program in METU with a focus on cultural transformation, diversity & inclusion within the workspace. In 2019, Ms. Oruçoğlu joined  DataExpert as a research consultant, became a Consultant and has experience in recruiting senior leaders in a vast array of industries, and took part in management/strategy consultancy projects. Ms. Oruçoğlu is native in Turkish, has excellent command in English, and as a firm believer in the necessity of continuous self-improvement she is currently learning German.

Dr. Ceyhun Emre Doğru is an advisor, media personality, academic, author and keynote speaker. 

As the leader of DataExpert’s Board & Leadership Advisory, Dr. Doğru advises boards and senior executives on leadership effectiveness, strategic alignment, and governance at the top of the organization. His work focuses on linking leadership capability to business performance through leadership strategy, executive succession, board–management dynamics and the alignment of leadership teams with evolving strategic priorities.

Alongside his advisory work, Dr. Doğru is a prominent voice in business and public discourse. He is the creator and presenter of Strategy Floor, a weekly business program on CNBC Türkiye, where he discusses the impact of global developments on the international business environment. He is also a monthly columnist at Forbes Türkiye, where he writes about how organizations address leadership and strategy challenges.

Dr. Doğru is an adjunct professor at Türkiye’s top-ranking Boğaziçi University. He teaches graduate and Executive MBA courses on strategic management. He is also a regular keynote speaker and an executive trainer, working with leadership teams and boards across sectors. As the author of Strategic Mind’s Handbook (in Turkish), he shares ideas and methodologies on critical thinking and strategic decision-making with the wider public.

Ceyhun Emre Doğru plays an active role in civil society and business associations. He serves as the Secretary General of the Public Affairs Institute of Türkiye, whose members include public and corporate affairs directors of multinational investors. He is an active member of Turkish Corporate Governance Association (TKYD) and Ethics & Reputation Society (TEID), and contributes to the work of TUSIAD (Turkish Industry & Business Association, a member of BusinessEurope) and YASED (International Investors’ Association). He sits on the boards of the Ankara University Faculty of Political Science and Koç University alumni associations.

Prior to his advisory work, Dr. Doğru gained experience at the United Nations Development Programme and NATO Headquarters, and worked as a geopolitical analyst at Strategic Forecasting. He served as TUSIAD's representative to Washington, DC, representing the interests of Turkish businesses with the US administration and key decision-makers.

Dr. Doğru completed his undergraduate studies at Ankara University's Faculty of Political Science and the Université Libre de Bruxelles, obtained his master's degree from the European Institute, and earned a doctoral degree in political science from Koç University.

He speaks English and French.

İzzet Çağlayan has extensive experience in sustainable growth. He focuses on organizations and especially families. His work includes the positioning of future generations, designing effective boards of directors, and structuring senior management. With a career spanning over 30 years, he has actively shaped the institutionalization and transformation of organizations across various sectors. He addresses strategy, management, and organizational structure through a holistic approach.
A key factor distinguishing Çağlayan’s solutions is his ability to merge academic rigor with business practice. His undergraduate degree in quantum physics provided him with a deep insight into system modeling and complex structures. His master’s degree in finance provided an analytical foundation in value creation, capital management, and sustainable growth. His expertise in Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) supports solution-oriented and actionable results in human performance, decision-making, and organizational growth.
With this interdisciplinary expertise, Çağlayan implements transformations in restructuring, governance, risk, and compliance in a simultaneous and integrated manner. In corporate structures and family businesses, he develops unique models for professional management structures and decision-making disciplines while preserving the company’s DNA during intergenerational transitions.
In addition to providing advisory services to transform boards of directors into value-generating platforms, Çağlayan designs committee systems and governance frameworks tailored to each organization’s specific needs, including the establishment of independent board members. At the executive level, it supports leadership models aligned with the organization’s long-term goals in CEO and C-level appointments, and builds sustainable structures in human resources, culture, and performance programs.
With extensive sectoral experience spanning logistics, finance, retail, and technology, Çağlayan focuses on simplifying complex organizational structures, clarifying priorities, and establishing the mechanisms for measurable value creation through his work with Top 100 companies. Continuing his work on digital ecosystems, data-driven management, and next-generation organizational models, İzzet Çağlayan adopts an approach that designs sustainable value capable of being passed on to future generations within succession frameworks.
With his interdisciplinary perspective, strong vision for structuring, and implementation capabilities, İzzet Çağlayan will continue to contribute as a strong partner in the long-term transformation journeys of individuals and organizations.