Ece Demirbolat – Assistant Manager, HR Lab, Akbank
“I work toward a human-centered business world where psychological safety comes first. I help transform organizational cultures and systems. A sustainable future is no longer a choice, it’s a necessity.”
Quick Bio
- Undergraduate: Psychology, 2023
- Master’s Degree: Organizational Psychology, 2026, Istanbul Bilgi University
- During Undergraduate Studies: CIP (Civic Involvement Projects), Supervisor and Mentor; SuGastro, Board Member and Mentor
- Previous Positions: Internal Communication & Employer Branding Specialist, Trendyol; Human Resources Intern, Borusan Holding
- Current Position: Assistant Manager, HR Lab, Akbank
- Location: Istanbul
Short Q&A
What does your current job involve? What’s a typical day like?
I work at Akbank, in the Organizational Development team under the People and Culture Lab. I have two main responsibilities. First, I lead projects about diversity, equity, and inclusion. We create programs to support the employment of women, young people, people with disabilities, and those who’ve been unemployed for a long time. To increase visibility within the company, we work with a volunteer employee network called Yan Yana, and every two years, a Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) is selected from our senior leadership team. I coordinate these collaborations, develop projects, and manage the entire planning process from start to finish.
Second, I work on simplifying and improving people and culture systems within our organization. I help make interfaces more user-friendly, and I support the integration of emerging technologies like AI. I also publish a monthly newsletter called People & Culture in a Changing World, where I share trends, gather employee insights, and translate them into strategy ideas for the company.
How did your psychology education at SU support your transition into work life?
Psychology at Sabancı taught me how to understand people’s behavior in relation to their environment, which helped me a lot while managing team dynamics. I learned how to think with data, analyze behavior patterns, and think critically, which fits perfectly with the “we live with data” mindset in business.
The open communication culture at Sabancı helped me grow into someone who is both humble and bold at work. Through group projects and interdisciplinary studies, I internalized collaboration values: ideas like “we’re a team” and “we focus on outcomes” became second nature to me. Mentoring club events and CIP projects also gave me hands-on leadership experience and a strong sense of social responsibility. While designing projects for schools, shelters, and elderly homes, I learned how to embrace diversity, think inclusively, and offer fair solutions. These experiences made me open to change and eager to keep learning, which really helps me adapt quickly in tough times and turn challenges into opportunities.
After graduation, did you enter this field directly, or how did your journey unfold?
My journey actually started during my university years. When everything moved online during the pandemic, I started interning with a developmental psychologist at a preschool near my home. That was my first real glimpse into how psychology plays out in real life. Later on, I completed my mandatory summer internship at Borusan Holding as a People & Culture intern. Since classes were online, I had the flexibility to continue it as a long-term internship. These hands-on experiences helped me discover what I enjoy and where I want to grow.
How has your research experience at SU influenced your work today?
In the Psychology program at SU, we read academic articles, analyzed data, and wrote reports to apply theory to real-life situations. That mindset still guides me today—especially when I’m writing monthly newsletters or developing strategies. I constantly ask myself: What’s the practical takeaway here? What are we doing now? What insights can we put into practice? What should we change, and why? What does this data actually tell us? These kinds of questions help me turn knowledge into action and bring real value to my work.
What was your favorite course in the psychology program, and why?
Two of my favorites were PSY 203 – Stress and Well-Being and PSY 344 – Group Processes. These courses cover topics that show up in both real life and work, so they really stuck with me. Dealing with anxiety myself, I found it really eye-opening to learn how stress impacts the mind and body, and how people find ways to adapt, even to really tough experiences. Group Processes h
elped me understand how team decisions work, how biases form, and how to create balanced and inclusive group dynamics. I realized decisions aren’t just individual, they’re also shaped by group psychology.
What advice would you give to current undergraduates?
Don’t be afraid to try new things. Take risks. Explore different fields, and question even the things you’re most sure of. Find what you really love. You might fail sometimes, but don’t give up, keep going. University isn’t just about studying; it’s a fun journey. Make memories, join events, chase opportunities, meet people, and build friendships. Those are the moments you’ll remember the most.
What would you say to a student who’s considering psychology but still unsure?
Psychology is both powerful and versatile. It’s completely fine if you’re unsure of your exact path at first, that’s the beauty of it. You get to explore different career paths like clinical practice, business, neuroscience, or academia, and discover what truly sparks your interest. Psychology gives you a strong foundation for understanding both others and yourself. And at Sabancı, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. You can take electives, do internships, join student clubs, and even pursue a double major or minor in other fields. These opportunities often lead to unexpected and rewarding directions in your journey.
How did your background in psychology help you stand out in job interviews?
My psychology background at Sabancı taught me more than just theory; it shaped the way I think and question. Thanks to the program’s interdisciplinary structure, I learned to approach problems from multiple angles. In my very first job interview, the way I tackled a case question stood out. I spoke about how differing perspectives don't divide us: when we’re aligned on the same goal, they actually strengthen our work. That mindset came from Sabancı’s culture of solution-focused thinking, openness to ideas, and the sense of social responsibility I developed through the Civic Involvement Projects (CIP). It also gave me the courage to chart my own path forward.
Do you often meet other Sabancı graduates at work? How does it affect your work relationships?
Yes! My current manager is also a Sabancı graduate. And fun fact, her name is Ece too! Even though we graduated years apart, we clicked right away. Shared memories like pulling all nighters at the library, rushing between classes, and hanging out on the grass during breaks helped build an instant connection. That common background made teamwork smoother, communication easier, and trust quicker to build. Her support goes beyond day-to-day tasks, it helps me find direction. Coming from the same university gave us a natural sense of trust and encouragement.