Deputy Secretary of Corporate
Development and Talent Management
Prof. Hakan KARATAŞ
Prof. Hakan KARATAŞ completed his higher education in the Department of English Language and Education at İstanbul University. Between 1996-2000, KARATAŞ worked as an English teacher at Kabataş High School and in 2000, he became a lecturer at the School of Foreign Languages at Yıldız Technical University (YTU). In 2003, he served as the Deputy Director at YTU’s Human Resources Development Center. In 2007, he completed his master’s degree in the Department of Educational Sciences, and in 2011, he earned his Ph.D.
In 2012, KARATAŞ was assigned as Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Education at Yıldız Technical University, and in 2016, he was awarded the title of “Associate Professor” in the field of Educational Sciences by the Interuniversity Council. In 2021, he earned the title of “Professor” from the Business Administration (English) department at Ostim Technical University.
Between 2009-2016, KARATAŞ served as the Director of the Continuing Education Application and Research Center at Yıldız Technical University. During this period, he was actively involved in projects related to quality management, institutionalization, and the development of international relations at Yıldız Technical University. He also carried various positions on the Board of Directors at Yıldız Teknopark Inc. and Yıldız Technology Transfer Office Inc.
KARATAŞ is a member of the Board of Trustees of Yıldız Technical University Foundation and a founding trustee of the Gebze Technical Education and Research Foundation.
KARATAŞ has provided moderation, reporting, and consultancy services to various institutions on the formation and restructuring of education and academic design. In 2018, he served as an Advisor in the “Qualified R&D Personnel Training Project” of the Ministry of Science, Industry, and Technology.
From April 24 to July 2, 2018, KARATAŞ served as a Board Consultant at ASELSAN Inc., and on July 2, 2018, he was appointed as the Deputy General Manager for Corporate Management. At the same time, he continues his role as a faculty member in the Business Department at the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at Ostim Technical University.
In his role as Deputy General Manager for Corporate Management at ASELSAN, KARATAŞ has been responsible for human resources management, organizational development, information management, contracts, facilities and technological infrastructure management, communication, sustainability, business excellence, and quality. From 2019 to 2022, he served as a member of the Board of Directors at TeknoHAB Technology Development Region Management Company.
KARATAŞ, who serves as the Founding Chairman of the ASELSAN Social Innovation Leaders Association (ASİL), a non-profit organization with public benefit status, has led numerous impactful projects that resonate with diverse segments of society. On July 7, 2023, he was appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of TR Education and Technology Inc. according to the Board Resolution No. 2023/7/1. KARATAŞ began his role as a Member of the Board of Directors for Defence Industry Technologies on June 10, 2024.
KARATAŞ has received numerous prestigious awards, including being recognized among the “Top 50 Most Admired CHROs” by CREA MICE in 2021, 2022, and 2023; the “Top 50 Most Effective CHROs” by BMI Business School in 2021, 2023 and 2025; the “Top 50 Most Powerful HR Leaders” by Economist in 2022; and the “Top 50 Sustainability Leaders in Türkiye” by Fast Company in 2022.
In 2023, he won first place in the “Most Inspirational HR Leader” category at the Youth Awards 2023. Prof. Dr. KARATAŞ has also authored three books focused on personal development and professional life: “Hayatta İş İşte Hayat”, “Hikayeden Dersler” and “Derinliğini Keşfet”.
On June 26, 2023, upon the approval of President Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN, he was appointed as Deputy Secretary of the Secretariat of Defence Industry by Presidential Decree No. 3, published in the Official Gazette. He currently serves as Deputy Secretary responsible for of Corporate Development and Talent Management.
Additionally, KARATAŞ has published numerous articles, papers, and projects at both national and international levels. He is married with two children, and speaks English fluently.