Seminar Series of the Faculty of Applied Sciences – Spring 2026 – 8. Seminar

Dear Students of the Faculty of Applied Sciences,

You are kindly informed to welcome the Human Resources Director of Hilton İstanbul Bosphorus, Ms. Seher Umut Günkent as the guest speaker of the seminar series.

Date      : Thursday, 7 May 2026

Time      : 14:40-15:30

Place     : AB3 #150 / Zeynep Alp Köseoğlu Auditorium

Ms. Seher Umut Günkent holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Labor Economics and Industrial Relations from Gazi University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, and a Master’s Degree in Management and Organizations from Çukurova University, building a strong academic foundation in human resources and business management.

Ms. Seher Umut Günkent began her professional career in 2002 in the cruise tourism industry in the United States and worked for approximately nine years at Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., holding positions within U.S. and UK based operations. During this time, she gained extensive experience in managing multicultural teams, global HR practices, and international corporate standards.

Following her return to Türkiye, Ms. Seher Umut Günkent has continued her career under the Hilton Hotels and Resorts umbrella since 2011. She has served in Training and Development, Human Resources Management, and Human Resources Director roles at Adana and Mersin HiltonSA hotels, leading key initiatives in organizational development, leadership, and employee experience. Since 2019, she has been serving as Human Resources Director and, as of 2026, continues in the same role at Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus.

Throughout her tenure at Hilton, she has also contributed as a facilitator in the company’s prestigious Proactive Leadership Programs and Workshops, actively supporting the design and delivery of executive and leadership development initiatives.

Ms. Seher Umut Günkent continues to share her expertise in human resources management, leadership, and employee development through trainings, knowledgesharing platforms, and mentoring, with the aim of building a strong bridge between academia and the business world.

In the seminar class, Ms. Seher Umut Günkent will present on “Women’s Leadership in the Hospitality Industry: Challenges, Opportunities, and Transformation”.