M. Haluk KULA
Secretary General
Born in Istanbul in 1953, Haluk Kula graduated from Istanbul University, Faculty of Press and Public Relations, and later pursued education at the Academy of Business Sciences. He specialized in exterior insulation and restoration of old buildings and historical monuments.
Before retirement, he lectured on Facility Management at Istanbul University for seven years. He has also designed numerous websites and developed projects in digital communications. He currently serves as a volunteer Secretary General at Yücel Cultural Foundation.
Secretary General
Born in Istanbul in 1953, Haluk Kula graduated from Istanbul University, Faculty of Press and Public Relations, and later pursued education at the Academy of Business Sciences. He specialized in exterior insulation and restoration of old buildings and historical monuments.
Before retirement, he lectured on Facility Management at Istanbul University for seven years. He has also designed numerous websites and developed projects in digital communications. He currently serves as a volunteer Secretary General at Yücel Cultural Foundation.
Aslıcan KÖMEÇOĞLU
Scholarships Coordinator & Administrative Affairs Manager
Born in Istanbul in 1986, Aslıcan Kömeçoğlu is a graduate of Environmental Engineering from Kocaeli University. After gaining experience in the private sector, she joined Yücel Cultural Foundation in 2018.
She oversees the scholarship selection and evaluation processes and manages communication with regional directorates of foundations, banks, and other official institutions. She also coordinates correspondence received through the foundation’s email system.
A mother of two, Kömeçoğlu is recognized for her meticulousness in organization and order at the workplace, approaching her responsibilities with great dedication.
Scholarships Coordinator & Administrative Affairs Manager
Born in Istanbul in 1986, Aslıcan Kömeçoğlu is a graduate of Environmental Engineering from Kocaeli University. After gaining experience in the private sector, she joined Yücel Cultural Foundation in 2018.
She oversees the scholarship selection and evaluation processes and manages communication with regional directorates of foundations, banks, and other official institutions. She also coordinates correspondence received through the foundation’s email system.
A mother of two, Kömeçoğlu is recognized for her meticulousness in organization and order at the workplace, approaching her responsibilities with great dedication.
Ece DİKMENLİ
Social Media Coordinator
Born in 1995, Ece Dikmenli graduated from Sakarya University with a degree in Labor Economics and Industrial Relations, and from Anadolu University in Management Information Systems. She is currently pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in Journalism at Sakarya University and working on her master’s thesis in Social Policy.
She has held various positions in media and human resources, gaining experience at CNN Türk, Otokoç, Poldy Software, and TV100. She also has entrepreneurial experience in social media. For the past 10 years, she has been a licensed table official at the Turkish Basketball Federation, working at both national and international levels.
Since joining Yücel Cultural Foundation in 2023, Ece has been responsible for managing all social media communications, while also contributing to artist and university collaborations, press relations, promotional activities, and rental processes.
Social Media Coordinator
Born in 1995, Ece Dikmenli graduated from Sakarya University with a degree in Labor Economics and Industrial Relations, and from Anadolu University in Management Information Systems. She is currently pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in Journalism at Sakarya University and working on her master’s thesis in Social Policy.
She has held various positions in media and human resources, gaining experience at CNN Türk, Otokoç, Poldy Software, and TV100. She also has entrepreneurial experience in social media. For the past 10 years, she has been a licensed table official at the Turkish Basketball Federation, working at both national and international levels.
Since joining Yücel Cultural Foundation in 2023, Ece has been responsible for managing all social media communications, while also contributing to artist and university collaborations, press relations, promotional activities, and rental processes.
Ekremcan BAKIR
General Coordinator
Born in Istanbul in 1989, Ekremcan Bakır graduated from Kadıköy Anatolian High School and completed his bachelor’s degree in International Trade at Boğaziçi University. He also studied Sociology, Human Resources Management, Culinary Arts, Web Design and Coding, and Visual Communication Design at Anadolu University.
After graduation, he worked at Divan A.Ş. (Koç Group) as a reporting clerk, production planning specialist, and HR specialist, focusing on training, organizational development, and employee engagement. He also coordinated the Simphony project under Koç Holding’s digital transformation goals.
From 2012 to 2021, he volunteered as HR Coordinator at MAGMA & Boğaziçi Jazz Choir. Through the joint project “Voices of Cultures” with Yücel Cultural Foundation, he began working part-time as a project coordinator in 2019.
Since 2021, he has been working full-time at the foundation, overseeing the operations and programming of the performance center, while also contributing actively in R&D, website management, translation, digital marketing, and video editing.
General Coordinator
Born in Istanbul in 1989, Ekremcan Bakır graduated from Kadıköy Anatolian High School and completed his bachelor’s degree in International Trade at Boğaziçi University. He also studied Sociology, Human Resources Management, Culinary Arts, Web Design and Coding, and Visual Communication Design at Anadolu University.
After graduation, he worked at Divan A.Ş. (Koç Group) as a reporting clerk, production planning specialist, and HR specialist, focusing on training, organizational development, and employee engagement. He also coordinated the Simphony project under Koç Holding’s digital transformation goals.
From 2012 to 2021, he volunteered as HR Coordinator at MAGMA & Boğaziçi Jazz Choir. Through the joint project “Voices of Cultures” with Yücel Cultural Foundation, he began working part-time as a project coordinator in 2019.
Since 2021, he has been working full-time at the foundation, overseeing the operations and programming of the performance center, while also contributing actively in R&D, website management, translation, digital marketing, and video editing.
M. Enis ERTUNA
Corporate Relations Coordinator
Born in Istanbul in 1974, Enis Ertuna graduated from Marmara University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, and later earned his master’s degree in International Finance at the same university. He holds several certifications in personal development, including body language, time management, and leadership skills.
He has worked in finance, sales, and management roles at institutions such as Denizbank, BilgeAdam IT Services, and MESAM (Turkish Musical Work Owners’ Society). He joined Yücel Cultural Foundation in 2019 and played a key role in the development of bursverenler.org.
Although he retired in 2024, he soon returned to actively contribute again, focusing on inter-foundation collaborations and scholarship coordination processes.
Corporate Relations Coordinator
Born in Istanbul in 1974, Enis Ertuna graduated from Marmara University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, and later earned his master’s degree in International Finance at the same university. He holds several certifications in personal development, including body language, time management, and leadership skills.
He has worked in finance, sales, and management roles at institutions such as Denizbank, BilgeAdam IT Services, and MESAM (Turkish Musical Work Owners’ Society). He joined Yücel Cultural Foundation in 2019 and played a key role in the development of bursverenler.org.
Although he retired in 2024, he soon returned to actively contribute again, focusing on inter-foundation collaborations and scholarship coordination processes.
Yavuz HARDAL
Security and Maintenance Officer
Born in Ankara in 1953, Yavuz Hardal started working at a young age and spent many years as a foundry worker in various factories. During his military service in the Cyprus Peace Operation, he was wounded and honored as a veteran.
Since 2002, he has been working at Yücel Cultural Foundation, where he has become affectionately known as “Brother Yavuz,” especially among young people and the members of MAGMA & Boğaziçi Jazz Choir. With his dedication that extends beyond working hours and his meticulous attention at every event, he has been an exemplary volunteer.
Security and Maintenance Officer
Born in Ankara in 1953, Yavuz Hardal started working at a young age and spent many years as a foundry worker in various factories. During his military service in the Cyprus Peace Operation, he was wounded and honored as a veteran.
Since 2002, he has been working at Yücel Cultural Foundation, where he has become affectionately known as “Brother Yavuz,” especially among young people and the members of MAGMA & Boğaziçi Jazz Choir. With his dedication that extends beyond working hours and his meticulous attention at every event, he has been an exemplary volunteer.
Yunus Emre BENLİ
Project & Volunteer Coordinator
Born in Malatya in 1990, Yunus Emre Benli graduated from Trakya University with a degree in International Relations and is continuing his studies in Sociology at Anadolu University. He has been actively involved in youth-focused NGOs for over 10 years.
He has worked as a trainer with the Community Volunteers Foundation, Edirne Municipality Youth Council, Youthart Association, and UNICEF projects. In 2022, he joined Yücel Cultural Foundation as Project and Volunteer Coordinator.
He designs training and events to empower young people and enjoys outdoor hobbies such as cycling, camping, swimming, hiking, and photography, which he shares with the youth he works with.
Project & Volunteer Coordinator
Born in Malatya in 1990, Yunus Emre Benli graduated from Trakya University with a degree in International Relations and is continuing his studies in Sociology at Anadolu University. He has been actively involved in youth-focused NGOs for over 10 years.
He has worked as a trainer with the Community Volunteers Foundation, Edirne Municipality Youth Council, Youthart Association, and UNICEF projects. In 2022, he joined Yücel Cultural Foundation as Project and Volunteer Coordinator.
He designs training and events to empower young people and enjoys outdoor hobbies such as cycling, camping, swimming, hiking, and photography, which he shares with the youth he works with.
Gürhan ÇETİNKAYA
Accounting and Finance
Born in Şişli in 1987, Gürhan Çetinkaya graduated from Yıldız Technical University, Faculty of Business Administration in 2009. He has been working as a certified public accountant for over 15 years and meticulously manages all financial processes of the foundation.
Thanks to his thorough and detail-oriented approach, many overlooked issues are identified and resolved on time. Passionate about travel and an active lifestyle, he has visited numerous countries and integrated sports into his daily routine.
Accounting and Finance
Born in Şişli in 1987, Gürhan Çetinkaya graduated from Yıldız Technical University, Faculty of Business Administration in 2009. He has been working as a certified public accountant for over 15 years and meticulously manages all financial processes of the foundation.
Thanks to his thorough and detail-oriented approach, many overlooked issues are identified and resolved on time. Passionate about travel and an active lifestyle, he has visited numerous countries and integrated sports into his daily routine.
Sami ALTUNDAĞ
Software Specialist
A member of the Yücel Cultural Foundation Board of Trustees, Sami Altundağ contributes significantly with his expertise in software development. He has led the digital transformation of the foundation by developing the software infrastructure of yucelkulturvakfi.org, bursverenler.org, and sanateserleri.org.
In addition to technology, Altundağ is also interested in sustainable agriculture practices. He lives in Northern Cyprus with his academician wife and son, while continuing to actively support the foundation through weekly online meetings.
Software Specialist
A member of the Yücel Cultural Foundation Board of Trustees, Sami Altundağ contributes significantly with his expertise in software development. He has led the digital transformation of the foundation by developing the software infrastructure of yucelkulturvakfi.org, bursverenler.org, and sanateserleri.org.
In addition to technology, Altundağ is also interested in sustainable agriculture practices. He lives in Northern Cyprus with his academician wife and son, while continuing to actively support the foundation through weekly online meetings.