Employee Stories

Deniz Eltem

Putting people first and turning care into action

Can you tell us about your career journey so far and how you came to join Standard Chartered?

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and have also completed an MBA. During my MBA studies, I developed a strong interest in building a career in Human Resources after recognising that it would allow me to effectively leverage both my analytical thinking and interpersonal skills.

I began my HR career at Deutsche Bank as a long-term intern, which provided me with a solid foundation and valuable exposure to the HR function. Over the past 17 years, I have had the opportunity to contribute to both local and multinational organisations across various sectors in Türkiye, with a primary focus on banking and financial services.

I’ve completed several certification programs in Human Resources and Coaching alongside my full-time roles. Among these, the Co-Active Coaching Training I completed in 2017 has been particularly transformational for me. In parallel with my corporate career, I have also worked as a Career Coach in both voluntary and professional settings. I strongly believe in embodying a coaching mindset rather than merely practicing it, and I strive to reflect this approach in my daily interactions and relationships.

Versatility is a key source of motivation for me. In addition to my role at Standard Chartered, I also serve as a part-time lecturer, supporting HR professionals at various stages of their careers. A quote by Maya Angelou “When you get, give. When you learn, teach” has long been a guiding principle in my life. In line with this, I am passionate about sharing knowledge and helping others grow, both professionally and personally.

International banks operating in Türkiye remained a key focus for me, as I have always valued their corporate culture and dynamic environment. With this aspiration, I joined Standard Chartered in September 2025, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in my career.

Can you describe a project or initiative you’re particularly proud of and the impact it had?

Throughout my career, I have led and contributed to a number of impactful initiatives; however, I find that the most meaningful ones are often those grounded in simplicity yet aligned closely with employee needs.

In one of my previous roles, we were focused on improving our employee engagement scores, as measured through annual surveys. I proposed introducing structured “coffee chat” sessions – small, roundtable discussions with employees, to create a safe and open space for dialogue. My core belief was that feeling heard and valued is fundamental to engagement.

We implemented these sessions consistently over the course of a year, which enabled us to gain deeper insights into employee expectations, identify emerging themes, and better understand underlying organizational dynamics. Based on these insights, we refined several processes and introduced targeted initiatives to enhance the overall employee experience.

We saw a notable improvement in our subsequent engagement survey results, but more importantly, there was a visible shift in the day-to-day workplace atmosphere – stronger connections, increased openness, and a more positive employee sentiment overall. While the approach itself was not complex, it reinforced a critical principle: placing people at the heart of our decisions is not just an HR priority, but a business imperative.

Can you share a time when you really felt supported by the organisation or your colleagues?

I experienced this very recently at Standard Chartered. A few months ago, my mother accidentally fell in the street and suffered a severe shoulder fracture that required surgery. During that period, I needed to step away from work to be with her and support her recovery.

What truly stood out to me was the level of care and understanding I received from both my People Leaders and colleagues. They were incredibly supportive and accommodating, ensuring that I could focus on my family during a challenging time. Beyond the professional support, their thoughtful gestures such as sending flowers and regularly checking in on my mother’s recovery, meant a great deal to me personally – moments like these reinforce a strong sense of belonging and remind me that I am part of an organisation that genuinely cares about its people.

What is it about your team and colleagues that makes you enjoy coming to work?

For me, the people I work with make all the difference. Having colleagues with a great sense of humour creates a positive and energising environment, especially given the pace and pressure of our day-to-day work.

I truly value being part of a team that is not only collaborative and easy to work with, but also mindful of bringing lightness and enjoyment into the workplace. Whether it’s sharing a lunch or spending time together during informal moments like happy hours at the office, these interactions play an important role in making work more meaningful and enjoyable.

While I appreciate the flexibility of our hybrid working model, I also gain energy from social connection. Being in the office, surrounded by colleagues I genuinely enjoy working with, is something I find both motivating and invaluable.