Barbara Byster brings over 15 years of full cycle experience in retained executive search. She is highly skilled at managing client relationships as well as identifying, sourcing, and qualifying candidates to determine if they meet client expectations. In addition she ensures that she gains a thorough understanding of client companies, the industries, and the position requirements before she begins formulating the search strategies.

Barbara has experience in many industries including consumer products, manufacturing, industrial, specialty chemicals, health care, insurance, financial services and family office.  She has a track record of success recruiting C-level executives and divisional presidents as well as key functional reports in sales, risk, finance, human resources, and operations. 

Barbara’s expertise has been developed by working in all facets of the search process; this includes gaining knowledge of client companies and their competitors, defining position specifications, formulating search strategies, identifying and developing qualified candidates, conducting in-depth candidate evaluations, presenting candidate profiles, and assisting in attracting the preferred candidates. Additionally, she conducts reference checks.

Prior to forming Byster Associates, Barbara was the Managing Director for the Chicago office at a boutique firm. She also had responsibility for the New York City office. She recruited specialized professionals for a range of family office and private estate positions. Barbara managed the office’s workload and the clients in two of the primary markets; Chicago and New York. 

Before that, she worked at two international retained executive search firms; Heidrick and Struggles and Boyden Global Executive Search where she supported senior partners in various industries. 

Barbara began her career working in public and private companies in Accounting. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting at the University of Illinois in Chicago, Illinois.