Brian Byers

Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame

“Curious top-performer who seeks to grow those around him and have fun while doing it.”

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Fun Fact About Yourself: In my free time, I enjoy working on cars and cooking.

Undergraduate School and Major: Northern Illinois University, double major in Accounting and Business Management

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: At Baker Tilly I was a Manager in the Forensics, Litigation, and Valuation Services practice.

When you think of Notre Dame, what are the first things that come to mind? How have your experiences with the Mendoza program thus far reinforced or upended these early impressions? The first things that come to mind are academic excellence, Catholic values, athletics, and long-standing traditions. The Mendoza program was intentional about integrating the MBA students into the aforementioned. During the first week of orientation, we took a deep dive into the University’s history, toured the Basilica, reflected and prayed at the Grotto, and learned the ND football chants.

Aside from your classmates, what was the one key part of the Mendoza MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Another key part would be the faculty in Mendoza’s MBA program, as they genuinely want to see the students succeed. Our faculty is unique because they have a wide range of experience leading up to Mendoza, which helps lay a strong foundation for our MBA students. As a few examples, our current faculty includes an MD at a top investment bank (Howard Lanser) and a professor who has testified in front of Congress (Robert Battalio).

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Mendoza? The Finance & Investments Club at Notre Dame has been immensely helpful while recruiting for investment banking. The second year MBAs in club leadership (Mark Pagel, Alex Renzi, and Joe Gorsche) helped prepare, guide, and support us throughout the process.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I was promoted to Manager at 27, which allowed me to further grow the practice, and mentor Baker Tilly’s newest team members.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? Being selected to intern at Harris Williams as an Investment Banking Summer Associate.

Mendoza is known as a purpose-driven MBA program that asks students to “Grow the good in business.” What is your mission and how has Mendoza been helping you realize it? My personal mission is to “Use my skills to positively impact the world.” Mendoza has been helping me realize this mission most recently through recruitment. As a future investment banker, I’ll help clients capitalize on the value they’ve spent many years creating.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? There are many that come to mind, but the best memory was attending my first Notre Dame football game. The energy and support for the university truly shines on game day.

DON’T MISS: MEET NOTRE DAME MENDOZA’S MBA CLASS OF 2026

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