Katalyst is excited to welcome Jenny Burke, bringing her finance and accounting background to supporting our recruiters with the very best vetted candidates. Jenny also works directly with candidates in presenting their qualifications and identifying career goals and interests. Having had direct experience serving in finance and accounting roles, Jenny appreciates the very skills candidates need for specific roles organizations are seeking to fill. Her readiness to accept new challenges and positive can-do attitude is a welcomed addition to the Katalyst team.
In an interview, Jenny (JB) shares with Katalyst Group (KG) more about her background and new role as project manager.
KG: What role do you play in your current position as an executive recruiter?
JB: My role is focused on supporting the efforts of the executive recruiters. I review, edit, and format resumes provided by the candidates before they are presented to our clients. In addition, after a discussion with the recruiter, I prepare a description and summary of candidate qualifications, candidate motivations for seeking the position, salary desired, and other information which is provided to the client along with the candidate resume.
KG: What excites you in the work you do?
JB: Our clients are looking to make a positive impact to their organization by finding just the right candidate. Our candidates are seeking to make a positive life change by finding the right fit in a new organization. I am excited to help our clients and candidates along this process, resulting in a positive outcome for both.
KG: What led you to this job?
JB: The ability to apply my accounting and finance background towards understanding candidates’ goals and interests – and have a new role where I am not creating financial statements and filing tax returns!
KG: What attracted you to work for Katalyst Group?
JB: A positive and collaborative team environment.
KG: Where did you grow up and where did you go to college?
JB: I grew up in the northern suburbs of Chicago. I have an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana and master’s degrees in Finance from De Paul University and Taxation from Northern Illinois University.
KG: Did you have any key mentors or people who inspired you in becoming the person you are today, both in work and life?
JB: I have encountered many people during my career who have inspired me along the way. Key people would be my graduate advisor who pushed me to do my best work while completing my master’s degree in tax, as well as some patient mentors who tutored me in financial systems and data analytics.
KG: Did you have any life-shaping experiences that put you on the path that led you to what you’re doing today?
JB: During my career, when seeking a new position as a job candidate, I have worked with many executive recruiters. I have felt that many of them did not make the effort to get to know me or present me in a positive way to an organization. I can relate to being in the position of a job candidate, and now working at Katalyst, I want to strive every day to provide our candidates with the very best experience possible.
KG: What is a particularly memorable event in your life?
JB: Particularly memorable events include the days that my two daughters were born as well as the day that I met my husband at the Univ of IL during a dorm party in our junior year of college.
KG: What show(s) are you currently watching or what book(s) are you currently reading?
JB: Anything to do with European history. Really enjoy watching docudramas and YouTube programs on the Russian Revolution, Queen Victoria, and of course The Crown!
KG: What is something that you have done that surprised you or those that know you well?
JB: In my previous life I was an archery champion and medal winner.
KG: What’s an interesting fact about yourself?
JB: I have a B.S. in Microbiology and my first job out of college was in a Biogenetics lab.
KG: What’s your favorite vacation spot or place you dream of retiring to?
JB: I love to go anywhere warm, especially in the winter. A favorite vacation spot is Hawaii, can’t beat the weather and the scenery is awesome, especially Volcano National Park! London and its museums are also high on my list.
