2023 Top Consultants: Eskander Yavar

Eskander oversees the continued growth of BDO's Advisory practice by delivering high-quality, client-centric business performance solutions while building a culture of highly engaged and collaborative professionals. Eskander focuses on meeting clients' desired outcomes through a holistic, cross-firm approach that drives sustainable and resilient growth. He brings a unique understanding and command of technology, supply chain, financial and operational performance improvements combined with a "high touch" interaction style that improves the flow and timeliness of complex engagements.

With more than 24 years of experience in professional services, Eskander has led numerous transformational projects across of range of industries including manufacturing, private equity and natural resources. He has likewise driven an innovative internal approach, including by pioneering BDO's Manufacturing Academy for the firm's professionals.

With a wide breadth of experience across the manufacturing, private equity and natural resources industries, Eskander has served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Manufacturers since 2020. Eskander received a BBA from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from the University of Houston.

What has motivated you to excel over the course of your career?

With family roots in Nicaragua and Iran, my parents immigrated to the United States with the hope of creating a better life for themselves and our family. I'm immensely proud that their gamble helped me pursue a career where I could become a middle market leader and advisor for some of the most respected companies in the world. I don't take for granted the opportunity my parents and this country have provided me to thrive in both my career and personal life.

Their immigration story remains a source of motivation for me. The challenges they overcame coupled with the ideals they instilled in me – most notably valuing the collective over the needs of just one individual – continue to inspire me. I've tried to remain true to the lessons of my childhood, both in my personal life and in my work. I am constantly striving to make things better for my clients and our BDO teams, following the motto of "feeding the village first." Meaning, we work together to ensure that we can take care of one another and our clients over advancing personal, individual interests.

What has been the biggest factor in your success so far?

Kindness is my secret superpower. While this outlook sounds simple, it can be very impactful across the business; positivity is contagious! Negative energy stands in the way of great things; I know the energy I bring to the table is important, as it encourages those around me to emulate this outlook.

I choose positivity and find joy in problem-solving and helping others. I truly believe in servant leadership – it is not only my job to serve our clients, but also my opportunity to serve our advisory professionals. By creating new opportunities for them, highlighting their talents, and finding areas of collaboration and innovation, I help grow our advisory practice and the firm.

This outlook pays off. I'm proud of the Management Advisory Services practice's high employee retention rates and the 3000% increase in revenue during my seven-year tenure leading the practice. It's a joy to see how our practice has evolved, not only in terms of revenue growth but also in terms of how we work with one another to advance our profession and our client work. Positivity breeds creativity and excitement; within that space, we do our best work.

What do you enjoy most about your career in the consulting industry?

The people. One of the great joys of my job is supporting my colleagues and seeing their careers blossom, and how that directly helps BDO and our clients. Watching people grow and accomplish something great keeps me grounded.

One of the most significant ways I can make an impact is helping set a vision for our future and galvanizing our teams to co-create and buy into that vision. I truly believe that our firm occupies a unique intersection of organizational agility and operational fortitude. We have the resources and capabilities needed to solve complex problems, with a nimbleness not seen in many larger organizations. It's my role to motivate our people to take advantage of this combination, to help bring out their best traits and solve some of the largest challenges our clients face. If I can help unleash the true talent in our people, I have done my job successfully, since I know the client relationships and revenue will follow.

What is your proudest achievement to date?

My proudest achievement was in October 2022, when our CEO Wayne Berson asked me to become National Managing Partner of Advisory. He saw that I can bring people together in a way that advances our firm, and I'm grateful to the entire executive team and board for placing their trust in me. It's a privilege to now lead a practice of over 1,400 employees for a firm exceeding $2.5 billion in revenue with over 11,000 employees.

The recognition from the CEO was also a chance to step into the next phase of my career. I didn't think I would have this opportunity so soon, but I am honored I received the chance to take on the role. With the firm showing steady growth and with BDO's great culture, I am surrounded by people who want to do right for their clients and fellow professionals. I see this as an opportunity to build our firm's successes and continue raising the bar on how we can help middle market companies achieve great things.

What's the best advice you've ever been given?

Someone told me early in my career that you must find your own balance between work and your personal life.

While that is certainly true, our people cannot fully embrace this mindset unless their leaders embrace it. I try to lead by example and encourage my teams to work in ways that help them find the right fit between the two. Whether that means utilizing BDO Flex to spend time with family, prioritizing vacation, or simply setting up periods where they don't need to check emails, it's critical a positive tone on mental wellness comes from the top. I've found even at my busiest, for my own well-being I must do things that personally help me thrive. For me, it means dedicated time with my children and quality time with my wife.

Thankfully at BDO, I have the support of the entire leadership team. We see the connection between work and life as less of a balance and more of a fit. It's something we have prioritized as a corporate driver of productivity and wellness for over a decade. I consciously choose to find ways to prioritize my family life, and it has been critical to my success and achievements.

What does this recognition mean to you?

I believe that true leaders don't just drive results, they foster cultures that help people thrive. While client and business outcomes are incredibly important, in my view, this approach to culture is just as – if not more – important. Receiving this recognition would be a validation of the importance of servant leadership.

I want this recognition to showcase to my practice, our firm and our clients that a culture of caring begets positive results. Yes, we know the importance of billable hours to the bottom line, but in focusing on human relationships, we build sustainable success in the long run.

On a more personal level, receiving this award would also validate the chance my parents took many years ago to immigrate to the United States. It would also confirm the values they instilled in me as a child to only seek greatness when also lifting others up. We can all do more, together.