Mary Byers is a national speaker, author, and consultant who is dedicated to helping people live and work more fully. An award-winning communicator and member of the National Speakers Association, Byers has been speaking professionally since 1988. She currently consults with, and speaks to, a wide variety of associations, corporations, civic groups, women`s groups and social service agencies, specializing in strategic planning and facilitating tough conversations.

A professional writer for 20 years, Byers is the author of The Mother Load: How to Meet Your Own Needs While Caring for Your Family, How to Say No and Live to Tell About It and Extraordinary Women. Her newest release is Race for Relevance: Five Radical Changes for Associations.

She has also written for several publications, including Entrepreneur, Association Management, and the Fort Wayne News Sentinel. In addition, she is currently a columnist for two professional trade publications and managing editor for a quarterly journal.

Byers is a frequent media guest, discussing women`s topics on national radio and television programs produced by the Total Living Network , Crossroads Christian Communications, LeSea Broadcasting, North American Mission Board, Moody Broadcasting, and Trinity TV. She has been quoted in Women`s Day, Parents, and Organic Style magazines and featured in the State Journal-Register, The Pantagraph and The Janesville Gazette.

Byers graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Telecommunications and is a Certified Association Executive.

Prior to becoming a consultant, she worked as Director of Communications and Member Services for the Illinois State Dental Society, as Director of Advertising for the International Order of the Golden Rule and as Assistant Advertising Director of Marine Bank of Springfield, Illinois.

Byers was named Distinguished Alumni in 2012 by her high school. She served as a Board Member for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Sangamon County, Illinois and was named Big Sister of the Year in 1992. The Illinois Society of Association Executives recognized her with its Association Excellence Award in 1996 and its President's Award in 1997.

Byers resides in Illinois with her family.