Our Team

The Harder Consulting Team

Elizabeth Harder, President and Owner

Before founding Harder Consulting, Inc. in 1998 Liz worked as an auditor for KPMG and held accounting management positions for companies in the distribution and financial services industries.  She began her career in the staffing industry when she was hired to open the Houston office for a Dallas-based staffing firm in 1992.

Liz moved to Austin in 1995 and has been active in the community ever since.  She is the Past President of the Capital City Association of Personnel Consultants and Secretary/Treasurer of the Texas Association of Personnel Consultants.  She is also the Past President of the Austin Chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance & Accounting, the National Vice-President of the American Association of Finance & Accounting and the Past President of the Westwood High School Skills USA Booster Club.  She is a member of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants and has served as a volunteer for Junior Achievement and the Accounting Career Awareness Program.

Liz received her Bachelors degree in Business Administration with a major in accounting from the University of Texas at Austin in 1982.  She is a Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC) and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Pete Farias, Director of Recruiting

Pete Farias is responsible for managing client searches and assisting candidates with their career needs.  He also makes presentations on topics including Career Planning, Interviewing Skills and Resume Preparation.  He has presented to the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), American Society of Women in Accounting (ASWA), Association of Latino Professionals in Finance & Accounting (ALPFA) and the UT Student Chapter of ALPFA.  Pete is currently the Education Chair for the Capital City Association of Personnel Consultants.

Pete began his career in the management training program with JCPenney Company in San Antonio, Texas.  After completing the training program Pete was promoted to run a $2 million boys department. Prior to leaving JC Penny, he was responsible for a $5.5 million mens department.  In 1996 Pete was recruited by Foley's to manage a $3 million men's department at one of their Austin stores.  Pete began his tenure with Harder Consulting in 1999. 

Cindy Bowden,  Staffing Manager

Cindy Bowden manages the day-to-day coordination of client-based consultants and is responsible for working with Harder Consulting clients to ensure that their staffing needs are met.  She holds the CTS designation and has been with Harder Consulting for 6 years.

Cindy began her career in early childhood education and then transitioned into retail.  While at Marshall's Cindy was Manager responsible for  front end operations, as well as human resources.  She also oversaw merchandising and training of associates.  She opened 4 new stores for the company and was promoted to Assistant Store Manager where she had overall store management and hiring responsibilities for full-time and part-time personnel.