Meet Koste Williams
Deborah Koste
Founder of Koste Williams, Debby Koste’s considerable knowledge base comes from more than 30 years of corporate and consulting experience. Prior to founding our firm in 1992, she was with United Technologies for 15 years in progressively more responsible human resources executive staff and line roles. She led human resources for a global division, and then directed the recruitment, development and succession of executive talent for the corporation. In her last role, Debby worked closely with senior leadership, the CEO, and the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors in leading the design of new corporate-wide compensation and benefits programs. Debby also appreciates the importance of community outreach. She served on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Pre-Engineering Program, helping over 8,000 under-represented students prepare for college studies in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. She has also supported the NYC Leadership Academy, transforming education through principals, to maximize every child’s potential. Most recently, Debby served on the Board of Directors of Bottom Line, an organization dedicated to helping disadvantaged students get in to college and graduate from college.
“My experience with Koste Williams has never been anything other than exceptional. I first worked with Debby Koste when she helped me land one of the most rewarding jobs of my career, working with a strong and highly talented Senior Vice President of Human Resources. After having such a good experience myself, when it came time to upgrade the capabilities of my own team, the first person I called was Debby. Since then, I have enjoyed a lasting and meaningful partnership with Koste Williams that goes well beyond the transactional placement of high-performing talent on my team.”
- Laura Mainville Guenther
Director of Organization
Development
Advanced Micro Devices
“We hired Koste Williams to conduct a very difficult search. We needed a Senior HR leader in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The candidate had to have deep experience in organizational development, change management, staffing and labor relations—basically a ‘needle in a haystack!’ Koste Williams presented four highly qualified candidates in a timely manner. The individual we hired began to contribute immediately both at the strategic and tactical levels. She has turned out to be the best HR hire we have made in my three-year tenure with Celanese. The HR leader’s husband has accepted an assignment in a European city where we do not have an office. Nevertheless, she is so good we have decided to keep her on a virtual team, leading a two-year HR project. I have worked with all the large search firms on senior searches. My experience with the Koste Williams team has been the most satisfying experience in the past 20 years. I highly recommend the Koste Williams team and give them my 5-star ‘exceeds expectations’ rating.”
- Joe Fox
Vice President
HR and Employment Law
Celanese International
Chemical Corporation