Expert

Sheryl A. Barden

President and CEO

Aviation Personnel International

Sheryl A. Barden, CAM, is the President and CEO of Aviation Personnel International, which has served the business aviation industry’s human resources needs for 50 years. At API, one of Barden’s key roles is to work in tandem with Part 91 flight department leaders and their HR partners, helping them attract and retain the expert level of aviation talent they’re seeking. 

Within the business aviation industry, Barden is regarded as one of the most highly respected, dynamic, “go-to” leaders, an expert in all things related to people and the aviation workforce issues they must navigate. Her areas of expertise include virtually every major HR-related issue facing the aviation industry today, including talent shortage, recruitment, professionalism, compensation, retention and outplacement. 

Among her numerous leadership roles, Barden’s voice and strategic know-how are regularly sought out for industry symposia, select committees and panels. She also writes about people-related issues in API’s Trending Topics newsletter, and is an “AINsight” columnist for the leading aviation industry trade publication, Aviation International News. 

Barden joined API in 2001, as Vice President of Business Development, and she assumed the critical role of President in 2003. Then, in 2013, she added CEO responsibilities to her position. Under her skilled leadership, API has grown exponentially, remaining true to its founding principles of integrity, confidentiality and industry-leading client service. 

Barden is a member of the International Aviation Womens Association, Women in Corporate Aviation, Society for Human Resources Management and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). She recently served on the NBAA’s Board of Directors, was Chair of the NBAA Advisory Council and, for six years, served on the NBAA Corporate Aviation Management Committee. Additionally, she’s Past President of the International Women’s Forum of Northern California. 

Barden holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management with an emphasis in Personnel Management from Pennsylvania State University, and an MBA from the McLaren School of Business, at the University of San Francisco. In 2021, she became a Certified Aviation Manager as well as a Birkman® Certified Professional.