2021 Annual Report
PRIVATELY HELD | EMPLOYEE-OWNED
Corporate Resource Groups
Evolving With a Changing World
Our Corporate Resource Groups, or CRGs, are essential to Baird’s continued growth. These teams provide important services to our business units and our clients. Throughout 2021, each provided dynamic support to clients and colleagues across Baird.
Baird continued to make meaningful investments in technology tools and talent in 2021. Our Information Technology team welcomed more than 60 professionals and implemented a host of new technologies across the firm, including enhanced video conferencing, telecommunications and trading tools to support hybrid work models and our clients’ evolving needs. Risk Management developed innovative approaches rooted in data analytics to enhance the insights it shares with partners across Baird as the business and cyber risk landscape continues to evolve. It also named Amy Junker Director of Risk Management in January 2022. And, during a record-breaking year for Baird’s business units, Operations supported a 20% increase in transaction levels while maintaining its high level of service for internal and external clients.
Meanwhile, Finance closely monitored proposed changes to tax legislation and continuously modeled, strategized and communicated potential implications to partners across the firm. Similarly, Legal navigated a myriad of fast-changing government regulations in the pandemic environment. It also worked closely with our business units to help them pursue new opportunities that emerged throughout the year. Compliance guided the firm through the implementation of several major regulatory rules impacting the financial services industry and built a virtual branch exam program. It also named Christa Graverson Chief Compliance Officer effective January 2022.
We renamed our Facilities team to Corporate Real Estate and Workplace Solutions, or CREW, to better reflect the team’s expertise and focus on creating an engaging workplace experience for all Baird associates. The team also coordinated the modernization of workspaces across the firm, including a full remodel of Baird’s third-largest office in Louisville, Kentucky. Marketing & Communications continued to build our brand, creating materials and experiences that tell Baird’s unique story and highlight the Baird Difference. It also partnered with colleagues across the firm to implement new technologies to support our websites and mobile offerings for our clients. Corporate Events and Conference Services navigated the changing landscape of virtual, hybrid and in-person events, hosting 800+ events for our clients and associates and supporting a more than 350% increase in virtual attendance at our annual investor conferences.
To support our team and maintain the strong culture that makes Baird truly unique, our Culture team worked with colleagues across the firm to design unique programs and initiatives to engage and support our associates across the globe, whether working in office, remote or both. Human Resources shared this focus on sustaining and protecting the culture that makes Baird unique, as well as driving meaningful progress in our efforts to recruit and retain diverse talent across Baird. The team also named Rodney Jones-Tyson Global Chief Human Resources Officer effective January 2022.
Related Links
