MKExplore: Fostering Inclusion in Financial Services

This spring, Baird hosted the third annual MKExplore event where our associates come together to welcome high school and college students to the firm for daylong events designed to introduce them to the field of financial services in an effort to increase diversity in the industry’s future workforce.  

What started as a grassroots effort in 2023 by a small, cross-functional group of Milwaukee-based associates to create a meaningful networking experience for students and help open doors to future opportunities has grown to an event hosting more than 50 students each year.  The event has also been replicated in our Chicago and Louisville offices.  

The day is filled with activities including presentations from Baird’s business units and Corporate Resource Groups, underscoring opportunities to work in financial services but in fields like Marketing and Human Resources for students who may be interested in those professions. 

Exhibiting how the financial services industry works to help communities, individuals, corporations and families build capacity and wealth is essential to educating young people about how they can take part in the economic growth of the country. A diverse workforce can help managers understand and address the needs of a demographically diverse customer base. Diversity also can be beneficial in solving complex problems and lead to better performance. 

The day is meaningful not just for the students and their leaders, but to Baird associates as well. “MKExplore is one of the more fulfilling activities I’ve had the pleasure in planning and participating in throughout my career,” said Kenan Peterson, Wealth Strategist & Diverse Segments Leader. “Exposing students from underrepresented backgrounds to all the different aspects of Baird will make us and the larger financial services industry better.”