Baird is expanding its longstanding partnership with the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators (WASDA) to support the WASDA Excellence in Educational Leadership Academy. The program provides professional development for aspiring and first-year superintendents across Wisconsin.
Baird and WASDA have worked together for decades, including a longstanding role as sole sponsor of the superintendent professional development programming. WASDA’s programming for new superintendents dates back to 2000 and today includes the First Year Superintendents Academy, which provides foundational knowledge and a network of peers and professionals as they begin leading their districts.
New for the 2026-27 program year is the WASDA Cornerstone Aspiring Superintendent Academy, which kicked off in September with its first cohort of participants. Participants are recommended by their current school districts and take part in programming designed to deepen the knowledge, skills and experience needed to prepare for the superintendent role. Cornerstone extends this programming to educators before they step into the role.
With the expansion of the Academy, Baird will serve as the sole sponsor of the WASDA Excellence in Educational Leadership Academy, building on its history with WASDA and longstanding involvement in superintendent professional development. The expanded partnership also reflects Baird’s commitment to the communities we serve and helping develop the next generation of education leaders.
Through our work with school districts across Wisconsin, we see firsthand the important role superintendents play in their schools and communities,” said Brian Brewer, Director of Public Finance at Baird. “Our relationship with WASDA spans decades, and we’re proud to build on that history by helping current and future school leaders prepare for their roles and continue to grow throughout their careers.
About Baird Public Finance
Baird is a full-service broker-dealer firm that provides municipal underwriting and financial advisory services to Public School Districts, Charter Schools, Municipalities, Counties, Special Districts and Authorities, States, Developers, Higher Education and Healthcare entities. Baird’s robust team of professionals combined with its nationally recognized underwriting desk allows the firm to serve and support the evolving needs of its clients. According to S&P Muni Deal Query, Baird ranks as the No. 1 municipal underwriter and a top 5 municipal advisor nationally by number of issues collectively since 2009.
