Baird Named to Corporate Equality Index's Best Places to Work
Earns 100 percent on Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 17th Annual Scorecard on LGBTQ Workplace Equality
MILWAUKEE, March. 28, 2019 – Baird announced today that it received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2019 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s premier benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation. Baird joins the ranks of 571 major U.S. businesses which also earned top marks this year.
“At Baird, we have an ongoing commitment to maintaining a great workplace environment where every associate is valued and supported,” said Steve Booth, Baird President & CEO. “This award sends a strong message to our associates and community about our commitment to inclusion and diversity. A key part of that commitment is ensuring we have the policies and practices in place that foster a culture of equality for all of our associates.”
The 2019 CEI evaluates LGBTQ-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBTQ community. Baird’s efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria results in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.
Baird embraces and supports its LGBT+ associates, clients and communities. The firm is committed to creating a workplace where all feel welcomed and encouraged to be their authentic selves every day. Spectrum, Baird’s LGBT+ Associate Resource Group, celebrated its 7th anniversary this year and provides educational sessions, networking opportunities and outings for LGBT+ associates and allies. Spectrum has also formed partnerships with a number of community organizations including the Cream City Foundation, UWM LGBT Resource Center and is a leading corporate fundraiser for AIDS Walk Wisconsin.
“It is absolutely fantastic to receive a 100% score on the Corporate Equality Index for the second year in a row, as this further reinforces Baird’s commitment to inclusion and diversity,” said Justin Parker, IT Delivery Manager and Vice-Chair of Spectrum. “We are grateful to be able to partner closely with our senior leaders to raise LGBTQ visibility and awareness.”
In reflecting upon this achievement, Brian Lefler, Co-Chair of Spectrum, said, “Creating a culture where all associates feel connected, involved and valued is crucial. Our Spectrum ARG truly has a family feel and I am extremely proud of all that we have accomplished to help encourage our LGBTQ associates, allies and advocates to bring their authentic selves to work every day.”
For more information on the 2019 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.
About Baird
Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2019, Baird is an employee-owned, international wealth management, asset management, investment banking/capital markets, and private equity firm with offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. Baird has approximately 3,500 associates serving the needs of individual, corporate, institutional and municipal clients and more than $208 billion in client assets as of Dec. 31, 2018. Baird is the marketing name of Baird Financial Group. Baird’s principal operating subsidiaries are Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated in the United States and Robert W. Baird Group Ltd. in Europe. Baird also has an operating subsidiary in Asia supporting Baird’s investment banking and private equity operations. For more information, please visit Baird’s website at www.rwbaird.com.
For additional information, contact:
Marianne Foster
Baird Public Relations
414-298-1906