Women at Baird Fixed Income Capital Markets: Stacy Rowland

Although no two days are the same, they all focus on customer communication and finding value. If I’m going to be a partner to my customers, I need to understand their goals and concerns. I also spend several hours a day reading about the markets, analyzing bonds and discussing nuances with traders to find the best opportunities for my clients. Whether it’s on the phone, in print or (hopefully again soon) in person, I stay in frequent contact with customers and present ideas that fit their needs.

For many years I was the only woman in the meeting or at the dinner, but I never let that bother me – once people saw my work ethic, my gender no longer mattered. That said, although more women are involved in investment banking on both the buy and the sell side, it’s common to find the “old boys network” still determines who will be successful. I’ve never felt those undercurrents at Baird – everyone is working with me toward the success of the company and the best interests of the customer. It is such a breath of fresh air and unlike anything I’ve experienced in my career.

My family has always been a top priority for me. I’m lucky to have a husband who stayed at home with our children so I could focus on my career. At a large bank that valued face time more than productivity, work/life balance was not an option, and I ended up choosing to cut my maternity leave short and missed many of my children’s important “firsts” so I could be present in the office. Baird realizes that being successful does not require such a binary choice – I’m now able to be both a meaningful producer and a present parent. Baird treats us like grown-ups who can properly manage their own work loads. I’m so lucky to be here – I can’t imagine working anywhere else!

Two pieces of advice have served me well in my career. The first came from my father, who told me it isn’t important how you got there – just show them what you can do. When I first started in this industry, I was told I was hired as a “token.” I can’t say if that were true, but I worked hard over the last 30 years to prove I could be as committed and successful as anyone.

I’d also recommend building a network of people who care about your success. Get involved with special projects at work and in the community and learn what you can from seniors and peers. I began my career as a shy girl on a large trading floor, and I quickly realized I wouldn’t last long without a thick skin and strong opinions of my own. When I first started, there were few people who were willing to “invest” in me, so I taught myself the vast majority of what I know about the fixed income business. I learned along the way that relationships are critically important, especially for young women. Finding those connections will help you accomplish your goals more quickly and provide stability when the “bumps in the road” inevitably come along.