C
Brown Advisory DNA
Brown Advisory’s DNA is not just one thing; it is the culture created by our 900+ colleagues working together to raise the future.
Part of our DNA is our client-first culture —— our mission is to make a material, positive difference in the lives of our clients —— and we are focused on putting clients first, always.
Part of it is our ownership structure and ownership mindset —— every one of our full-time colleagues is an equity owner.
Part of it is our purpose —— to raise the future for and with our clients, our colleagues and our communities —— we think a lot about how we can best impact and take care of all of our stakeholders.
Part of it is our commitment to humility —— knowing that we don’t have all the answers, listening more than talking, searching for new and better solutions, celebrating learning and curiosity —— because we believe this produces the best results for clients.
Part of it is our leadership in sustainable investing. Our 15-year track record in sustainable investing is driven by the belief that looking at any factor, condition or business practice can help us analyze both risks and opportunities —— all with the sole mission of driving investment performance.
Part of it is our commitment to each other —— to understand what it feels like to be in other people’s shoes —— this is what diversity, equity and inclusion mean to us.
“The Four Cs”
We use “the Four Cs” —— clients, colleagues, community and culture —— as a framework to reflect our DNA. We focus on clients, always. We take care of each other. We find material ways to help our communities thrive. And we strive to invest in, nurture and cultivate a culture that can support a special focus on the first three Cs.
CLIENT FIRST
Helping clients get “there” defines our mission.
COLLEAGUE DRIVEN
Uncompromising commitment to integrity, excellence and inclusivity guides our way.
COMMUNITY FOCUSED
Recognition of our responsibility for the future inspires our purpose.
CULTURE LED
Shared passion and beliefs translate to our clients’ success.
“ We cannot deliver on our mission —— to make a material and positive difference in the lives of our clients —— without a world-class team of colleagues who care about each other.”
REBECCA SUGARMAN, Chief Human Resources Officer
CLAUDINE BAGGETT
Director of Benefits and Compensation and Human Resources Business Partner
SAMANTHA BURNHAM
Human Resources Business Partner
LEONA BYRNES
Director of Human Resources
MIA CONTRERAS, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Recruiting and Learning and Development
Our Commitment to Listening and Transparency
For a second consecutive year, in 2023, we conducted a firmwide colleague engagement survey administered by a third party. We have committed to survey colleagues at least three years in a row to create a baseline against which to measure ourselves —— as we strive to remain accountable for colleagues’ experiences amid the firm’s growth and evolution.
On the plus side, trust in senior leadership is high, colleagues believe they have compelling career opportunities and colleagues feel the firm cares for and takes care of them. A particularly noteworthy finding was that 73% of colleagues plan to stay at the firm for at least five years or until retirement —— 22% above the industry benchmark.
On the other hand, we need to improve communication at all levels within the firm, provide additional job training for colleagues and ensure that teams are resourced appropriately. We look forward to reporting on our progress in these areas.
Our view is that an environment where colleagues genuinely care about each other, where we try to put ourselves in others’ shoes and where each person feels they belong produces the best outcomes for clients. We believe this is both the right thing to do and the most effective way to serve our clients.
For the fourth year in a row, we earned a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, the national benchmark for corporate policies and practices to support LGBTQ+ colleagues. We conducted our biannual pay equity review, administered by a third party, which determined there were no discrepancies. We implemented an “interviewing without bias” training for colleagues across the firm. And we developed a “high-performing teams” training, which we are beginning to roll out across offices —— based on research that demonstrates the value of “psychological safety” for innovation and performance.
Under the leadership of Mia Contreras, we continued our focus on sourcing the best and brightest talent, interviewing at a number of top universities and colleges, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities. We also worked with community partners, such as Invest in Girls, Modern Guild, Association of Latino Professionals For America, The Mom Project, Hiring Our Heroes, the Ron Brown Scholar Program, Girls Are INvestors (GAIN), YearUp and Black Women in Asset Management.
We believe in transparency. We believe data can help us understand where we are succeeding and where we are not. Ultimately, however, it is not about points on a graph; it is about people —— the people who care about each other and who make up the culture that supports our clients.
Colleague of the Year
Uche Ogbuokiri
Internal Audit Manager
Uche’s colleagues noted:
“Uche demonstrates incredible leadership skills and excels at bringing people together.”
“Uche embodies the Brown Advisory culture and is a driver of performance and connectedness here at the firm.”
“Uche’s outstanding work ethic and consistent willingness to go above and beyond are invaluable to Brown Advisory. One of the most remarkable aspects of Uche’s character is her ability to remain positive and motivate others; even during the most challenging projects, she consistently brings innovative ideas to the table and is always willing to adapt and learn new skills to support the team’s success. Moreover, Uche’s commitment to the company’s values and her genuine care for the well-being of others foster an inclusive and supportive work environment that enhances our team’s dynamic and the firm as a whole.”
“Uche always goes above and beyond to help colleagues. She goes out of her way to help new colleagues acclimate and feel welcome at the firm.”
“Uche is a true leader. She has started firmwide initiatives and has also served as an outstanding mentor for individual colleagues. Her mentorship is invaluable. She is always willing to help and encourages colleagues to tap into their full potential.”
“Uche is a thinker.”
In Memoriam
Elizabeth Sherring
Beth was a beloved colleague on our RFP team. Her passion for her teammates was infectious —— she was quick to support the people around her, and she treated each day as a celebration.
William and Samantha Starling
Will was a wonderful Application Support team member, worked well with everyone and greeted each day with contagious positivity. He married Sam in 2022; they were just starting their lives together and looked forward to the promise of a bright future.
Peter G. Mulligan Jr.
Pete Jr. was the cherished son of our recently retired, long-time technology team member Pete Mulligan.
We hope you come away from reading this report with an understanding of the importance we place on thinking and why we believe that taking time to think is the only path to achieve our purpose: To raise the future for our clients, our colleagues and our communities.
Understanding different points of view is central to this aspiration. To that end, we want to hear from you. Please share your feedback, questions, concerns and ideas with us.
Please reach out to your Brown Advisory team or email us at [email protected]. We will carefully read and reflect on your comments.
Thank you in advance for helping us raise the future.
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