Leslie Dixon

As Dixon prepares to retire as Baird’s Chief Human Resources Officer at the end of 2021, she ranks as one of the top officers in a financial services company that’s grown to about 4,500 employees with 230 locations worldwide. Dixon is credited with helping develop a corporate culture that led Baird to 18 consecutive years as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For.

“People say, ‘why did you stay so long?’” Dixon said of her 34 years at Baird. “It’s really been so much fun, frankly, and there are so many good people at Baird and the leadership at Baird has kept me there. They’re amazing. It’s gone really fast.”

To read more about Dixon’s journey, check out her feature in the Milwaukee Business Journal.

Read the full article

Image: Kenny Yoo

 

 

Rodney Jones-Tyson, Global Chief Human Resources Officer 

A member of the Baird team for more than 20 years, Rodney Jones-Tyson is the first gay person as well as the first African American to serve on Baird’s Executive Committee.

In early 2022, Rodney was named Baird’s Global Chief Human Resources Officer. In this position, he directs more than 100 individuals in offices in the U.S., Europe and Asia, overseeing Human Resources, Corporate Real Estate and Workplace Solutions, Corporate Travel and assisting with the administration of the Baird Foundation.

Rodney recently spoke with WorldatWork’s Evolve magazine about his unique career journey. In the article “Career Twists and Turns,” he reflects on his time in investment banking, his role as Chief Risk Officer, his leadership of Baird’s inclusion and diversity programs and his transition to Global Chief Human Resources Officer:

“I have a full seat at that table, and that is exciting. I used to be a consumer of HR services. Now, I get to lead the team that delivers expert HR services and solutions. The experience of living in both worlds gives me a unique lens.”

Read the Full WorldatWork Article

Related Content:

How Baird’s new CHRO connects demographics and the Great Resignation – HR Executive, May 4, 2022 (free registration required)

A Year Like No Other – Chicago Booth Magazine, January 25, 2021

Baird: Committed to inclusion & diversity – MMAC Commerce Magazine, October 11, 2022

“I chose financial services because I wanted to make a connection with people. After I graduated college, I defined success for myself. And success was bringing value to other people’s lives. And I felt financial services best fit that need. I get to connect with a big, vast group of different people and it brings joy to my day to day life.

As I work with a number of associates who have been in the industry some time, I bring fresh concepts to the table. And I’m able to relate to a lot of our next generation clients, in a way that our financial advisors aren’t able to. My opinion matters. No thoughts, no idea is below anyone. Everyone at the company from the CEO to my direct associates is willing to hear what I have to say.”

Michael,
Client Specialist

As Baird celebrates a century of successful financial partnerships, we know it’s not the number of years that matters. It’s the tradition of excellence that started in 1919 with Robert W. Baird and his guiding principle: Clients come first. It’s the understanding that everything we’ve accomplished since then has been because of those clients. It’s the belief that the best is yet to come, and it’s the certainty that the value of our experiences and achievements will always be measured in terms of what we do for our clients.

Learn more in the Storied History section of our 100th anniversary website here.

Baird marked its first 100 years in style, with a three-day gathering that drew more than 7,000 associates, retirees and guests from locations throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia to our Milwaukee headquarters from June 12-14. They were first treated to our 100th Anniversary Welcome Celebration, which showcased the firm’s history with interactive stations, entertainment and a volunteer activity benefitting the United Way. In addition to informative sessions and symposiums, the festivities featured the Baird Annual Meeting for associates and their guests and the 100th Anniversary Finale Fest at the Henry Maier Festival Park, including multiple private concerts with nationally known music artists. President and CEO, Steve Booth, closed the Annual Meeting with a toast to the future of the firm and message to associates: “Thank you for everything you do and will continue to do as we embark on the second hundred years of our firm’s remarkable journey.”

We all look forward to what’s to come. We invite you to consider starting your journey at Baird.

Learn More

A Great Work Culture Requires Great People

As detailed in Baird’s culture statements, our firm seeks out individuals who value honesty, integrity, teamwork and excellent client outcomes. Often referenced by Paul Purcell, Baird’s late Chairman, when meeting with job applicants, the firm’s hiring strategy is based on the ‘No Asshole Rule.’

Baird’s ’No Asshole Rule’ is something Paul was deeply committed to, as hiring the right people is crucial to creating a great work culture. Paul and Leslie Dixon, former Chief Human Resources Officer, were featured in a WorksSpan magazine article titled: “No Assholes Allowed.” Paul shared why the rule is so important to Baird’s culture:

“When you’re happy, you’re more productive,” Purcell said. “When you don’t feel good, you don’t get as much done. It all goes to human psyche to being respected, trusted and valued.”

Paul and Leslie also emphasized the importance of the rule in the hiring process.

“When we interview, we really put people through the wringer,” Purcell said. “And the more senior the position, the deeper the checking. We have people who ask us, ‘How do I get through all of this?’ But they do.”

Dixon added: “If you’re interviewing someone and they’re using language like ‘I this’ and ‘I that’ instead of ‘we,’ that’s a sign of a difference in values.”

While associates have occasionally questioned the use of the term “asshole,” Paul emphasizes that the rule clearly demonstrates how important a culture of respect is to Baird. “The number one reason people join [Baird] is culture, and the ‘No Asshole Rule’ is part of it and highly differentiable.”

Read on to hear from associates who commented on the ‘No Asshole Rule’ in Baird’s Great Place to Work® survey:

• “A distinguishing characteristic about Baird is its emphasis/insistence on teamwork. The ‘No Asshole Rule’ is a clear warning to all associates not to engage in selfish, self-centered conduct. The civility among colleagues stands out versus other financial services/investment banking firms.”
• “Our ‘No Asshole Rule!’ It is the truth. Kindness and respect will get you much further at Baird than anything else. Jerks do not last long around here.”
• “Baird has a very unique and strong culture, which embraces their employees and clients. Their ‘No A**hole Rule’ on hiring is a serious commitment to keep the culture of good people working together as a team.”
• “I really like Baird’s ‘No Asshole Rule.’ It helps to develop a culture of kindness and respect in the workplace. We feel that we were each carefully chosen, not only based on our education and occupational skills, but also on our personalities and how we get along with one another.”

Baird is committed to diversity for our clients, for Baird associates and for the communities in which we live and work. This commitment is in keeping with our culture of integrity, our genuine concern for clients and fellow associates and our respect for the individual.

Our commitment to diversity includes providing opportunities for every individual to advance professionally and personally regardless of gender, race, color, age, religious affiliation, nationality, sexual orientation, physical ability or gender identity, which are just some of the differences that make each of us unique.

Responsibility for creating a diverse organization begins with our executive management team and continues throughout our entire organization. Baird recognizes that a diverse team allows us to better understand our clients’ and associates’ needs and enhances our ability to develop creative solutions for how those needs can best be met. We have created an environment where differences are understood, respected and valued and where diversity unites, rather than divides, us.

Baird has long been active in helping individuals of all backgrounds achieve their personal best. For our associates, this includes initiatives in work/life balance, leadership training, recruitment, scholarships, internships, mentoring and networking. Baird and our associates also support a wide variety of community initiatives aimed at promoting diversity. Our community involvement allows us to play an active role in shaping the communities in which we live and work today and want to serve in the future.

Baird’s culture, our ability to attract, retain and develop the best talent, and our passion for achieving superior results for our clients and associates are all crucial to our success. These are among the many reasons why we are committed to the continued pursuit of a culture of diversity that focuses on our clients, our associates and the communities we serve.

“You aren’t treated like an intern as much as another valuable team member with something important to contribute.”
Brian, Software Developer Intern

“The projects I’ve been able to work on gave me the opportunity to learn about leadership and the importance of attitude.”
Amanda, Business Analyst Intern

“Interns get to solve real problems alongside full-time employees with years of experience in the industry.”
Hunter, IT Operations Intern

“They continuously provide videos, books, live presentations and countless other resources to educate me. My career is being rocketed forward with the help of Baird.”
Miguel, Software Developer Intern