Mary Ellen Stanek, CFA, Arts ’78, received the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Society Milwaukee Lifetime Achievement Award Oct. 7, 2026. She accepted the award during an event honoring her contributions to the investment profession in E. J. and Margaret O’Brien Hall, home of Marquette’s College of Business Administration.
The event welcomed colleagues, professional connections and Marquette Business faculty and staff to recognize Stanek’s industry impact. Attendees enjoyed a networking reception followed by a fireside chat where Stanek shared memories and takeaways from her professional journey.
“Mary Ellen has helped set the standard for our industry through disciplined investing, an unwavering commitment to clients and a belief that exceptional results start with exceptional people,” says Jay Schwister, CFA, Bus Ad ‘84, managing director, co‑chief investment officer, and research director at Baird Advisors. “CFA Society Milwaukee’s Lifetime Achievement Award is a fitting tribute to her investment leadership and the enduring influence she has had on how we build teams, develop talent and earn investors’ trust.”
Stanek currently serves as managing director at Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated (Baird), founder and chief investment officer emeritus of Baird Advisors and president of Baird Funds. She also serves as an emerita trustee of Marquette University. The fourth recipient of this award, Stanek joins an esteemed group of previous honorees, including Dan Fuss, CFA, CAIA, Paul Purcell and Ted Kellner, CFA.
Throughout her career, Stanek has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication and integrity, embodying the values of CFA Institute and CFA Society Milwaukee. Beyond her professional accomplishments, including building a team that grew funds from just $18 million to more than $190 billion, she has remained committed to supporting and giving back to the Greater Milwaukee community.
“Mary Ellen’s contributions extend far beyond her expertise in fixed income,” says Alice Ambrowiak, CFA, CPA, senior vice president at Baird Advisors. “She has built exceptional teams, mentored generations of investment professionals and shown what it means to lead with integrity and a deep commitment to clients. This award is a well-deserved recognition, and those of us fortunate enough to work alongside her see her legacy in the people she inspires every day.”
As a proud Marquette alumna, Stanek continues to exemplify the University’s core values of excellence, faith, leadership, and service through her professional achievements and commitment to others.
About the CFA Society of Milwaukee Lifetime Achievement Award
The CFA Society Milwaukee Lifetime Achievement Award was created to recognize the lifelong talents and achievement of a CFA institute member, who has through a career dedicated to the investment profession been a living example of leadership, hard work, success and integrity, and who embodies the values of CFA Institute, CFA Society Milwaukee, and its members and affiliates. It also recognizes someone who has strong ties to the local community and has over that lifetime lent ongoing leadership and support to the Greater Milwaukee area and the local investment profession.
