Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

"Each and every one of us must consider what it feels like to be in other people’s shoes and ask:
How can we make others comfortable working in the Brown Advisory environment? 
How can we make sure everyone is treated fairly and with respect?"
   —  MIKE HANKIN, CEO

 

Investing in Human Capital

Investing in our people is the right thing to do. Bringing together a variety of experiences, backgrounds and thinking is essential to serving our clients and fulfilling our mission to make a material and positive difference in their lives.

Simply put, we cannot provide the first-rate performance, advice, and service that our clients deserve without a long-term commitment to investing in our colleagues. A critical piece of this investment is our belief in creating an inclusive environment that helps our colleagues contribute at the highest level and reach their potential.
 

 

Our Pillars

Alice Paik, Chief Strategic Advisory Officer.

We cannot be an innovative firm without a pronounced commitment to each other and to investing in our colleagues.

  • The Principal and Partner promotion process considers a candidate’s leadership in advancing the firm's DNA.
  • All of our business areas incorporate a commitment to inclusion as part of their strategic plans.
  • For the fourth year in a row, we earned a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index, the U.S. benchmark for corporate policies and practices to support LGBTQ+ colleagues.
  • We allocate a portion of our charitable giving to organizations that support economic advancement in our communities.
road

John Mai, Technical Help Desk Senior Manager, Tiffany Ernest, Director of Infrastructure, and Isaac Land, Desktop Support & Site Installation Support Analyst.

We must be extremely intentional about our recruiting and retention strategies. We source diverse candidates through Colleague Resource Group networks, relationships with HBCUs, mentoring programs, and academic and professional organizations for underrepresented minorities.

  • Our mentoring programs and pairings are dedicated to ensuring the success of our underrepresented colleagues and advocating for their growth and development.
  • Under the leadership of Mia Contreras, director of diversity, equity and inclusion, recruiting, and learning and development, our recruiting team searches for exceptional colleagues as we strive to be the employer of choice for candidates, including those from underrepresented groups.

Mia Contreras, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Recruiting and Learning and Development.

Through periodic surveys, focus groups and audits, we obtain data about the colleague experience at Brown Advisory—and provide quantitative measures to accompany our objective to continually consider what it feels like to be in someone else’s shoes.

  • We monitor hiring, retention, and promotions to maintain our focus on building a diverse and inclusive community.
  • We conduct anonymous biannual surveys to hear directly from colleagues and to understand how the firm can help them be successful.
  • Comprehensive pay audits are conducted biannually to ensure appropriate compensation for all colleagues.
colleagues outside

Brown Advisory colleagues brainstorm during a strategy session.

We place enormous value on curiosity and continuous learning. To live up to our responsibilities to our colleagues as well as to members of our communities, we must strive to understand and reflect on our respective experiences.

  • Our "cultural conversations" help to foster dialogue around colleagues' respective experiences.
  • Cultural and heritage celebrations invite us to learn about each other and share meaningful traditions.
  • Colleague Resource Groups host book clubs that use the power of books to build community and create opportunities to share diverse perspectives.

 

 

 

Colleague Resource Group Leaders

Colleagues participate in various CRG events across offices.
 

Colleague Resource Groups

Our voluntary, colleague-led Colleague Resource Groups support our colleague experience by providing opportunities for community, connection and shared learning. 

The CRGs actively partner with a wide variety of community organizations. These partnerships serve as important tools for expanding the firm's network and broadening the aperture for our recruiting efforts. Our seven CRGs support colleagues and allies who identify as:

  • Asian and Pacific Islander
  • Black and African American
  • Hispanic and Latinx
  • LGBTQ+
  • Military and First Responders
  • Parents and Caregivers
  • Women

Our work to create an environment of genuine belonging—where our colleagues feel supported in realizing their full potential and our clients receive the highest level of performance, advice, and service—will be a process of continual growth. In that respect, we want to hear your feedback, questions, concerns and ideas.

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Our DNA

Brown Advisory's DNA is not one thing. It is the culture created by our 850+ colleagues working together to raise the future. 
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Join Our team

Without a doubt, our most valuable asset is our people. Our colleagues think, create and perform to deliver a differentiated and successful experience for our clients. 
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