A life well invested: Mary Ellen Stanek honored for leadership, service and impact

Marquette alumna Mary Ellen Stanek (Arts, '78) was recently honored with the prestigious lifetime achievement award from the Museum of American Finance in New York City.

Stanek, founder and chief investment officer emeritus of Baird Advisors and president of Baird Funds, was lauded for building a team that grew funds from just $18 million in 2000 to more than $190 billion today.

"Mary Ellen embodies all of the attributes we emphasize for our Marquette graduates," said Marquette President Kimo Ah Yun. "She is a servant leader at heart, she prioritizes family above all, and she is a remarkable finance professional. On behalf of the Marquette community, we are proud to congratulate Mary Ellen for this incredible honor."

Stanek was introduced at the event by Cardinal Timothy Dolan who described her as "a cherished friend, an accomplished financial genius and a luminary in the financial arena."

While honored by these accolades, it was the three roles Cardinal Dolan led with - "a great wife, a mom and grandma" - that meant the most to Stanek.

"I don't define myself by that job or that title," she says. "It is really family, faith, community, the team and what I can do for others."

Dolan's friendship with Stanek began when he invited Mary Ellen and her husband, Scott, to chair a campaign for the Catholic Church when he first arrived in southeastern Wisconsin as Archbishop. The Staneks helped raise over $90 million - $30 million over the campaign goal - during a particularly challenging time for the church.

"There would not be a cause in the Wisconsin area that would not praise the name of our awardee," Dolan said, while presenting the award.

Stanek's Marquette education helped launch her career

Long before she became a financial investment manager, Stanek's journey was shaped on the campus of Marquette University, where she said she first developed her sense of purpose.

"Marquette is such a special part of my story," she says. "I certainly did not appreciate it when I was 18 years old as much as I do today. The Jesuits believe that you are being educated not so much for what that degree will do for your life, but what you can do with it in service to others for the greater glory of God. That truly gave me the basis for how I wanted to live my life."

As a freshman, she met her husband, Scott, and the couple has been married for nearly 48 years. Mary Ellen graduated from the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences in 1978; Scott in 1977, followed by his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1982. All three of their children graduated from Marquette.

"It all came together for me in college. Scott and I literally have grown up together and we were able to grow in our faith together as well. My family is the love of my life. They ground me and support me, and they provide perspective and balance."

Stanek has served in numerous volunteer leadership roles for Marquette, including chairing the Board of Trustees. She and Scott recently served as national co-chairs for the university's historic fundraising campaign, Time to Rise. They are among Marquette University's most loyal donors, making their first gift in 1982, following Scott's graduation from Marquette's School of Dentistry. Since then, they have given for more than four decades consecutively.

"Mary Ellen continues to inspire our Marquette community as a model of a Marquette educated servant-leader," said Vice President for University Advancement Tim McMahon. "Her leadership is wholehearted, purpose-driven and always grounded by her steadfast commitment to help others."

Lessons in leadership

Growing up as the third of six children who all attended Catholic schools, Stanek credits her family upbringing and her faith with her resilience, and she joked about gaining lessons in negotiating as a young child. "There was a strong sense of faith in our household growing up."

When describing her lessons in leadership, Stanek began by saying, "Character is right at the core" and she emphasized the ability to be humble and have a strong sense of awareness. "You have to be open to growth and to other people's opinions and points of view," she says. "I credit Marquette for that in a lot of ways."

Stanek, who began her career in 1979 as an analyst for First Wisconsin Trust Company, was honored for pioneering the practical use of duration in the management of bond portfolios. She created the foundation and process that her team successfully implemented for more than 40 years.

"What we do is noble," she says. "We are in service to others by helping them achieve their financial goals."

The recent honor is one of many accolades Stanek has received. She was named Morningstar's Outstanding Portfolio Manager in 2022 and was named to Barron's list of the "100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance." She was also recently named to P&I's list of the "Most Influential Women in Institutional Investing."

When reflecting on what the award means personally, Stanek pointed to the importance of serving others, having a fully integrated life and focusing on what matters most. "It is about living a life that is worth living along with your professional roles and achievements," she says. "At the end of the day, that's what I'm trying to accomplish."

"Mary Ellen is an extraordinary example for what it means to Be The Difference," President Ah Yun said. "Her greatest investment extends far beyond markets and into the lives she continues to lift."