Baird Names Christa Graverson Chief Compliance Officer
MILWAUKEE, January 10, 2022 –Baird today announced that Christa Graverson has been promoted to Chief Compliance Officer effective January 1. Graverson, who most recently was Deputy Chief Compliance Officer, succeeds Jeffry Freiburger, who retired on December 31 after more than 28 years at the employee-owned international financial services firm.
Graverson joined Baird in 2005 and has risen through the ranks within Baird’s Compliance Department. Her roles have included Compliance Officer, Senior Compliance Officer, Compliance Policy & Communication manager, Director of Regulation & Policy, Strategic Change Manager and Director of Compliance Process & Analytics. She was promoted to Deputy Chief Compliance Officer in 2020. Graverson holds a BS degree in Accounting from DePaul University, a Master’s degree in English from Mount Mary University, and is a Prosci Certified Change Management Practitioner. Graverson sits on the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Sales Representative Item Writing and Content Review Committee and is a member of TEMPO, the largest professional women’s group in Wisconsin.
Freiburger joined Baird in 1993 and has 40 years of experience in the financial services industry. In addition to leading Baird’s Compliance department, he has served on several committees and councils for the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) and FINRA. Additionally, Freiburger has been the executive sponsor for Baird’s veterans associate resource group since its inception, is board chair for the Better Business Bureau Serving Wisconsin and is actively involved with several other nonprofit organizations.
“Christa’s broad experience makes her a perfect fit for Chief Compliance Officer and illustrates the value of Baird’s robust efforts to develop our talent,” said Paul Schultz, Baird General Counsel. “Jeff’s thoughtful leadership in developing the department’s people, technologies and capabilities was forward-thinking and positioned Baird’s Compliance as an industry leader. We wish him all the best and know we are well positioned with Christa’s leadership to carry on the legacy he built.”
About Baird
Putting clients first since 1919, Baird is an employee-owned, international wealth management, asset management, investment banking/capital markets, and private equity firm with offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. Baird has approximately 4,600 associates serving the needs of individual, corporate, institutional and municipal clients and more than $385 billion in client assets as of June 30, 2021. Committed to being a great workplace, Baird ranked No. 32 on the 2021 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list – its 18th consecutive year on the list. Baird is the marketing name of Baird Financial Group. Baird’s principal operating subsidiaries are Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated and Baird Trust Company in the United States and Robert W. Baird Group Ltd. in Europe. Baird also has an operating subsidiary in Asia supporting Baird’s investment banking and private equity operations. For more information, please visit Baird’s website at www.rwbaird.com.