BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Brown Advisory

BY GEORGE STEWART

There is one word the Brown Advisory Delaware office embraces: Community. As a Delaware native himself, Porter Schutt, partner and head of the Delaware office, lives by it and made sure it was the emphasis when they opened ten years ago. “We built our business by supporting the leaders of nonprofits in our community,” Porter says. “Creating real impact for the communities in which Brown Advisory colleagues live and work has been an essential part of Brown Advisory’s DNA since its beginnings. Giving back is our office credo. It’s more than a motto. It’s woven into the fabric of our culture,” he added.

Brown Advisory, a Baltimore-founded independent investment management and strategic advisory firm, centers its business around the notion of ‘thoughtful investing,’ an approach that builds trust and provides its clients with confidence that their capital is being invested capably and with integrity. The firm ensures all 16 offices operate with that same principle in mind while positively impacting the communities in which they are based. “That’s why we make it our mission to host a different Delaware nonprofit organization each year at our annual Oyster Roast,” says Porter. “That’s just one way we can help provide an organization with broader exposure, introducing them to a wider audience, as our clients/guests are from all three counties in Delaware,” he added.

Reflecting on the growth of the Delaware office, which started with just two employees and is now 20, Porter explains that the Delaware team follows the ‘acorn to oak’ philosophy. “Twothirds of our colleagues here are under 40. We want our people to make our company and Delaware their forever home -- to establish roots, both personally and professionally. Being part of investing in the community and contributing directly to the future of where they work and live is the essence of the roots of the oak. That’s why we ask every team member to sit on at least one board.” Porter continues, “I was born here, and am happy my career path led me back home. It’s important to me that each Delaware colleague feels the same sense of belonging in this office. It takes an investment on their part to be active and integrated in the greater community. I’m proud to say, each has fully leaned-in.”

“Employees are attracted to the Delaware office because of our unique personality here. But we also have the strength of a global firm behind us, supporting us and providing expertise and reach—to our colleagues and even more so, to the clients we serve. So, we bring an amazing global network to bear for every client situation, providing excellence in service, advice, and investment performance," Porter explained. "We want to work with anyone who wants to see communities in Delaware thrive. So, we seek out relationships with changemakers, whether they are organizations or people,” Porter added.

“Our unmatched blend of experienced investors, seasoned client service colleagues and thoughtful strategic advisors is potent and leads to unique solutions for our clients. We’ve found that when our clients are successful the communities in which they live and work benefit in turn. Thus, further supporting our philosophy that being present, and contributory, leads to better outcomes. It’s truly what everyone here at Brown Advisory strives for.”

George Stewart is a Baltimore-based messaging specialist at Brown Advisory.