Check Out Elise Liegel’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elise Liegel.

Hi Elise, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
From a young age, my parents always encouraged me to work hard and get involved in everything and anything possible. My dad is a business owner and he and my mom raised me to be a determined, hardworking, and respected individual. Considering my parents are those things, it was tough at times but easy to model after them! Through high school, I was a golfer and track athlete while sitting on committees for clubs like FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), and participating in the Spain exchange program, all while working for Culvers. The same thing in college, I worked hard to double major in real estate and marketing at the University of Marquette. I worked two full-time jobs and was a full-time student participating in clubs and alumni events. At a round table real estate event, I met the director of real estate for Baird.

I was intrigued by the company and the team, so for the following two years, I studied and worked hard to get an internship with that department and company. Through my mentor in the business school, I was able to meet with my future boss and get the internship of my dreams! Following graduation, I started full time and I couldn’t be happier!! I get to travel and work with all kinds of departments! All of this is owed to my parents for encouraging me and helping me get to where I am today.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was smooth in the sense that my parents helped me get to college, but there were definitely some challenges as well. I come from a small town, and for some reason, a lot of people in my life seem to doubt me and tell me I can’t accomplish my goals.

Maybe that made me work harder, but because of that, I seem to always come out on the successful side of each challenge thrown my way! When someone tells me I can’t do something, it makes me want to accomplish it even more! Other than that, basic challenges arise like finding time for personal life and over-committing at times.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I work for Baird’s Real Estate and Workplace Solutions department, and am a transaction manager! There are four teams in our department: finance and lease administration, workplace solutions, project management, and transaction management. My team works with each business unit of Baird to make real estate decisions based on branch needs. Sometimes that means we have to expand, which entails touring new options in the respective city with our local team. Then the lease negotiation begins, with the sole purpose of making the best decision for the firm and that branch! Once that has concluded, we then hand it off to other teams in our department!

Baird is known for our ‘No Asshole Rule’ which is one of the key components I remember learning about my freshman year at Marquette. Our entire company focuses on having the highest morals and doing what is best for our clients. Always putting the client’s need before our own. If you ask anyone at Baird, they know this rule! Which is definitely what sets us apart from other firms. I’m also most proud of how caring and kind of a culture we have. No matter what is going on, anyone will drop everything to help out where needed, We suffered two losses in the last year, but coworkers in the firm were there to help with anything we needed! It truly was heartwarming.

So maybe we end by discussing what matters most to you and why?
At the end of the day, as long as I’m making the people around me proud, then I am happy. Moreover, if I can share my passion with others then I’d say I’ve lived an exceptional life. I love what I do, and who I work with, and couldn’t be happier!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rwbaird.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elise-liegel-520856155/