New roles for Lucy Baird and Laura Ellis underscore independent brokerage’s commitment to family ownership and future-facing stewardship
Baird & Warner, Chicagoland’s largest independent and locally operated real estate brokerage, today announced key leadership appointments that reinforce its commitment to stewardship and multigenerational ownership. The company has named Lucy Baird as chief stewardship officer and vice chair of the board and elevated Laura Ellis to chief revenue officer. The appointments reflect Baird & Warner’s continued focus on independence and leadership continuity as it extends into the sixth generation of Baird family ownership.
“In contrast to Wall Street-backed firms, our independence allows us to make decisions based on what is best for our agents and their clients,” said Steve Baird, president and CEO of Baird & Warner. “We remain committed to providing a model that supports long-term success, not short-term gains. We are not thinking in terms of quarters, but generations. Our goal is to ensure the business is strong and well-governed, not just today, but long into the future.”
Baird emphasized the company’s ownership structure remains unchanged and firmly in family hands, with a continued commitment to independence in an industry increasingly influenced by consolidation among large, publicly traded firms.
“Stewardship and good governance are at the core of Baird & Warner’s culture and success,” said Baird. I’m incredibly proud, both professionally and personally, to watch my daughter Lucy grow into her new position. At the same time, Laura Ellis’ new role will further strengthen our integrated approach to real estate services, which remains a key differentiator. Now more than ever, the values of independence, accessibility of leadership and doing the right thing are necessary in our industry. These new roles and the people filling them not only exemplify those values, but they also apply them in ways that are relevant to the challenges agents and brokerages are facing today.”
Lucy Baird has been actively involved in the company for 10 years through her work as Baird & Warner historian and leading Good Will Works, the firm’s philanthropic arm, where she has been instrumental in overseeing charitable giving as well as volunteer opportunities and partnerships with Habitat for Humanity Chicago, Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance, Spanish Coalition for Housing and YWCA. Her appointment to the board and the added responsibility as chief stewardship officer underscore a governance strategy to sustain Baird & Warner’s independence and family-owned business model.
“I feel a deep responsibility to honor the legacy my family has built over more than 170 years, and stepping up to the board and this new title is a natural progression from my work at the helm of our charitable and volunteer initiatives,” said Lucy Baird. “This company has always been guided by doing what is right for our people, our clients and our communities, and the creation of a chief stewardship officer further formalizes a commitment to those guiding principles. It’s a privilege for me to carry those values forward and ensure we remain a fiercely independent and locally owned organization.”
In addition to Baird’s appointment, Laura Ellis has been promoted from chief strategy officer and president of residential sales to chief revenue officer, expanding her leadership across all sales-related business lines – including brokerage, mortgage and title – to further advance Baird & Warner’s fully integrated model. Ellis joined Baird & Warner in 1998 and has held a range of leadership roles across the organization, playing a central role in driving residential sales growth along with operational alignment across business units. In her expanded role, she will oversee revenue generation and integration of Baird & Warner’s “one-stop shop” approach to real estate.
“One of the things that makes Baird & Warner unique is how intentionally we bring all aspects of the transaction together to support both our agents and their clients,” said Ellis. “I’m excited to expand that work across every part of the business, strengthening collaboration between teams and continuing to build a more seamless and supportive experience that helps our agents succeed. For some, that means having access to tools that make their jobs easier and set them up to expand their business, while for others it’s knowing leadership has their backs so they can focus on serving their clients.”
The company continues to invest in agent-focused technology and training to support productivity and long-term growth. Recent initiatives include Remy, an AI-enabled agent assistant, and a customized version of Rejig, an artificial intelligence-powered marketing automation platform that helps agents create and manage social media content across multiple platforms.
About Baird & Warner Real Estate, Inc.:
Established in 1855, family-owned Baird & Warner is Chicagoland’s largest independent real estate services company. The Baird & Warner brand has been synonymous with making real estate easier through experience, innovation and integrity for more than 170 years. Steve Baird, the firm’s fifth-generation owner, has been consistently recognized among the industry’s most influential leaders. Baird & Warner is a 10-time Chicago Tribune Top Workplace award winner, and with almost 2,700 broker associates and staff in 30 offices and comprehensive mortgage, title, insurance and relocation services, it ranks among the nation’s top real estate firms. Learn more at BairdWarner.com.
Lucy Baird: Lucy Baird, sixth-generation family member of Baird & Warner, has been appointed chief stewardship officer and vice chair of the board, reinforcing the company’s commitment to multigenerational ownership. (Credit Baird & Warner)
Laura Ellis: Laura Ellis has been promoted to chief revenue officer at Baird & Warner, expanding her leadership across brokerage, mortgage and title to further advance the firm’s integrated real estate model. (Credit Baird & Warner)