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Bailard Named San Francisco Chronicle Top Workplace
Independent by design. Empowered by culture.
SAN FRANCISCO – May 12, 2025 – Bailard, an independent wealth and asset management firm, has once again been recognized as one of the San Francisco Chronicle’s Top Workplaces in the Greater Bay Area. Ranked first in the small company category (35-149 employees), this marks Bailard’s second consecutive year on the list—based entirely on employee feedback.
At a time when many financial firms are consolidating, Bailard’s independence continues to set it apart. The firm combines the scale to serve a broad range of clients with the agility and personal touch of a closely connected team. That independence also fuels a workplace culture where employees feel heard, make a difference, and are energized by the work they do.
“Our independence has always been a defining trait of Bailard,” said Sonya Mughal, CFA, CEO of Bailard. “It allows us to be nimble, personal, and direct—whether we’re serving clients or supporting each other as colleagues. We don’t have layers of red tape. We have passion, accountability, and the freedom to do what’s right.”
The award is based on confidential survey results gathered by research partner Energage LLC, which measures key drivers of engaged workplace cultures—such as feeling respected, supported, and empowered.
Rooted in its core values of accountability, compassion, courage, excellence, fairness, and independence, Bailard fosters an environment where employees can bring their best thinking to clients and colleagues alike. With this latest recognition, the firm reinforces its position as a rare combination in financial services: an enduring independent firm with a vibrant, values-led culture.
To learn more about opportunities at Bailard, visit https://bailard.com/careers/.
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About Bailard, Inc.
Founded in 1969, Bailard is an independent, values-driven firm serving individuals, families, and institutions. The firm delivers comprehensive wealth management alongside institutional investment strategies across public and private markets.
Bailard’s wealth management offering includes personalized financial and wealth planning, investment portfolio management, and advanced strategies for special situations. Its asset management capabilities span domestic and international equities, fixed income, sustainable and responsible investing, private real estate, and customized solutions designed to meet a diverse range of client needs.
Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, Bailard is a majority employee-owned, woman-led firm with $6.5 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025. A Certified B Corporation™ and a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Investing, Bailard is proudly independent—built to put clients first, with clear values, extensive experience, and a long-standing commitment to accountability.
About the San Francisco Chronicle Bay Area Top Workplaces
The San Francisco Chronicle Bay Area Top Workplaces is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. The 2025 Top Workplaces award was released in May 2025, with responses 103 companies recognized across small, midsize, and large categories. Bailard ranked #1 out of 57 participants in the small company category (fewer than 149 employees). The 2024 Top Workplaces award was released in August 2024, with 117 companies recognized. Bailard ranked #2 out of 65 small companies. These awards and recognitions do not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients and are not indicative of Bailard’s future performance. There were no fees to enter. There is no guarantee Bailard or any of its strategies will achieve performance or investment objectives. Past performance is no indication of future results. All investments have the risk of loss.
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Bailard Named One of the Top Workplaces in the SF Bay Area
Values-Driven Firm Honored with Multiple Awards During Summer 2024
FOSTER CITY – September 4, 2024 – Bailard, Inc., an independent wealth and asset management firm, is proud to announce its recognition as one of the Bay Area’s 2024 Top Workplaces by the San Francisco Chronicle. The firm was ranked second in its category (for companies with 35-149 employees).
This widely-regarded list is based entirely on employee feedback gathered through a confidential, third-party survey conducted by Energage LLC, a leader in employee engagement technology. The survey uniquely assessed key aspects of the employee experience, including respect, support, grow opportunities, and empowerment.
Bailard’s CEO, Sonya Mughal, CFA, was also honored with the Leadership Award for the company’s category, a testament to her values-driven approach to leading the firm.
“I’m incredibly proud that Bailard has been recognized as a Top Workplace and humbled to receive a leadership award,” said Sonya Mughal, CEO of Bailard. “The trust and mutual respect we’ve cultivated at Bailard are among our greatest strengths. Leading a team that not only strives for excellence but leads with compassion in all that they do is deeply rewarding. Together, we will continue to build on our strong foundation, always with an eye toward upholding our values, supporting one another, and delivering for our clients.”
This latest recognition adds to a series of awards Bailard has received over the summer, underscoring the firm’s achievements in workplace culture and community engagement, as well as wealth and asset management. Recent accolades include:
- San Francisco Business Times’ 2024 Top Bay Area Corporate Philanthropists: Bailard was recognized as one of the Bay Area’s most generous corporate citizens for a fourth consecutive year;
- AdvisorHub’s 2024 Advisors to Watch: Bailard Wealth Management President, Mike Faust, CFA, ranked #6 out of 200 RIAs to Watch for his leadership, professionalism, and ability to scale the wealth management team without compromising service; and
- Worth Top RIAs 2024: Bailard was named to the Leading Advisor program, following a rigorous selection process designed to highlight top registered investment advisors.
These awards reflect Bailard’s long-standing commitment to success, driven by its six core values of accountability, compassion, courage, excellence, fairness, and independence.
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About Bailard, Inc.
Founded in 1969, Bailard is an independent, value-driven wealth and asset management firm serving individuals, families, and institutions alike. Bailard has built a long‐term asset management track record across domestic and international equities, fixed income, and private real estate, as well as robust, in-house sustainable, responsible and impact investing expertise. Through it all, Bailard works with clients to align their financial goals with their values. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area with over $6 billion in assets under management as of 6/30/2024, Bailard is a majority employee-owned and women-led firm, Certified B Corporation™, and a Principles of Responsible Investing signatory.
Past performance is no indication of future results. All investments have the risk of loss. These awards and recognitions do not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients and are not indicative of Bailard’s future performance. There were no fees to enter. Please see important award disclosures for each award, as well as the linked text for additional important information regarding award eligibility and methodologies. The 2024 Top Workplaces is an annual award from the San Francisco Chronicle, released in August 2024, where Bailard ranked #2 out of 105 participants in the small company category (35-149 employees). The Top 100 Bay Area Corporate Philanthropists is an annual award, given by the San Francisco Business Times in July 2024, July 2023, July 2022, and July 2021. AdvisorHub’s RIAs to Watch was given in July 2024. Advisors are ranked on the scope and growth of the practice, as well as professionalism, which includes regulatory record, community service, and team diversity. The Worth Top RIA Firms 2024 was released in May 2024, using a rigorous selection process, including AUM of over $500 million, predominance of high-net-worth clients, and unbiased advice independent from broker-dealers.
Bailard Recognized as a Top Corporate Philanthropist
Bailard today announced its ranking among the San Francisco Business Times’ annual top 100 Bay Area Corporate Philanthropists list, for the fourth year in a row. This year, Bailard earned 71st place, climbing eight spots from its position last year and once again joining esteemed Bay Area companies such as Google, Salesforce, and the San Francisco 49ers.
The Corporate Philanthropy Awards celebrate the Bay Area’s most generous corporate citizens, recognizing companies that give their time, talent, and resources to their communities. The annual list ranks the 100 top corporate philanthropists based on local cash giving and includes for-profit companies and nonprofit healthcare organizations that support Bay Area-based charitable organizations in the counties of San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma. This year’s honorees were recognized at the Corporate Philanthropy Summit on July 25.
“Philanthropy has been integral to Bailard’s identity since its founding,” said Bailard’s Chief Executive Officer, Sonya Mughal. “Recognition as a top Bay Area philanthropist for the fourth consecutive year highlights the team’s commitment to our core values—accountability, courage, excellence, fairness, independence, and most of all, compassion. I am incredibly proud of our team’s dedication to making a meaningful impact in our community and improving the lives of those around us.”
The recognition highlights the efforts of both Bailard, Inc. and the Bailard Foundation. Earlier this month, Bailard proudly announced its Bailard Foundation reached $1 million in grants and donations distributed in its first five years. As of June 30, 2024, the Bailard Foundation has distributed $1,008,037 since its inception in June 2019, with over 90% directly benefitting the local Bay Area community.
The Bailard Foundation focuses on three core areas: affordable housing, homelessness & poverty, and financial literacy. In addition to aiding non-profit organizations selected by the Bailard Foundation Board, the Foundation also offers an employee matching program for charitable endeavors about which Bailard’s employees are passionate. To learn more about the Bailard Foundation, please visit our website here. Dive deeper into Bailard’s dedication to impact here.
On the Foundation board of directors are friends of Bailard—including chairperson Terri Bailard, widow of firm co-founder Tom Bailard—and current employees.
About Bailard, Inc.
Founded in 1969, Bailard is an independent, values-driven wealth and asset management firm serving individuals, families, and institutions alike. Bailard has built a long‐term asset management track record across domestic and international equities, fixed income, and private real estate, as well as robust, in-house sustainable impact investing expertise. Through it all, Bailard works with clients to align their financial goals with their values. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area with $6 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2024, Bailard is a majority employee-owned and women-led firm, Certified B Corporation™, and a Principles of Responsible Investing signatory.
About the SFBT Top Corporate Philanthropists
For 24 years, the San Francisco Business Times has published the Corporate Philanthropists List. The list features 100 top corporate philanthropists in the Bay Area ranked by local cash giving. It includes for-profit companies and nonprofit health care organizations that made contributions to Bay Area-based charitable organizations in the following counties: San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma. The Corporate Philanthropy Awards program was founded in partnership with Northern California Grantmakers. A portion of the proceeds goes to NCG to fund the Corporate Philanthropy Institute, with the mission to educate more companies about effective giving and best philanthropy practices. The aim is to honor those who give the most and in doing so to help raise the bar and inspire more giving. This achievement does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients and is not indicative of Bailard’s future performance. The San Francisco Business Times Top 100 Bay Area Corporate Philanthropists is an annual award, given to Bailard by the San Francisco Business Times in July 2024, July 2023, July 2022, and July 2021. Each year, 100 firms appeared in the San Francisco Business Times list. Bailard ranked #71 in 2024, #79 in 2023; #82 in 2022; and #89 in 2021. There was no fee to enter. Bailard, Inc. received this award; almost all donations from Bailard are given through the Bailard Foundation, except for 4% in 2023; 2% in 2022; and 4% in 2021.
The Bailard Foundation Distributes $1M in its First Five Years
Through the Foundation and volunteer events, Bailard, Inc. continues to prioritize and support community impact
SAN FRANCISCO – July 17, 2024 – Bailard, Inc., an independent wealth and asset management firm in the San Francisco Bay Area, proudly announces that its Bailard Foundation reached $1 million in grants and donations distributed in just its first five years. As of June 30, 2024, the Bailard Foundation has distributed $1,008,037 since its inception in June 2019, over 90% of which has directly benefited the local Bay Area community.
“Reaching the $1 million mark is such a momentous milestone for the Foundation and the firm,” said Sonya Mughal, CEO of Bailard. “Through the Foundation, we’ve been able to make a real impact on the local community through causes that are dear to the hearts of our firm and employees. Bailard, for decades, has been devoted to bettering the community around us and giving back to those less fortunate, and the Foundation serves as a pillar of that commitment. I’m thrilled to see the good that it has already accomplished and look forward to all that it will accomplish in the future.”
The Bailard Foundation focuses on three core areas—affordable housing, homelessness & poverty, and financial literacy— which, to date, the Foundation has given $617,185. Beyond this focus, the Foundation offers an employee charitable matching program and continues to support long-standing community partnerships that pre-date its creation. Bailard also organizes frequent employee volunteer opportunities in the community, a practice that also pre-dates the Foundation’s creation.
Bailard launched the Foundation to formalize the firm’s decades-long dedication to giving back and to correspond with the 50th anniversary of the company’s founding in 2019.
“During my nearly 30 years at Bailard, I’ve seen how important giving back has been to the firm and its employees,” said Kim Aquino, CFP®, a Senior Vice President with Bailard and a member of the Foundation’s board of directors. “Launching the Foundation was such a natural step for Bailard and its values-driven, compassionate culture. Achieving the $1M mark shows how deeply Bailard and our employees care, not just about one another and our clients, but also the greater community. It’s been a real honor to serve on the board and act as a catalyst on behalf of the firm.”
Earlier this year, Bailard, Inc. announced its certification as a B Corporation™. Bailard, Inc. has also been named a Top 100 Corporate Bay Area Corporate Philanthropist by the San Francisco Business Times each of the last four years, from 2021 – 2024.
About Bailard, Inc.
Founded in 1969, Bailard is an independent, value-driven asset and wealth management firm serving individuals, families, and institutions alike. Bailard has built a long-term asset management track record across domestic and international equities, fixed income, and private real estate, as well as robust, in-house sustainable, responsible, and impact investing expertise. Through it all, Bailard works with clients to align their financial goals with their values. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area with over $6.2 billion in assets under management as of 6/30/2024, Bailard is a majority employee-owned and women-led firm, a Certified B Corporation™, and a Principles of Responsible Investing signatory.
On the Foundation board of directors are friends of Bailard—including chairwoman Terri Bailard, widow of firm co-founder Tom Bailard—and current employees.
About the Corporate Philanthropy Awards: For 24 years, the San Francisco Business Times has published the Corporate Philanthropists List. The list features 100 top corporate philanthropists in the Bay Area ranked by local cash giving. It includes for-profit companies and nonprofit health care organizations that made contributions to Bay Area-based charitable organizations in the following counties: San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma. The Corporate Philanthropy Awards program was founded in partnership with Northern California Grantmakers. A portion of the proceeds goes to NCG to fund the Corporate Philanthropy Institute, with the mission to educate more companies about effective giving and best philanthropy practices. The aim is to honor those who give the most and in doing so to help raise the bar and inspire more giving. This achievement does not evaluate the quality of services provided to clients and is not indicative of Bailard’s future performance. The San Francisco Business Times Top 100 Bay Area Corporate Philanthropists is an annual award, given to Bailard, Inc. by the San Francisco Business Times in July 2023, July 2022, and July 2021. Each year, 100 firms appeared in the San Francisco Business Times list. Bailard ranked #79 in 2023; #82 in 2022; and #89 in 2021. The 2024 rankings list has not yet been announced but will be announced by the publication later this month. There was no fee to enter. Bailard, Inc. received this award; almost all donations from Bailard are given through the Bailard Foundation, except for 4% in 2023; 2% in 2022; and 4% in 2021.
All investments have the risk of loss. This is not a recommendation of, or an offer to sell, or solicitation of an offer to buy any particular security, strategy, or investment product.
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