Baird Advisors' Duane McAllister Honored with Rupple Award

Duane McAllister, Senior Portfolio Manager for Baird Funds, was recognized at Baird’s Annual Meeting with the 2025 Rupple Citizenship Award, which is given each year to the associate who best exemplifies the firm’s commitment to giving back to their community.

Often first in line to support causes important to his teammates, Duane’s passion is expanding opportunities for people with intellectual and physical disabilities. His inspiration is his daughter, Kelly, but his advocacy goes beyond the personal.

An Impassioned Leader

St. Coletta of Wisconsin, Inc. supports people with developmental and other challenges to help them achieve their highest quality of life, personal growth and spiritual awareness. Duane and his wife, Connie, partnered with St. Coletta to raise $2.5 million, within the community, from the Baird Foundation and through Duane’s colleagues at Baird. The McAllisters also donated the land for St. Coletta’s Grace Landing a housing community, which opened in 2021. Today, Grace Landing features a community center and three group homes that provide housing for more than 20 residents.

Friends of Fairview South is a parent-teacher organization that supports Fairview South School in its mission to teach students with significant intellectual disabilities skills which will improve the quality of their lives and enable them to become participating members of their communities. Duane served as president from 2002 to 2010, helping keep the school financially viable and managing operations. In 2018, he facilitated an agreement between the Elmbrook School District and St. Coletta of Wisconsin to lease space for an intergenerational care center at Fairview South. Additionally, Duane is an active supporter of The Ability Center, which provides fitness and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities. Since 2023, he has co-chaired the Ability Center’s annual “UnstoppABLE Cup,” a three-on-three wheelchair basketball tournament that raised nearly $150,000 for its adaptive sports programs.

In the words of Damian Bachman, Founder & Executive Director of The Ability Center: “Duane's daughter had a need that he could have easily fulfilled for her alone. But he knew there were many more families and individuals in his same position, so he sought help, asked the experts, looked for the answers, and proceeded to single handedly solve the problem.”

Mary Ellen Stanek, President of Baird Funds, believes Duane embodies the concept of servant leadership: “He is a visionary who uses his position to raise support and bring awareness for people in need. Duane’s advocacy is incredible, and we are tremendously grateful for the countless contributions he makes to the community.”

Jay Schwister and Warren Pierson, Co-Chief Investment Officers of Baird Advisors, added: “Duane approaches his community service in a humble manner because it is the right thing to do. He doesn’t want to draw attention to his involvement. At work and in the community, Duane is always looking for ways to help others achieve their full potential. He is a shining example of the Baird Way.”