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Sustainability at William Blair

At William Blair, our mission drives everything we do: empower colleagues to deliver client success and engage in our communities. That mission, shaped by our vision and values, powers how we put sustainability to work and build long-term value across our firm. 

Through long-standing relationships, employee-led initiatives, strategic philanthropy, and nonprofit board service, we turn our values into action. Our most recent Sustainability Report highlights how we connect our people, our purpose, and the results we deliver for our clients and communities.

Brent Gledhill
Brent
Brent Gledhill
President and CEO
Brent Gledhill

Beth Satterfield
Chief Operating Officer

Our Values in Action

Across our business, sustainability is reflected in the way we invest in culture and talent, support our communities, consider our environmental impact, uphold responsible business practices, and help clients navigate change. Our Sustainability Report details how we turn our mission into action across William Blair, reflecting our unwavering commitment to responsible growth, meaningful outcomes, and lasting value.

Empowering Our Colleagues

Our colleagues are central to our success. We foster a high-performing, inclusive culture by investing in professional development, well-being, and opportunities for growth. Through these efforts, we aim to create an environment where colleagues can perform at their best for our clients and continue to strengthen the firm.

Engaging in Our Communities

Our commitment to engaging in the communities where we live and work is a part of our firm’s mission. Our philanthropic grants and charitable partnerships are inspired by colleagues through match programs, leadership on nonprofit boards, volunteer engagement, and signature programs such as our Global Community Partners and the Capital Collective.

Managing Our Environmental Impact

Our commitment to environmental sustainability underscores our dedication to enhancing the well-being of our colleagues, clients, and communities. Prioritizing sustainable practices in our business operations and calculating our carbon footprint enables us to be productive in our current environment and lay the foundation for sustainable growth in the future. Read more in our Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures Report.

  • 85%+

    of office space is located in
    green-certified buildings

  • ~50%

    of our partners serve on nonprofit boards

  • 15,000+

    volunteer hours

Responsible Business Practices

Operating with integrity and adhering to ethical values are essential elements of our business model. These standards are infused throughout our firm and serve as the foundation of our emphasis on long-term relationships and stewardship commitments.

Delivering Client Success

Responsible business practices are engrained in our work with clients. We are committed to developing long-term, trusted partnerships with clients and helping them achieve their financial objectives. We proudly serve clients with distinct perspectives and help them meet their goals by creating value across our talented teams, processes, research, and advisory practices.

Our Insights

Discover some of our thought leadership and learn more about our approach to sustainability as a business driver.

  • Venture Philanthropy: A New Era of Innovative Giving

    Venture philanthropy bridges traditional giving and impact investing by combining mission-first intent with greater potential, accountability, engagement, and measurement.

    Read more
  • Shifting Sites of Care: Why Healthcare Delivery Is Moving Beyond the Hospital

    Ryan Daniels, William Blair's group head of healthcare technology and services research, discusses how policy reform, reimbursement changes, technology innovation, and consumer preferences are accelerating a shift in care delivery toward outpatient, virtual, and home‑based settings.

    Listen to the podcast
  • From Sky to Tap: Rainwater Harvesting and Alternative Water Sources

    Water scarcity and contamination are putting one of our most vital resources at risk, resulting in a critical investment opportunity. Innovative solutions offer new paths to water security and resilience.

    Read more
  • How New State Sustainability Laws Are Set to Affect Packaging

    New state Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws are set to cause ripples across the packaging industry.

    Read more
  • Volts and Vaults: Where Industrial Demand Meets Precious Momentum

    Drawing on the powerful forces of AI, electrification, and the energy transition, Alexandra Symeonidi, CFA, explores how evolving supply and demand dynamics across key industrial and precious metals are creating compelling investment opportunities in emerging markets.

    Read more
  • The Great Wealth Transfer: Five Actionable Steps

    With the Great Wealth Transfer on the horizon, there’s no greater moment than the present to take action on your financial future.

    Read more

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For disclosure information, please visit www.williamblair.com/disclosures