Most Unfriendly Place I Ever Worked - Anonymous employee Brown Advisory Employee Review

2.0
Jun 14, 2015
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Beautiful office location with picturesque views Excellent, affordable, comprehensive benefits package Autonomy to create work without being micromanaged Tuition reimbursement program (for some) Great flexibility to take requested time off Work with people of high intellect, pedigree and drive Outreach to millennials to develop and support next generation is good No dress code - females allowed to dress provocatively in thigh high dresses, backs out and cleavage showing

Cons

'Good ole boy' network in full effect with older whites males and little diversity of women in leadership with voices Nepotism at its finest - husband/wife, in-laws and brother/sisters working in same dept. Hiring process is very loose with no structure to hire fairly based on ability to do the job Hiring mostly a process of identifying someone who attended the university with best friend, brother, cousin, or has lots of money to invest, and you're a shoe-in for getting hired. Morale is really low for those there for years (deadwood); feel devalued (most have no college degree to compete with new employees with multiple degrees) No accountability for people developmental training for managers of people, though sorely needed. DO NOT BOTHER TO APPLY- African American women - it is not a good cultural fit - never feel welcomed. Black men being hired rule the day & will do well because they are fawned over by white women bc of bald heads, professional dress, deep voices and nice looks. HR dept - no voice or seat at the table in helping to make PEOPLE MGMT decisions.. HR staff constantly "leaked" matters of privacy within the firm. Racial undertones in comments which mgmt never wanted to acknowledge. "We left the meeting and I drove down Liberty Rd to return of the office". "You did?" "Yes, it was still daylight." Shouting matches, door slammings and expletives are too commonplace. Just another day of "business as usual" at Brown Investment Advisory & Trust

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5.0
Jun 4, 2026
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Pros

Work independently on daily tasks, no micromanagement.

Cons

On call most days and nights

2.0
Jun 15, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Strong firm name and resume credential. Exposure to senior leadership and complex institutional environment. Competitive benefits.

Cons

Cons: Management culture is deeply political and hierarchical. Information is hoarded rather than shared freely, which makes it difficult to do your job well. EA roles in particular carry significant scope that is not reflected in compensation or recognition. Diversity exists on paper but the lived experience for women of color in support roles is isolating and this is not incidental. It reflects broader industry dynamics that disproportionately impact people of color in roles where you have visibility without power. Expect to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics with little institutional support. Advice to Job Seekers: Do your research before accepting and I don’t mean the firm, I mean the team. The Brown Advisory brand is strong, but your actual experience will be determined by who you report to and the culture of the specific group you land in. The variability between teams is significant enough that the difference between a good experience and a miserable one comes down to who your manager is and what they’ve built around them. Seek out people who have worked in that specific environment before you sign anything. A referral or insider context isn’t just helpful here, it’s almost necessary.

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