Economist Sara Walker joins BMO Wealth Management
Respected investment strategist is excited for new challenge
Sara Walker, widely known in Wisconsin as an investment strategist and chief economist for Associated BancCorp, has left Associated after more than 20 years to join BMO Wealth Management.
Walker has been appointed senior strategist and regional director of investments for BMO Wealth Management. Walker, based in Milwaukee, will work closely with local leaders on investment strategy, BMO said Wednesday.
“Sara is known throughout the Milwaukee area for her leadership skills and her investment strategy expertise, and we’re thrilled to have her join BMO,” Stephen Johnson, regional president of the Northern states for BMO Wealth Management, said in a statement.
“Her active role in the community, as well as her reputation as a prominent industry leader, will add significantly to the strength of our local team.”
BMO said Walker will spearhead its wealth and investment strategies for Wisconsin, Minnesota and northwest Illinois.
She will lead an experienced team of portfolio managers in the delivery of custom investments for high-networth individuals, families and organizations, the company said.
In an interview, Walker said she had been looking for a new challenge after two decades with Associated Bank.
“I wanted to start to stretch myself, and I wanted to stay in Milwaukee and I wanted to work for a company that has a commitment to Milwaukee, and this opportunity came around,” Walker said.
Walker is recognized in the community for being able to translate complicated financial terms into plain English for consumers, and that role will continue, she said.
“My heart breaks when I hear of people who feel they just can’t understand the economy or the markets and they’re afraid to ask,” she said. “I think, ‘Let me try to be of some help to you because you shouldn’t feel fearful of this.’ ”
Michael Stritch, chief investment officer for BMO Wealth Management, said BMO is “excited to have an individual with Sara’s vast experience in all aspects of investments serve as a senior strategist and trusted adviser to our clients.”
BMO Wealth Management has more than 140 offices across 16 states and offices in Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore.
As of Jan. 31, BMO Wealth Management had assets under management of $49 billion and assets under administration of $80 billion.
Walker, a chartered financial analyst, holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, where she double-majored in finance and economics and graduated magna cum laude.
She started her career with Milwaukee’s M&I Bank, which was acquired by BMO Financial Group in 2011.
Walker serves on the boards of Secure-Futures, Tempo Milwaukee and the CFA Society of Milwaukee.
Additionally, she serves on the Milwaukee Public Museum Endowment Committee and the Human Resources Committee for Lad Lake Milwaukee.