Mona Sarkar, JD

As I started the year 2016, I was the National Director of a leading bank’s family office and a part of their private wealth management leadership team- a very successful career by industry standards. I oversaw a vibrant team of successful individuals and had over 600 clients. However, something was missing. You see, I had lost my mother very suddenly to pancreatic cancer at the end of 2015. What I learned most during that journey is that the most important thing is meaningful relationships ~ not 600 business relationships. As Robert Frost wrote, "I decided to take the road less traveled.” Today my business is grounded in having less than 75 high-net worth clients that I can come beside through all stages of their lives. And as Frost stated “And that has made all the difference”.

Experience and Expertise

Mona joined Baird in 2016 with more than 20 years of experience helping businesses and high-net-worth individuals address their important tax and financial planning concerns. She has broad expertise in succession planning, investment management, retirement planning and trust administration, and believes that a holistic approach to wealth management ~ working in concert with a client’s existing team of attorneys and advisors is the best way to meet their financial goals.

Education and Professional Designations, Organizations and Awards

Mona graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Master of Taxation from the University of Akron College of Business and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron School of Law. She holds her FINRA Series 7 and 66 and insurance licenses. She is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and Akron Bar Association. Mona was bestowed with the prestigious Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Akron School of Law, the Frank L. Simonetti Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Akron, was a three-time recipient of FirstMerit Bank’s Excellence Award and was awarded the prestigious “Chairman’s Award- Banker of the Year” in 2013. She has served as the Chair for both the American Heart Association Go Red event and Project Grad. She was named one of the 2016 Women of Professional Excellence in the Women’s Network. She has also been a featured speaker for the annual Ohio State Bar Association on the topic of Financial Planning and as a Panel Speaker for the University of Akron on the topic of Emotional Intelligence. Mona has been recognized by Baird since 2017 for the Private Wealth Management (PWM) Executive Council Award. 

Family and Community

Mona serves on The University of Akron Foundation Board, the School of Law Advancement Board, the College of Business Board and Akron Roundtable. Mona is a graduate of Leadership Akron Class 28 and currently serves as Class President. Mona is also a 2019 graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy. In addition, Mona served on the Summa Health System Executive Board, The American Red Cross Board, Stan Hywet Advisory Council, Summit County Historical Society, Women’s Leadership Council of the United Way, the capital campaign committee for Archbishop Hoban, the healthcare committee for the Boy Scouts of America and Akron Child Guidance and Family Solutions. She lives in Copley, Ohio and has three adult children. Activities she enjoys include biking, hiking, traveling and book club.

While Baird does not offer tax or legal advice, our Financial Advisors regularly work with clients’ attorneys and tax professionals to help ensure that all phases of wealth management are addressed. Mona Sarkar is not a practicing attorney.