Baird & Warner Appointed Sarah Casalan as COO
The Chicago-based firm has selected the former president of The UPS Store to oversee its daily operational strategy.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in People
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Baird & Warner has named Sarah Casalan as its new chief operating officer. She joins the firm after serving as president of The UPS Store, Inc.
Why it matters
Casalan will be responsible for overseeing operational strategy and implementation throughout the firm. She will collaborate with company leadership to elevate the experience for agents, office leaders, and clients.
The UPS Store, Inc. operates more than 5,500 locations across North America, managed by a network of 3,900 individual franchise owners.
The players
Sarah Casalan
She is the newly appointed chief operating officer at Baird & Warner who previously served as president of The UPS Store, Inc.
Baird & Warner
This Chicago-based real estate firm has maintained business operations for over 170 years.
The UPS Store, Inc.
This major retail shipping and business services company maintains a network of 5,500 locations and 3,900 franchise owners.
The details
In her new capacity at the Chicago headquarters, Casalan is tasked with strengthening the company's business foundation and enhancing support for its agents. The firm plans to continue its long-term efforts to modernize support structures under this new leadership.
Timeline
Baird & Warner has operated for more than 170 years.
Market Landscape
This appointment reflects a broader industry trend where legacy real estate brokerages hire executives from national retail franchises to modernize internal operations. The move positions the firm to leverage external expertise to compete against evolving digital-first market rivals.
The transition to new leadership is intended to improve service levels for agents and their clients across the Chicago area. Customers may eventually experience more streamlined interactions as the firm implements new operational strategies.
The takeaway
Bringing in executive talent from large-scale franchise models suggests a strategic shift toward more standardized, scalable operational practices. This focus on backend efficiency often signals an effort to gain competitive advantages in local housing markets.
Further reading
For more on industry leadership changes, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chicago Agent Magazine.
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