DYNAMIC ROCKFORD EXPERIENCE LEADS ALUMNA TO EMPOWER WOMEN TO TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR FINANCES

Although Mary Ann Cascio Laudicina ’91 was born and raised in Rockford, she chose to attend Rockford University for more reasons than the simple fact that it was located in her hometown.

Budget-conscious, Laudicina figured she could save money by working and living at home while pursuing her bachelor’s degree. But the ultimate push for her to enroll at Rockford was when she attended a presentation during high school in which she learned about the college’s study abroad opportunity at Regent's College in London. From that moment on, she knew where she wanted to be.

At Rockford, Laudicina majored in business with an emphasis in finance. During her semester abroad, she took only 13 credits so that she would have time to travel. She toured London, explored castles throughout England, saw many musicals and theater productions – including the Phantom of the Opera in Scotland – and much more.

The defining point of the trip, though, was the opportunity it afforded Laudicina to meet students from all around the world and learn about their cultures, languages, and perspectives. “You’re just a better person after that experience, because you’re more accepting of others who think differently than you or have a different background,” she said. “I’ll never forget it.”

Now Laudicina applies the lessons she learned abroad to her career, currently as a financial advisor associate at the Baird office in Rockford.

“I think that affects your career and life in general just to be more accepting of people and open-minded and not judgmental,” she said.

Laudicina is also passionate about empowering women to take an interest in or control of their finances. She pointed out that according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 34 percent of financial advisors are women. Laudicina hopes to see an uptick in that number. She likens it to her preference for female doctors, as they seem to understand her better and have had similar experiences. “I feel like I can make more of an impact in my role as a female advisor to help women, and I’m very passionate about that – helping women be involved in their finances and take responsibility and charge if necessary,” she said.

Laudicina added that throughout her 30 years in the financial industry, she’s often seen where the male in a relationship has more communication with the financial advisor. And because men have a shorter life expectancy than women, she’s frequently met with grieving women who come to see her after their spouse passes, not knowing anything about their financial situation.

“I want to be the advisor that encourages them to be involved before all that happens,” Laudicina said. That drive for providing encouragement stemmed from Laudicina’s experience with one of her former professors, Jeff Fahrenwald. She recalled being fairly reserved in class except for one day when she decided to contribute to a discussion. When she did, Fahrenwald said, “Mary Ann, you need to speak up more, because you have a lot of value to add.”

“He really inspired me to speak up and gave me the courage to do it,” Laudicina said. Now she uses that voice every day, encouraging other women to use theirs and take charge of their finances.