Catherine is president of CASCO Financial Group in Phoenix, Arizona. She founded CASCO Financial Group in 1991 out of frustration with limited resources to help individuals and families who are not wealthy, as well as the emphasis on sales of products over solutions to problems in traditional financial planning programs. She created the company to offer strategies independent of any product manufacturers or sales quotas. The practice focuses on helping people create the financial strength necessary to achieve their dreams. Catherine holds the designations of Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Accredited Domestic Partner Advisor. She also holds the designation of Certified Retirement Counselor (CRC) and Certified Estate Planner (CEP), Accredited Domestic Partner Advisor (ADPA) and Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF)
Leadership
Catherine’s innovation and leadership have resulted in numerous professional acknowledgements. Her supervision of other planning practices was recognized with the Top Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction award. She was honored as Financial Advisor of the Year and was the recipient of the Veteran of the Year Award from Women in Insurance and Financial Services. Catherine was chosen Insurance Professional of the Year by the local chapter of the National Association of Insurance Women. Other honors: finalist for the Anthem Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award, the Image Award, Finalist for the Annual Athena Award and National Bank of Arizona Women’s Financial Group Woman of the Year nominee. She is a recipient of the Outstanding Women in Business award.
Community Service
Catherine was raised by a single mom who was only 31 when Catherine’s dad died. Her mother’s expectation was to be a full time wife and mother; she had no education or training to do anything else. Catherine’s mom went on to own her own business, raised her two daughters, and became and remains a role model and inspiration for Catherine. Watching her mom instilled in her a passion to teach women and do what she can to empower them when it comes to business, leadership and finance.
In 1988 Catherine began offering workshops called Smart Money for Women through Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department. Those classes have subsequently been sponsored by a number of organizations, both public and private, giving women an opportunity to learn to control their financial destiny. Another, called My Spouse Always Handled the Money gave comfort and skills to those who may be handling financial affairs for the first time under stressful circumstances such as divorce or widowhood.
She is a frequent presenter at conferences and called upon by media to discuss financial topics, especially those that impact women and families.
These experiences led her to the YWCA and its emphasis on empowering women through financial education. In 2008 she was part of the initial group of presenters of the first financial literacy program, Wi$e Up, offered through YWCA and has been an ongoing supporter, both in presenting and curriculum development, including workshops on wage negotiation and other life skills. She has been an active participant in the Council on Aging and supporter of the Senior Multicultural Center in Glendale.
The involvement with the YWCA led to serving on the Board of Directors, participating in all events and committees. She served for 6 years, including 3 years as Board Chair.
Other community service includes active participation through board, committee or volunteer service for, among others, Youth for Life, One Community, Citizens Committee on the Future of Phoenix Transportation committee, Local First Arizona, and Take the Lead Women.