MEET MORE OF OUR 2024 WOMEN OF DISTINCTION
Jayne Hladio calls her approach to leadership the “art of advocacy.” That means consistently showing up for your team, and the people you serve, in both “expected and unexpected” ways, to build long-term trust and success.
Hladio’s “person-first” method has guided her through a dynamic career spanning 35 years. She has held leadership positions in banks across the Midwest, spanning multiple departments and culminating in her current position as president of private wealth at Associated Bank, which she has held since 2023. In her role, she oversees the bank’s wealth management, private banking, financial planning, trust and investment services and more.
“If you put your heart and soul into what you do, you’ll get so much out of it.”
Hladio approaches multi-generational wealth management in a holistic way, considering the importance of empathy, anticipating clients’ needs, and staying ahead of industry trends. “We’re thinking about the phases of personal and business life cycles,” she says. “Wealth wellness is something that everyone deserves, and it’s our ‘true north.’ We believe that it’s our responsibility.”
Hladio credits her team at Associated Bank with helping her achieve success in the new role. “This team inspires me every day to help us define what potential looks like next, and then go and do it.”
Q&A
What kind of legacy do you want for your career?
I never think of leaving a legacy as leaving something behind. I think about legacy in terms of how you believe in your people – from a potential and an aspiration standpoint, and then whether you set them up to have the potential to change lives positively.
It goes way beyond the role. You can be put in an executive role, and that’s fine, but what really is your goal? Is your goal to have a role? Or Is your goal to influence lives beyond what you thought you could? That’s what I love doing. It goes beyond a specific role. You know what you put into it, you’re going to get out. And I just think you put your heart and soul into it, you wind up getting so much more out that you didn’t, didn’t even expect. And it’s not monetary-based. It’s just intrinsic fulfillment on hopefully a job well done along the way.
How would you advise women aspiring to reach executive roles in wealth management?
My advice is to establish a broad foundation first. Wealth management involves a full suite of solutions, so exposing yourself to opportunities in commercial lending, consumer lending, and wealth management itself is crucial.
Leverage your strengths, such as empathy and compassion, and stay ahead of trends to differentiate yourself. This industry is becoming more and more about consumer behavior and aligning with your client’s values far more at times than providing specific advice.
