St. Mary's Services announces election of new board members
In the months of December 2016 and January 2017, St. Mary's Services has been fortunate enough to gain two well-versed individuals onto the board of trustees - Brett Locascio, director of learning and development at KPMG LLP, and Shawn McKenna, lawyer at the Law Offices of Miriam Cooper. Although having quite a difference in time involved with St. Mary's Services, both have shown to be assets to the agency, and we are certain they will help St. Mary's continue to flourish.
The Locascio/Gonzalez family has been a part of the St. Mary's Family for the past few years. Brett and his husband, Marco, came to St. Mary's Services in 2012 when they were looking to expand their family through adoption. Alongside being a St. Mary's Adoptive Family, the Locascio/Gonzalez family has been deeply involved with our fundraising efforts. Brett and Marco have been attending St. Mary's annual fall fundraising gala, as well as donating a weekend at their house in Michigan to be included in the live auction.
In September 2014, they were blessed with the placement of twins. Having been very different in the past, now Brett's hobbies primarily consist of Paw Patrol and playing with cars and trains with his kids (which he would trade for nothing else). Mr. Locascio and his family reside in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago. Brett is St. Mary's Services newest board member, being elected on Jan. 18, 2017.
Locascio works at KPMG LLP, a global professional services firm, and is part of the executive team that leads their learning and development group for the US Advisory practice; which consists of over 9,000 US employees. Mr. Locascio attended the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana where he obtained his bachelor's degree in finance with a concentration in accounting. Mr. Locascio also spent time abroad attending the University of Melbourne where he studied finance and worked for one of Australia's professional football teams.
Mr. Locascio is excited to give back to St. Mary's as much as they have given to him and his family. Although nothing can compare to the two most precious gifts of Noah and Luke (and the extended birth family that came with them), he hopes to contribute as much as he can so others can be as blessed as he and his family.
Before his interest in being a part of the St. Mary's board of trustees, Shawn McKenna (along with colleagues at his firm) became a part of the St. Mary's Family and Community of Supporters by offering a sponsorship for our most recent fundraising gala, "Making Miracles Happen," which occurred on Nov. 5, 2016 at Café La Cave. Mr. McKenna was so moved and intrigued about the services St. Mary's provides to women and teens, that he displayed interest in becoming a board member before he even left the gala! Having less than two months under his belt as a St. Mary's Board Trustee, he has proven that his qualities as a lawyer and compassion as an advocate will be advantageous for the progress of the agency.
Shawn McKenna is a lawyer at the Law Office of Miriam Cooper, and practices exclusively in the area of family law. His practice is focused in all aspects of domestic-relations litigation and settlement.
Mr. McKenna is a zealous advocate on behalf of his clients, during their cases and in a variety of settings, including at pretrial conferences, hearings, trials, settlement negotiations, and depositions. Mr. McKenna attended Western Michigan University, where he received his bachelor's degree. He later attended law school at Wayne State University. Subsequently, he was admitted to practice law in Illinois; at which point, Mr. McKenna completed a graduate program and obtained a master of law degree (an LL.M.) in family law from Chicago-Kent College of Law.
He credits Miriam Cooper's extensive service on the board of education for High School District 214 and the joy that that service has brought her as his inspiration to find a way to give back to the community. Mr. McKenna would like to thank Joanne Bratta, the Executive Director, for introducing him to St. Mary's Services; the former president, Jill Harris; and the rest of the St. Mary's board of trustees for the opportunity and invitation to serve.
To learn more about St. Mary's Services, please visit our website at StMaryServices.com.