When Erika Greeney's daughter, Addison, was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) just before her eighth birthday, her world turned upside down. B-ALL, a fast-growing and aggressive blood cancer, required immediate and intensive treatment.
Erika, who was eight hours away in St. Lucia at the time the diagnosis came in, rushed back to Minneapolis, arriving at the hospital in the early hours of the morning. Addison was quickly taken into surgery to have a port placed for chemotherapy and blood count checks. “It all happened so fast,” Erika shared with me.
A Mother's Determination
The initial symptoms of Addison's illness were easy to overlook. She experienced stomach pains, fevers, and leg and hip pain—something most of us would attribute to growing pains and growth spurts, However, something felt a bit off. In just one year, she grew nearly 12 inches in height without adding on any weight. She’d experience fevers that would last for a day, that would suddenly disappear.
Then one day while she was staying at her dad’s, she just didn’t start to feel better. And off to the hospital they went. Addison's diagnosis was a devastating shock, but it also marked the beginning of Erika's transformation. As Addison underwent her treatments (which concluded successfully in January 2024), Erika found herself facing a harsh reality: her restaurant management job, with its irregular hours, was incompatible with the demands of Addison's care.
Addison’s father stepped in to help with appointments, but Erika knew she needed a more stable career. She began working at a U.S. Bank branch, appreciating the predictable Monday-to Friday-hours. This career change provided her with the stability she needed and something else to focus on. Plus, it sparked a new passion.
Empowering Women Through Financial Literacy
At U.S. Bank, Erika worked as a client relationship consultant handling credit cards, new account openings, and loans. However, she was drawn to the investment side of banking. Determined to make a difference, Erika began the licensing process to become an investment banker. Today, she works independently with Lakeshore Wealth Management, a part of LPL Financial, as a female-focused financial advisor focused on empowering women through financial literacy.
While talking to other parents during her daughter’s cancer treatments, Erika realized that many women lack the financial awareness and literacy that men often have, putting them at a disadvantage when unexpected events occur. Her mission now is to help women understand and navigate their finances better, preparing them for life's uncertainties.
Erika and I chatted at length about the importance of financial preparedness, especially when facing expensive treatments like cancer. She has seen families lose their homes and deplete their retirement savings to cover medical bills. Erika wants to prevent this by educating women on investment strategies and financial security.
A Passion for Helping Others
Addison's journey and the career change it prompted have given Erika a unique focus and purpose. Her work is now a passion project, driven by the desire to help others achieve financial stability and security. Erika's goal is to ensure that no one else has to go through the financial strain she experienced herself during Addison's treatment.
Addison's diagnosis, although devastating, was caught relatively early, with only 28% of her cells affected, allowing her to start treatment promptly. B-ALL is one of the most common types of childhood cancers, and while Addison showed incredible strength, the emotional toll was significant. Erika discussed the importance of emotional support during such times, noting that Addison's experience was more emotionally challenging than physically painful.
Erika also shared with me Addison’s experience at Camp Breakaway, a program for children with terminal illnesses, which Addison attended and was subsequently featured on WCCO news. This program allows children to experience a week of normalcy, with medical staff on-site to meet their needs. She highly recommends this local nonprofit organization for any child experiencing a terminal illness.
Erika's path from the crisis of her daughter’s illness to both of them coming out stronger on the other side is inspirational, to say the least. In Erika’s case, a crisis opened the door to a career dedicated to empowering others, particularly women, through financial literacy and security. As a fiduciary, Erika acts in her client's best interests, offering support and guidance through life's unpredictable challenges.
If you are interested in learning more about Erika's work or seeking financial advice, you can reach her at Lakeshore Group Wealth Management, broker-dealer LPL Financial, at (612) 584-3322 or by email at egreeney@lakeshoregroupwm.com.