When she graduated from Harvard University in 1967, Marie Langlois was one of just 11 women in a class of 700 students. And what’s more, the class was only the university’s third graduating class with women.
She was a pioneer then, and 30 years later she continues to forge ahead professionally and philanthropically. The managing director of Washington Trust Investors in Providence climbed a ladder of success in an industry where women didn’t when she began.
In 1988, Langlois took her experience from Fleet Bank and Industrial National Investments and co-founded Phoenix Investments (with Gerald Fogarty), which was acquired by The Washington Trust Co. in 2000. As a partner in the firm, she has helped grow the company to more than $1 billion in assets under management.
Galan Daukas, head of the company’s wealth management division, said he nominated Langlois for the Providence Business News Business Women’s Awards.
“She has an exceptional intellect, a capacity to pick stocks and analyze companies, and she always puts her clients first,” Daukas said.
“But it isn’t just her professional reputation that makes her worthy of recognition; she’s also a sweet and cordial person who’s very charitable. She’s been on boards of so many organizations. She’s an asset to the state of Rhode Island.”
Langlois list of accomplishments and involvements is a long one and includes being vice chancellor of Brown University, director of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, director of The Miriam Hospital and trustee for Salve Regina University.
“Marie gets into an organization and really helps them to manage themselves effectively. And she’s so genuine. Her small voice belies the power of her intellect,” Daukas said.
Washington Trust is a small company, and Langlois’ group has 11 employees. To her, that is the point.
“There are many large firms in Rhode Island. But I saw a niche for clients who want personal service as well as competitive returns,” she said.
Daukas said that, while many of Langlois clients are high-profile individuals or Hollywood celebs, she has a reputation for being discreet, down-to-earth and approachable. She also works with numerous organizations that operate on endowment funds teaching them how to be more efficient. Though she has received numerous awards – including the Governor’s Award for service to Rhode Island – Langlois said she had no idea Daukas nominated her to the Business Women and was surprised and humbled by the honor.
“When I first started in this industry, people weren’t sure about dealing with a woman,” Langlois said. But once they got to know me and realized that I know what I’m talking about, they respected me. Times have changed, and today there are many women at Harvard University and in the industry that make a considerable contribution. If I had it to do over, I’d do it all again. I’ve always enjoyed my work, and I still do.” •
