Stefania Aulicino is The Entrepreneur's Advocate.  

Stefania discovered the challenges of financing a growth company first hand when, right out of college, she began her career as an entrepreneur. She then devoted herself to learning the business of finance from the inside out. After 15 years on Wall Street as both a commercial and investment banker, Stefania founded CapitalLinkUSA in 1988, building upon her experience as Vice President of Corporate Lending at Citicorp, Vice President and head of the Credit Department at Chemical Bank and Vice President of Corporate Finance at Bear Stearns & Co. Inc. She uses her “insider” knowledge to be the entrepreneur’s advocate. Stefania's book, "Cash and Control - You Can Have Both," was published in 2005.

Stefania guides CapitalLinkUSA in its unique position to fill the void that exists between a Business Visionary and the funding community.

As an entrepreneur herself, she has designed the innovative educational approach that distinguishes CapitalLinkUSA in the industry. As the innovator of the "Cash and Control System™ ", Stefania blends her own entrepreneurial experience with the experience and network she acquired on Wall Street. As a result, CapitalLinkUSA client companies are effectively positioned to achieve and finance their full growth and profit potential. Stefania leverages her working relationships with over 6000 institutional and private investors established over her 30 years of building value for growing businesses. In addition, she developed the Brain TrustTM Link that provides access to proven professionals seeking growing companies in need of talent. Brain TrustTM Link managers are motivated to take below market salaries in exchange for the opportunity to share in the value they help create (not a company's current value). CapitalLinkUSA's integration of educational tools with business, capital and human resources creates innovative and stunning results.

Nationally recognized as an expert in growth and funding strategies for privately-held owner-managed companies, Stefania has addressed such diverse forums as The Inc. 500 Conference, The Council of Growing Companies Annual Conference, Young Entrepreneurs' Organization, Young Presidents' Organization, TEC/Vistage and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She is a frequently quoted source in the business press including Inc. Magazine, University of Chicago Press, The Boston Globe, Crain's, Winning Strategies and The Financial Times of London. Stefania is featured in Inc. Magazine's video entitled "Raising Capital: How to Finance Your Business" sharing her unique educational approach and has spoken at Inc.’s Growing the Company Conferences for over 10 years. Stefania created, and for 20 years directed, a program on entrepreneurial development at the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business, where she had received her MBA in 1979.

CapitalLinkUSA is neither a venture capital firm, an investment bank, nor a recruiting firm. Yet it does raise capital, maps out corporate growth goals, and/or introduces critical talent required to round out your visionary team, depending on your company's desires. Unlike a venture capital firm, CapitalLinkUSA is not limited to just one capital source - it offers "one stop shopping" for thousands of investment funds; unlike an investment bank, CapitalLinkUSA does not accept the market price - it helps you increase your valuation; unlike an executive search firm, CapitalLinkUSA does not just find managers you might be looking for - it locates talent you didn't even know was available to help you implement your growth strategy.

Stefania is also an active community player.

Stefania is a member of the Auxiliary Board of the Chicago Architecture Foundation (past Chair of the Silent Auction Fund Raiser for its annual Gala) and an active supporter of Planned Parenthood. As a director of the Board of Hostelling International - American Youth Hostels (HI-AYH) and chair of both its Fund Raising and Programs committees, Stefania was instrumental in opening the 4th largest Hostel facility on the planet in down-town Chicago, a $14 million project, designed to promote the organization's mission of world peace through direct and personal experience between world travelers and the local community.Stefania and her husband are sail boat enthusiasts who race Rhodes 19's, are active Ballroom dancers (including the Argentine Tango), enjoy Yoga and travel.