Ask Catherine (Auriana) Cadigan ’04, MBA’10 about her time at Fairfield University, and she describes an experience built on curiosity, exploration, and friendships that have endured well beyond graduation.
“I came to Fairfield not really knowing what I wanted to major in or what I wanted to learn about,” she said, “but knowing that Fairfield was a place where I could get that real breadth of knowledge and explore different topics.”
As an undergraduate, she found her academic path majoring in English with a minor in religious studies. Outside of the classroom, she embraced new experiences such as hosting a WVOF campus radio show with her roommate and singing in the chapel choir. “I’m really a lifelong learner,” said the newly appointed president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. “That’s something that I think connects me back to Fairfield and really makes Fairfield dear to me.”
After graduating in 2004, Cadigan began her career in an editorial role at Reed Exhibitions but quickly moved into digital marketing, just as email and social media were beginning to transform the field.
Her commitment to continued growth brought her back to Fairfield for an MBA—an experience that, she said, really solidified her affinity for the University. A highlight of her time in the MBA program and “one of the most fascinating experiences” of her life was a summer trip to Barcelona, during which she visited businesses across industries and saw firsthand how companies operate in the global marketplace.
Cadigan’s career later included more than six years at Campbell Soup Company, where she worked in digital production and operations, often leading teams of employees from across the organization to launch new initiatives. “I love creating something out of nothing,” she said. “Bringing teams of people from different areas of business together to create something brand new—that’s really exciting for me.”
