LPGA Tour star is proving to be the ultimate global advocate
As an LPGA Tour player and DOW Global Ambassador, Maria Fassi has seen firsthand the value of inclusivity and the importance of creating a more sustainable future.
Born in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico to Argentinian parents, Fassi was raised to appreciate different cultures and their customs. This interest only grew as she was introduced to sports.
Of all the sports Fassi played growing up, golf won out. In fact, she fell in love with the game the moment she took her first swing. That love quickly turned into daily lessons and a personal desire to be the best that she can be. Taking inspiration from her idol Lorena Ochoa, Fassi aspired to be someone the people of Mexico took pride in.
This dream drove Fassi as she began competing in junior golf tournaments across the United States. She quickly racked up several top-10 finishes, which garnered the interest of the University of Arkansas. Knowing that her close friend and fellow Mexican Gaby Lopez had attended the school and loved it, Fassi became a Razorback in 2015 and went on to have a successful collegiate career that included winning the 2019 NCAA Individual National Championship.
After capping off her senior season with that monumental victory, Fassi took the leap to the LPGA Tour. In just five years on tour, she has already accumulated several top-10 finishes and even had the opportunity to represent Mexico at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Though her golfing career is only just getting started, Fassi has relished the opportunity to see other parts of the world and to meet those from different backgrounds.
“I think golf is a great avenue for us to travel and learn about so many different cultures,” Fassi explained. “We have an extremely diverse group of people who play on tour here, and I really enjoy learning about their customs and traditions. I think because I’m so diverse in a way is why I’m so interested in learning about different things and doing as the locals do. It’s just fun to learn and discover where our roots are and where we come from.”
This passion for connecting with others is just one of the reasons Dow joined forces with the LPGA Tour star. Additionally, Dow loved Fassi’s vision for the game and how women should be a driving force in it. That’s why in 2019 at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational, Dow chose Fassi to speak at SOAR – an immersive inclusion leadership event for customers, suppliers, employees and community leaders. The discussion focused on the importance of broader female representation in sports.
In addition to advocating for female representation, Fassi has taken an active role in encouraging those with disabilities to get involved with sports through her Fassi’s Friends Foundation. Again, this aligned perfectly with Dow and the company’s vision for a more inclusive world.
Dow has certainly taken the lead globally in putting people first, but as a business built on materials science, the company hasn’t let up on its effort to build a more sustainable future through its products and services. As an ambassador for the company, Fassi has taken the opportunity to further invest in the sustainability movement.
“I think for me, sustainability is longevity,” Fassi shared. “It goes both ways in how you care for the environment and how you care for your body. To me, they go hand-in-hand and are crucial to creating a better life now and in the future.”
Thanks to Dow, Fassi has learned how to play a bigger role on and off the golf course. She’s also uncovered several misconceptions she had about things like the use of plastic.
Playing on the LPGA Tour has afforded Fassi the chance to see how tournaments make their own impact on this important cause.
“We have several events where it’s a big focus,” Fassi explained. “For example, there are no more plastic water bottles at the AIG Women’s Open. Then obviously Dow and the LPGA Tour are really taking the initiative to not only make the Great Lakes Bay Invitational more sustainable, but the tour overall.”
Fassi has also gotten the chance to see how countries compare in this effort.
“Certain countries are way ahead in terms of recycling and doing things like limiting the number of cars allowed per day to help keep our print on the environment a bit lower, but overall, I think that everybody in their own way is starting to take this seriously and making positive changes to take care of our planet,” Fassi said.
There are countless things that people, partners and tournaments can do to help make an impact, but based on her own experience, Fassi places the most value in simply educating those around the world on sustainability.
“The biggest thing for me since I’ve partnered with Dow honestly has just been learning,” Fassi said. “Once you are knowledgeable about something, it’s easier for you to make a change and create a new habit.”
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