Our Team
About Our President & CEO
Marcela Zuchovicki
MARCELA ZUCHOVICKI is a dynamic entrepreneur, business leader, and mentor with a diverse international background. As the founder of Jalima Coffee, Jalima Aranis, and Jalima & Associates, she has leveraged her extensive experience in both large corporations and renowned non-profits to create a suite of businesses dedicated to empowering small and medium-sized enterprises[1].
With a degree in Actuarial Science and fluency in five languages, Zuchovicki brings a unique blend of analytical skills and cultural understanding to her work[1]. Her companies offer comprehensive services including business planning, strategic financial solutions, accounting, bookkeeping, growth strategies, and quality control methodologies[1].
Zuchovicki’s expertise extends beyond her own businesses. She has been an instructor for the Rutgers University Entrepreneurship Pioneers Initiative (EPI) program for over a decade and serves as a business and financial coach for several prestigious institutions, including NJSBDC and Rising Tide Capital[1]. Her client base spans a wide range, including universities, non-profit organizations, Forbes Global 2000 companies, government institutions, and startups[1].
Throughout her career, Zuchovicki has worked with global organizations such as UNICEF, the National Institute for the Indians in Mexico, IBM, and leading universities and museums in Mexico, Europe, and the USA[1][2]. Her international experience and multicultural background have significantly contributed to her global approach to business consulting.
Zuchovicki’s contributions to the business community have been widely recognized. She has received numerous awards, including the Rutgers Entrepreneurship Ellis Still EPI award, Leading Women Entrepreneurs recognition, The Einstein Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year, and the Mentor of the Year Award[1].
In addition to her business ventures, Zuchovicki is actively involved in various professional and community organizations. She serves on the Executive Board of the Market Research Center at Seton Hall University, the Board of the Warren County Senior and Disabilities Services, The Mental Health Board, and acts as a Money Manager for the State of NJ[1].
In 2012, Zuchovicki launched the JALIMA Talent Collaboration Tool, a personality assessment and workshop program designed to help companies create better teams in their workforce[1]. Her academic contributions include publishing several handouts on international relations, communication, and cultural differences among countries during her tenure at AFS Intercultural Programs[1].
Zuchovicki’s commitment to entrepreneurship education and her success in empowering small and medium-sized businesses make her an invaluable asset to the business community. Her journey from EPI alumna to instructor and mentor exemplifies her dedication to fostering entrepreneurial growth and success.
CITATIONS:
Team Jalima Aranis
CFO and Senior Operations Manager
Naresh Krishnani is a seasoned financial professional with over 15 years of experience in financial management, planning, and business strategy. He holds degrees in accounting and management, equipping him with a strong foundation in financial operations and leadership. As the Chief Financial Officer and Senior operations Manager of Jalima & Associates, Naresh oversees financial strategy, budgeting, and decision-making to drive business growth and operational efficiency.
Senior Partner
Suresh Kelappan, a chartered accountant since 1994, with an MBA from Australia , has many years of experience working closely with Chief Executives of large companies. He brings with him rich experience in setting up and running financial systems in large organizations which coupled with his training in management and accounting, gives him a deep insight into systems and processes that drive business.
Client Relations Services
Dinesh Kumar has been with Jalima & Associates since its inception and is the manager of Client Relations for our small to mid sized businesses.
Team Jalima & Associates
CFO and Senior Operations Manager
Naresh Krishnani is a seasoned financial professional with over 15 years of experience in financial management, planning, and business strategy. He holds degrees in accounting and management, equipping him with a strong foundation in financial operations and leadership. As the Chief Financial Officer and Senior operations Manager of Jalima & Associates, Naresh oversees financial strategy, budgeting, and decision-making to drive business growth and operational efficiency.
Senior Manager of Business Solutions
Brenda Sotolongo is a dynamic professional offering over 15 years of diverse experience in operations, business, project, and brand management, administration, consulting, and customer support. Her passion lies in guiding entrepreneurs and start-ups toward success. She leverages her diverse skills to support small and mid-sized businesses in strategic planning and development to meet goals to grow and thrive. As Senior Manager of Business Solutions at Jalima & Associates, she manages both the consulting team and special projects while providing exceptional consulting services.
Senior Graphic Designer
Laura is a seasoned graphic designer with over 25 years of crafting visual design content for established companies in New York and Colombia.
She is an expert in a wide range of brand identity design and digital media marketing, including websites, advertising, and social media campaigns.
VP Special Programs
Maria is a partner with Jalima & Associates. Maria Lampino is a seasoned developer of training and new programs for large companies. Maria has held various positions in strategic planning, training and global account management with International companies. Maria plays a key role in building quality control systems for companies. Her work is focused on public relations, marketing and sales strategies for several industries. She is an Advisor with corporate Boards.
Her educational background includes a MS in Communications and marketing.
Director Business Strategies
Sophia has a Masters Degree in Human Resource Management from Rutgers University. Sophia’s expertise is in program development and management, leadership development, recruitment, training development, performance management, and entrepreneurship. She has worked for Fortune 500 companies helping them develop top talent and large academic institutions to assist entrepreneurs with established businesses to grow their ventures.
Business Etiquette and Image Consultant
Doron has been an active member of the beauty industry for over 25 years of experience as a licensed cosmetologist and make-up artist. Doron also specializes in coaching business professionals on how to best present an image related to their particular industry. He has committed his career to helping business professionals build their self-confidence by teaching them how to look and feel their best while enhancing their health.
Business Solutions Specialist
Michael Keating has 35 years business experience in the energy sector. He retired in 2018 as Senior Vice President of Administration for Suburban Propane, a publicly held company headquartered in Whippany, New Jersey. Prior to entering business, Michael served on active duty with the United States Marine Corps from 1975 to 1979 as a combat engineer officer with the Second Marine Aircraft Wing (New River). He honorably retired from the Reserves in 1990, holding the rank of Major. After he retired from business, he taught business management and leadership development at Warren County Community College as an adjunct professor and was a substitute teacher at West Morris Regional High School. He holds a BS from The Citadel and an MA from Montclair University. Today, he serves Jalima & Associates as a Business Solutions Specialist.
Business Solutions Specialist
Elsie Scalia is a seasoned business professional with 18 years of experience as a real estate broker, bringing a wealth of industry knowledge and entrepreneurial insight. As a former brokerage owner, she has honed her skills in business management, strategic planning, and client relations. Her background extends beyond real estate, encompassing investment experience in the hospitality sector, which provides a unique perspective on diverse business models and market dynamics.
Numbers Speak
The professionals at Jalima Aranis and Jalima & Associates are a group of strategic management professionals in several industries including actuaries, accountants, business development, accounting professionals, Industrial psychologists, and HR experts.
