Meet Our Business Consulting & Financial Advisory Team
Experienced professionals helping businesses navigate financial decisions, organizational challenges, and sustainable growth.
Meet Our Founder & CEO
Marcela Zuchovicki
Marcela Zuchovicki is an entrepreneur, business strategist, and mentor with extensive international experience in business development, financial management, and organizational leadership.
As the founder and CEO of Jalima & Associates, she brings together professionals with complementary expertise to help organizations strengthen operations, navigate change, and pursue sustainable growth.
Her experience includes collaborations with Rutgers University, NJSBDC, and organizations across the corporate, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial sectors.
Beyond Business: Experience, Leadership & Impact
With a background in Actuarial Science and fluency in five languages, Marcela Zuchovicki combines analytical expertise with a deep understanding of people, cultures, and business environments. Her international experience spans corporate organizations, educational institutions, nonprofits, and entrepreneurial ventures across the United States, Latin America, and Europe.
This diverse professional background has shaped her ability to approach business challenges from multiple perspectives, recognizing that every organization has its own goals, operational realities, and opportunities for growth. Her multicultural experience also allows her to connect with entrepreneurs and business leaders from different backgrounds, fostering collaboration and developing strategies that respond to their unique needs.
Throughout her career, Marcela has demonstrated a commitment to connecting people, ideas, and resources, helping organizations navigate complexity while building stronger foundations for long-term success.
Business Leadership & Strategic Expertise
Throughout her career, Marcela has worked with organizations of different sizes and industries, providing expertise in business planning, financial management, organizational development, and strategic growth. Her experience includes collaborations with international organizations, leading corporations, universities, and emerging businesses.
Her approach combines analytical thinking with practical business solutions, helping organizations identify opportunities, strengthen internal processes, and make informed strategic decisions. She understands that sustainable growth requires more than financial performance; it also depends on effective leadership, organizational adaptability, and a clear vision for the future.
By bringing together professionals with complementary expertise, Marcela promotes a collaborative approach to consulting that addresses both immediate business challenges and long-term organizational objectives.
Entrepreneurship, Education & Mentorship
A passionate advocate for entrepreneurship, Marcela has dedicated more than a decade to mentoring business owners and supporting entrepreneurial education through initiatives such as Rutgers University’s Entrepreneurship Pioneers Initiative (EPI) and the New Jersey Small Business Development Centers (NJSBDC).
Her commitment to education extends beyond the classroom, helping entrepreneurs transform ideas into viable businesses while developing the leadership skills and confidence needed for long-term success.
Recognition & Community Involvement
Marcela’s contributions to entrepreneurship, education, and business leadership have earned recognition from professional and community organizations. She has also served in advisory and leadership roles supporting economic development, education, and community advancement.
Her approach reflects a belief that successful businesses are built not only through strong financial and operational foundations, but also through collaboration, adaptability, and a commitment to meaningful growth.
Team Jalima Aranis
Our financial advisory professionals bring expertise in accounting, financial planning, business operations, and strategic financial management to help organizations make informed decisions and build stronger financial foundations.
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.</p>
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
Our multidisciplinary team combines expertise in business strategy, organizational development, branding, leadership, and operational consulting to help businesses navigate challenges, strengthen their competitive position, and pursue sustainable growth.
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.
Brand Strategy & Creative Consultant
Laura Mejía is a brand strategist, creative consultant, and entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience in visual communication, branding, and design.
As the founder of Visual Communication Concepts (VCC Design Studio), she helps entrepreneurs and businesses build strong, recognizable brands through strategic positioning, brand identity development, and digital communication.
Her expertise combines branding, graphic design, and website development with a business-focused approach. As a mentor, she is passionate about helping entrepreneurs strengthen their brand foundations and turn their ideas into sustainable businesses.
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.
Experience That Drives Business Growth
Behind every successful business is a team with the knowledge, experience, and commitment to move it forward.
At Jalima, our multidisciplinary professionals bring together financial expertise, strategic thinking, and practical business solutions to support organizations at every stage of growth.
Let's Build Your Next Chapter Together.
Connect with our team and discover how the right expertise can help your business move forward with confidence.