Lifework Leadership
Class of 2027

Alina provides executives, entrepreneurs, individuals, families, and foundations with comprehensive investment solutions through a disciplined, holistic approach. She harnesses the collective strength of her team and the global resources of Morgan Stanley to deliver powerful, sophisticated wealth planning strategies for her clients. By thoughtfully understanding each client’s goals and values, Alina develops tailored financial plans that align purpose with performance to help achieve meaningful outcomes.

Committed to advancing community leadership and philanthropy, Alina serves as a coach for this year’s Lifework Leadership program and as an Ambassador for StrikeForce 421, a Women’s Giving Circle. She is also a member of the Circle of Wise Women for Junior Achievement of South Florida, supporting its mission to empower youth through financial literacy and entrepreneurship. She previously served as Chairwoman of the Board for the SSL Foundation, whose mission is to empower women and children to become resilient leaders.

When she is not participating in community initiatives, Alina enjoys cultural arts, fishing, and spending time outdoors with her husband, Ilyas.

I am a third generation Floridian, married to my high school sweetheart, Jenna, a proud father to a 4 1/2 year old daughter, and a graduate from the University of Miami - Go Canes!

Professionally I am Certified Financial Planner & Financial Advisor on the One Cornerstone Group at Morgan Stanley.

Outside of my career in the financial services I have a passion for overseas missions work, hiking up mountains, fishing, and taking the path less traveled.

I serve on the Board of the National Christian Foundation in South Florida and also King’s Wings - a local non profit that supports ministries serving in the Caribbean via small aircraft aviation & pastoral training in Peru.

Clemens Soares is a Christian, wife, mother of two, attorney, entrepreneur, and educator, who is passionate about helping people discover their strengths, lead with purpose, and make a meaningful impact in their families, careers, and communities.

As a trial and immigration attorney, Clemens has built her career around advocacy, communication, problem-solving, and helping people navigate complex, life-changing circumstances. She also teaches law and American government to high school students, inspiring young people to think critically, understand their rights and responsibilities, and recognize their potential to lead and serve others.

Clemens believes leadership is not simply about a position or title - it is about character, influence, service, and the choices we make every day. Her Christian faith shapes her commitment to serving others and living with purpose.

Cristian Acero serves as Director of Development & Construction for AutoNation’s Southeast region, leading complex automotive real estate and construction projects from planning and design through permitting, budgeting, construction, and delivery.

Outside of work, Cristian enjoys cycling, endurance challenges, leadership, and continuous learning. Family is a major priority in his life. He is married to Leah and is the proud father of two daughters.

Derek is a 2025–26 alumnus of Lifework Leadership and is excited to return as a coach. He is President of Heritage Sporting Club, a 2,300-acre private recreational club in Colorado. Derek also serves as a Major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, where he is an instructor pilot on the B-52 bomber with more than 13 years of service. He trained as a mechanical engineer and has built several businesses, and he cares most about helping leaders bring their faith into their work. Above all, Derek is a disciple of Christ and attends Grace Church in Miami Shores.

A sixth-generation Florida native, Elizabeth is deeply committed to investing in her community, both literally and figuratively. She has led Sterling Wealth Advisors for 29 years and still loves the work God has given her, with a focus on applying biblical principles to finance. Her favorite role, though, is being mom to the firm's namesake, her grown son, Sterling, who now serves as an advisor with SWA from the mountains of North Carolina. At age five, he asked whether he'd be collecting rent for using his name, an early sign that financial savvy runs in the family.

Laura Vale is a Florida-licensed real estate broker specializing in South Florida's luxury market. After more than seven years building and running LV International Realty, a boutique luxury brokerage, she has since moved her license to Remax Preferred bringing her established client base and expertise to a broader platform.

Laura focuses on $1M+ properties across Miami-Dade and Palm Beach County, with deep expertise in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Sunny Isles Beach, and Boca Raton — including standout submarkets like the Estates at Acqualina and Brickell. She occasionally handles transactions in Central Florida as well.

Fluent in English, Portuguese, French, and Spanish, Laura draws on her Brazilian roots to serve a diverse international clientele, with a particular connection to Brazilian buyers and investors. Her guiding philosophy is simple: "Your trust. Your home. My purpose."

Outside of real estate, Laura's life blends South Florida culture, a love of international travel, and family. She's passionate about the finer points of etiquette and hospitality — the kind of care that shows up in how she treats every client relationship.

Lauren Shippy is the founder of StoryWork and creator of Identity-Based Strategy. Through consulting, speaking, and writing, she has spent her career helping founders and nonprofits turn who they are into stories and strategies that move people to act. Lauren is a wife and mom of 2, and lives in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

LULRICK BALZORA, PhD has been an author, military chaplain, Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist, teacher, academic dean, and minister. He also retired as a decorated member of the U.S. Navy, having served 25-years of active and reserve service. His interests cover theories from the social and behavioral sciences as they relate to social suffering. Lulrick currently oversees Koinonia Church in Panama and chairs the board of directors of The Bougainvilla House, a nonprofit organization that provides counseling, therapy, and individualized treatment for children, adolescents, and young adults facing behavioral health and substance use challenges. He also serves as vice president of HeartHandsandFeet.org, which supports missions in Panama, France, and Haiti, and as president of Conference Innovations, which coordinates conference programming.

Mike grew up in the suburbs of Buffalo, NY (or as he likes to call it, 'practice Canada'). Growing up and throughout high school, he had a creative bent that led him to graphic design and advertising/marketing. He moved to Florida in the late 90s and pursued a degree in design, married his college sweetheart, and then worked in Miami at an ad agency for a few years with clients like the Miami HEAT and other companies. Around the time of expecting their first kid, Mike wanted to do something beyond helping sell entertainment, and he made the move in-house to work with a local church. From designer to manager to Communications Director, the next 20+ years shaped his growth and leadership as he stewarded the church's multiple initiatives, campuses, ministries, messages, and communication challenges, bringing a level of intentionality and creativity throughout. Currently, he leverages that experience to serve as the 'Director of Digital Discipleship Systems' as he looks to connect the church's systems, data, and teams — so every person always has a clear next step to grow in their faith.

Follower of Jesus Christ, married 38 years, 2 grown and launched daughters, 3 awesome grandkids. Multiple board roles at BRCC. Retired from Microsoft in 2027.

Monty Rains is CEO of Immersify, a creative studio producing immersive experiences, with a career spanning Fortune 100 and venture-funded companies across healthcare, technology, and entertainment. Today, he and Tina are building Masterpiece Care, a home health company grounded in Ephesians 2:10—the belief that each person is God’s masterpiece, created with purpose. Through Lifework, Monty enjoys encouraging other leaders as they pursue that same intersection of faith, purpose, and work.

Nelson Telemaco builds and transforms organizations across business, ministry, and the nonprofit sector. In senior roles at some of the world's largest financial institutions, he built or re-engineered business units operating in more than 100 countries, generating over $2 billion in new business revenue. He has led multidisciplinary teams spanning product development, marketing, distribution, technology, operations, finance, legal, and compliance.

Nelson is the founder of Proximity Works, a strategic consulting and venture-building firm serving clients across a broad range of industries. He has served on corporate, public-service, and nonprofit boards.

A Lifework Leadership alumnus, Nelson now serves on the board of the National Christian Foundation of South Florida. He launched Amplify, a faith-based startup accelerator, in partnership with NCF and Praxis. He ladvises executives and mentors emerging leaders, with a commitment to advancing human flourishing at scale.

Nelson holds a degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. He and his college sweetheart, Lissette, have two adult children, Nelson and Eliana, who share their love for the Lord and for other people.

My personal mission is to love and encourage others in Christ. This purpose shapes my relationships, my professional life, and the ways I serve.

Professionally, I work with Creative Planning, a wealth management firm I like to describe as “a family office for the multimillionaire next door.” I also have the privilege of serving on the board of the South Florida National Christian Foundation.

Born and raised in the Midwest, I’ve lived throughout the United States but have called South Florida home since 2006. Outside of work and service, I enjoy travel, pickleball, beach volleyball, and fine-art painting. I also love sharing life with my bride, Christina. We’ll celebrate our second wedding anniversary this October, and I’m happily still calling us newlyweds.

Pat Pinera loves the Lord and is passionate about helping people discover and use their God-given gifts and talents, grow in their leadership, and live out their calling.

She holds an MBA and brings a lifetime of leadership experience, including her work with American Express and PeopleTek Coaching. In retirement, Pat enjoys serving the Lord by overseeing many of the ministries of Gracepoint Church.

Pat had the privilege of being part of the pilot Lifework Leadership Class of 2007 and has served as a Lifework table coach, on and off, for nearly 20 years. Lifework has been an important part of her own journey, and she loves encouraging others to take the journey.

Above all, Pat treasures her roles as wife, mother, grandmother, and, most recently, great-grandmother. “Party of 14” is her greatest blessing.

Rebecca Manor is an author, educator, and product-development leader with more than 20 years of experience in publishing and curriculum development. She is passionate about helping people identify their strengths, pursue meaningful work, and live with purpose. Rebecca lives in South Florida with her husband and family and is an active member of Spanish River Presbyterian Church.

Scotty Manor serves as President of Knox Theological Seminary in Fort Lauderdale. His own experience with Lifework Leadership—first as a participant and later as a coach—has shaped both his leadership and his desire to help others connect their faith more fully with their work and relationships.

Scotty especially values the honest conversations, deep friendships, and shared commitment to Christ that Lifework fosters. He loves encouraging leaders as they navigate the opportunities and pressures of their callings while becoming more attentive to the ways God is at work in every part of their lives.

Scotty and his wife, Becca, live in Fort Lauderdale with their two sons. He enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with his family, and the occasional opportunity to get out on the water.

Susan Kassing began her career in the airline industry and transitioned to sales within the cellular industry before becoming a stay at home mom. Over the years she has served in a variety of capacities for charitable organizations. First and foremost she is currently a ten year Board member for the National Christian Foundation and has been coaching with Lifework Leadership since 2014. She has been a member of The Fort Lauderdale Executives Association since 1999.

Susan began volunteering with RWLW where she taught the high school curriculum. She was a teacher at Taylor’s Closet, working with middle and high school girls. She is currently an Advocate for single mothers at EMA and a classroom assistant at Grace Place School where she works with at risk high school students. Her personal mission statement, “Ah, to make a difference in the life of a child through the love of Jesus” applies to all she does and her passion to keep families strong and thriving is part of that mission statement.

Susan and her husband John met at Indiana University on his first day of school and they are still big time Hoosier fans - and celebrated the National Championship Football game in Miami.

Tina Rains, RN is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and keynote speaker helping others live fully free, fully surrendered, purpose-driven lives.

With over three decades in healthcare, she built and scaled a staffing company with eight offices nationwide. Today she leads Masterpiece Care (MasterpieceCare.com), an RN-led company specializing in dementia and Alzheimer's care that offers home care, care management, and assisted living placement when needed. She co-hosts a caregiving podcast (TheCaregiverPodcast.com) for families caring for aging loved ones.

Tina founded Masterpiece Women, a faith-based movement of women across South Florida built on four pillars: authentic community, leadership, excellence, and impact for good. She has helped raise millions for nonprofits and consulted with organizations throughout the region, including serving as founding president of Strikeforce Palm Beach. Her book, My Freedom Climb (2025), calls women to rise and step boldly into God-given purpose. She speaks on leadership, caregiving, and faith at events, conferences, and retreats.