Meet the professionals who can help you
Pursue Your Goals
We help individuals and families pursue their ideal retirements.
Meet the Team
In Japanese, “kai-zen” means “continuous change for the better” and starts from the belief that we all have limitations that may hinder us from achieving our goals. When clients engage with Kaizen Financial, Inc., Albert Lalonde and his team help them to identify their weaknesses and strengthen their foundations. Then the Kaizen team helps to improve clients’ financial lives by developing a personalized O.W.N. Your Retirement program.
Albert LalondeFinancial Planner, Investment Advisor Representative
Albert is focused on helping clients work toward their retirement dreams through a well-thought-out financial strategy for retirement.
Albert was inspired to join the financial services industry in 2001, after watching his parents navigate their own retirements without anyone to properly guide them. He became an independent advisor in 2005, partnering with a colleague to establish a complete financial planning firm that embodied the ideal of placing clients’ best interests first. When his former partner decided to relocate the firm in 2012, Albert chose to remain nearby for his clients and founded Kaizen Financial, Inc. on those same investor-first principles.
As a fiduciary, Albert adheres to a comprehensive approach when providing investment advice and creating financial plans. He believes education is a vital component when making retirement decisions, and he frequently offers workshops and educational seminars on retirement-related topics.
Albert has passed the Series 65 securities exam and holds an insurance and health license. He has also completed certified courses on estate and tax planning; however, he does not provide any legal or tax advice. Albert graduated from Montana State University, where he earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees. He was a three-time College All-American in wrestling and also qualified for the 1992 Olympic wrestling team trials.
Albert resides in Harrison Township, Michigan, and enjoys the outdoors, extreme sports and physical fitness training. As former head wrestling coach for Lapeer East High School, he feels everyone should have some type of coach or advisor to help them attain the dreams and goals they set for themselves
Cory HamlinInvestment Advisor Representative
Cory grew up here in Shelby Township and has lived in this area his entire life. Currently residing in Utica. Cory has always worked towards being a leader, and building a business where he and his neighbors can be proud to be a part of. Growing up in Shelby Township, he learned from his parents how to treat people with respect and work hard. Cory is a fiduciary, who works for the best interest of his neighbors, and is passionate about financial planning because he has seen the positive impact it has on others. Cory is a Series 65 holder and has an insurance license, meaning he can discuss all possible financial planning avenues.
Cory was an Eisenhower High School alumni and an honor roll graduate of Oakland University with a wealth management finance degree. While in college, Cory worked in managing and marketing small local businesses for nearly five years where he showcased the value of a job well done and leading a team over difficult obstacles.
Cory has always loved baseball, was a team captain, and played for over seven years. He credits his coaches and teammates as a huge influence on his desire to learn, and win as a team. His love for the game inspired a goal to one day see all 30 MLB stadiums. An avid golfer, Cory enjoys hitting the links as much as he can with friends and his neighbors. Sharing a laugh with others and learning the value of persistence makes golf his favorite hobby. Working together to accomplish a goal was an idea Cory always preached and makes him a perfect fit as a financial advisor.
Katie KreucherInvestment Advisor Representative
Katie grew up in Washington Township. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Eisenhower High School in 2015. She attended Macomb Community College, her last two years of High School, through Early College of Macomb. She then graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Associate Degree in 2016. She went onto The University of Detroit Mercy, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with her Bachelor’s Degree in 2019. She now has a house with her fiancé, Kristian, in Sterling Heights.
She worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at a Skilled Nursing Facility and then went on to be a Medical Receptionist for a doctor’s office. After graduating college, she started working for Meridian Health as an appeals coordinator. By this point in her career, she had discovered how little most people understood about insurance and became passionate about teaching others how it works. This led her to a role as an insurance agent in 2021 with American Health Plans where she was promoted to Senior Agent in 2023. She maintains her license as a Health and Life insurance producer. She has been working as the health insurance agent with Kaizen Financial, Inc. since 2024. She is happy to assist people in getting Medicare, Marketplace (Individual/Family), Dental/Vision, Life Insurance and Annuities.
Throughout the years of helping people with insurance, she often found that their finances play a large part in the process and that people don’t know enough about them. That’s why she became motivated to educate others on insurance and finance. She was fortunate enough to train alongside one of the leaders in the industry, Albert Lalonde, who taught her everything there is to know about financial planning. Katie now holds her Series 65 and is registered as an Investment Advisor Representative. She truly loves helping people plan for retirement. She prides herself on being a one-stop-shop for all her client’s insurance and financial needs and she takes her role as a fiduciary very seriously. The most important things for her will always be prioritizing her client’s needs and ensuring that they understand every aspect of their financial plan.
In her free time, Katie enjoys spending time with her family, friends and fiancé. She also enjoys traveling, playing pickleball and working on DIY projects. Her happy place is up north, in Oscoda, where she loves boating and exploring the outdoors.
Angela Edmonds
Director of Business & Family Relations
When it comes to working with clients, Angela pays close attention to detail. She has seen firsthand the benefits of creating a sound financial strategy — and the ramifications of not having a strategy at all. She is passionate about helping clients and coordinating their financial relationship with the firm.
Prior to joining Kaizen Financial, Inc., Angela worked as an assistant head teller at Standard Federal Bank before moving on as assistant operations manager at QPS Printing. Her extensive experience in office operations and customer relations is evident in her approach to serving clients.
Angela resides in Commerce Township with her son Easton. They enjoy spending summer days on the lake with friends and family, as well as attending music concerts and sporting events throughout the year.
Renee Russo
Marketing & Service Coordinator
Renee’s attention to detail and love of working with people led her to her role with Kaizen Financial, Inc., which she joined in 2013. She is responsible for service and administration of new clients, processing paperwork and maintaining current client accounts.
Renee holds a Michigan life insurance license. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Nutrition & Food Science from Wayne State University, as well as a Master of Management degree from Walsh College.
Renee and her husband, Anthony, often find themselves tackling new house projects. She also enjoys spending time at the family cottage in Port Sanilac as well as spending time with her extended family.
Julie Thomas
Controller
Julie brings over 30 years of bookkeeping experience to the Kaizen Financial, Inc., team. Before joining the firm, she spent most of her career working as the personal assistant to the chairman/owner of an automotive engineering company.
Julie grew up in Shelby Township, Michigan, and now lives in Washington Township with her husband, Michael, and two dogs, Sammy and Harley. When she’s not working, she enjoys golfing, knitting and sharing good times with friends and family.
Deborah Randazzo
Client Service Coordinator
Pam Bashaw
Administration
Pam Bashaw brings 25 years of office experience and customer service to our team at Kaizen Financial, Inc. She served as an Administrative Assistant to a local Realtor/Appraiser before moving to her role as a receptionist at her church. Pam loves working with people and is excited to be a member of the team.
Pam lives with her husband Curt and two of her children: Brendan & Amanda. They have 2 dogs; Gibson & MJ and three cats; Lexi, Gabby & Cricket.
When Pam is not working, she enjoys spending time with her grandson, going to the gym and being with family.
Erica Marochek
Client Service Coordinator
Erica is a devoted wife to Ron, with whom they share over 20 years of marriage, and a proud mother to Emma and Brayden. Family is at the heart of everything she does. Growing up on the east side, she was raised with strong family values that continue to guide her approach to life and work. Known for her hands-on approach, she finds joy in exploring Home Depot and diving into DIY home improvement projects.
Professionally, Erica brings over 20 years of experience to her career, where she excels at helping clients and building lasting, meaningful relationships. Her clients value her compassionate, relationship-driven approach and her commitment to their success. Between supporting her kids in their sports and balancing her thriving career, she’s admired for the grounded values and dedication that shape her every endeavor.
The Kaizen Financial, Inc. Story
Strategic Alliances
MICHAEL BINGER, CFA®
President
Gradient Investments, LLC
As President, Michael is the leader of Gradient Investments and has been with the firm since 2012. He brings more than 30 years of industry experience including prior roles managing multi-billion dollar portfolios for an institutional asset manager. Michael is a CFA® charterholder and is a frequent contributor on CNBC, Fox Business, Barron’s, and the Wall Street Journal.
KEITH GANGL, CFA®
Senior Portfolio Manager
Gradient Investments, LLC
Keith joined Gradient Investments in 2018 and has more than 25 years of industry experience. Prior roles include asset management for a multi-billion dollar portfolio with a large institutional asset management firm. Keith is a CFA® charterholder, managed a Lipper Award winning mutual fund, and has been featured in media outlets such as Investor’s Business Daily, Nasdaq, Reuters, and Bloomberg.
TYLER ELLEGARD, CFA®
Portfolio Manager
Gradient Investments, LLC