Meet the professionals who can help you
Pursue Your Goals
We help individuals and families pursue their ideal retirements.
Meet the Team
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 the Kaizen Financial Group 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 with his high school sweetheart, Vivian, and their dog, Bailey. 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 clients, 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 a variety of 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 5 years where he showcased the value of a job well done and leading a team over difficult obstacles.
Enjoying a glass of wine with Vivan and cooking their favorite meal is his ideal way to spend a night. Cory has always loved baseball and was a team captain for 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 Vivan 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 KreucherInsurance Agent
Katie grew up in Washington Twp, MI and now lives in Macomb Twp, MI. She graduated with honors from Eisenhower High School in 2015. She attended Macomb Community College her last two years of High School through a program called Early College of Macomb. She then graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Associate of General Studies in 2016. She went onto The University of Detroit Mercy where she was on the Dean’s List all 3 years. She received a Bachelor of Science in Health Service Administration with a Minor in Leadership.
She has nearly a decade of experience working in the healthcare industry. She started working as a Certified Nursing Assistant at a Skilled Nursing Facility in 2015. She then went on to be a Medical Receptionist for an internal medicine/pediatric doctor’s office. After graduating college, she started working for Meridian Health as an appeals coordinator. By this point, 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 still holds her license as a health insurance producer with additional credentialing to sell Medicare. She is now an independent insurance agent with the ability to assist clients with whatever plan best fits their needs.
As an Insurance Agent here at Kaizen, she will apply her previous experience to help her clients with their financial services in the same way she has helped others with their insurance needs. 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. She believes in the kaizen way because she has seen it work first-hand through her parents who are happily retired.
In her free time, Katie enjoys spending time with her family, friends and boyfriend. Staying active is important to her as she lost over 100 pounds back in 2020. To stay active, she likes to go to the gym, do cycling classes and play pickleball. She also enjoys travel and adventure. Her happy place is up north in Oscoda, MI where she loves to go boating and explore 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 Group, 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 Group, 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 Group 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 Group. 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.
Kaizen Financial Group's Story
Strategic Alliances
MICHAEL BINGER, CFA®
President
Gradient Investments, LLC
JEREMY BRYAN, CFA®
Senior Portfolio Manager
Gradient Investments, LLC
KEITH GANGL, CFA®
Portfolio Manager
Gradient Investments, LLC
Mr. Gangl is a Portfolio Manager for Gradient Investments. He joined Gradient Investments in 2018 and has over 20 years of total investment management experience. Prior roles include portfolio management for a large institutional equity firm, where he managed several billion dollars of assets. Mr. Gangl has been featured in media publications such as Investor’s Business Daily, Bloomberg, and Yahoo!. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University, MBA from the University of St. Thomas, and is a CFA® charterholder.