Southwest Florida Leadership Institute

Jonathan currently serves as the CFO at Alliant Property Management, LLC, one of the largest locally owned and operating community association management firms in Southwest Florida. In this role, he oversees the firm’s financial operations, business development initiatives, IT strategy, and human resources. With a professional career spanning over 33 years in financial planning services, investment advisory services, banking, and management consulting, Jonathan has extensive experience in guiding families and small businesses to make informed financial decisions. For the past 12 years, he has focused on assisting business and community association leaders in effectively managing their organizations, particularly in board governance, administration, operations, accounting, information technology, and human resources. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University in Boston and recently earned a certificate in Cybersecurity after completing a 400-hour program at American University.

Jen McClain is Senior Director of Human Resources at The Hertz Corporation, one of the largest worldwide vehicle rental companies globally, headquartered in Southwest Florida. Jen has been with Hertz for over 8 years in progressive HR roles. In her current role, she leads the corporate HR team and is responsible for driving and supporting the human capital strategy and high-value HR processes across the corporate functions. She also oversees the design, implementation, and facilitation of leadership programming to support employee development, engagement, and retention. Jen has a Bachelor’s in Business Management and a Master's in Business Administration with a concentration in Information Systems; both from Florida Gulf Coast University. She is also a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from Purdue University, Certified Compensation Management Specialist from Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, SHRM Senior Certified Professional, and Distinguished Toastmaster.

Robert Oberwise, founder of Executive Partners (1989), has over four decades of international business experience working with Fortune 100 and 500 companies, governments, and educational institutions. As a recognized global growth strategist and change expert, he has helped many companies redefine their go-to-market strategy and design a lean operating approach. His expertise in large-scale systems change in cross-cultural environments has produced valuable business growth for his clients. Mr. Oberwise is a strategic thinker and accountability master with an acute knowledge of business fundamentals, which he uses to guide organizations and executive teams to higher performance levels. He has advised leaders around the globe and his work with Boards of Directors on functionality is renowned. He uniquely brings business and behavioral expertise, which assists EPI clients in shifting their paradigms to produce new thinking and business results. Besides an unrelenting focus and sense of urgency, Mr. Oberwise uses a constructive, energizing and engaging approach with stakeholders. Double digit growth is not unusual for companies Mr. Oberwise has worked with. For almost 30 years Executive Partners, a global consultancy, has been improving businesses and those who lead them. EPI drives performance improvement through four distinct and interrelated focuses; 1) Business Improvement Strategies, 2) Technology Upgrades, 3) Process Improvements and Implementation, 4) Leader Improvement. Data Analytics and Business Case Development are critical components of all EPI work. Mr. Oberwise’s previous executive management positions were with American Express (consumer), Carson Pirie Scott & Co. (retail), PIP Printing International (print), Xerox Corporation (print), and International Harvester. He graduated from Beloit College with a B.A. and from Loyola University with an M.S.I.R. Mr. Oberwise recently co-authored a book entitled Developing Global Leaders – A Guide to Managing Effectively in Unfamiliar Places. The book discusses the challenges of doing business globally in places where the same business principles, practices and capabilities are different from the western business world. It helps readers avoid mistakes and fast track results. Mr. Oberwise has several other publications to his credit including the Harvard Business Review, Training and Development Journal and The Conference Board. Robert is a frequent speaker, lecturer, and facilitator of executive teams. He has worked in 15 countries around the globe.

Debbie is an experienced professional with over two decades navigating complex business landscapes across diverse industries, including retail, healthcare, logistics, IT consulting, and SaaS. She excels at driving transformative initiatives, optimizing operational efficiency, and fostering organizational growth. She has significantly contributed to organizational growth and scale through efficiency enhancements in Customer Success and Sales. She has successfully led comprehensive transformations in HR, cultivating engaged cultures and improving efficiency and scalability for positive organizational outcomes. Debbie excels at building trust-based executive relationships to lead critical projects aligned with strategic goals. As a strategic leader with a proven track record, Debbie leverages her education, business acumen, strategic insight, and proficiency in people, processes, and technology to drive positive organizational change, enhance scalability, and contribute to the overall growth and success of a company. Her diverse industry experience and ability to adapt her broad skill set to meet the needs of the business and its people have enabled rapid organizational progress and positive outcomes throughout her career.

Laz Ravelo is the Risk Control Officer for Sunshine Ace Hardware, Inc. Sunshine Ace Hardware has 13 locations in Southwest Florida, one of which is a Benjamin Moore Signature Commercial Paint store. They serve markets from Marco Island to Tampa. This family-owned chain of stores has been a staple in Naples for 60+ years and is known for its Legendary Customer Service. Laz has 30 years of Retail Management experience. He began his career at Sunshine Ace Hardware in 1994 and managed four separate locations during his first 12 years with the company. In 2007, he was promoted to Director of Retail Operations and oversaw the strategic and operational goals for nine locations with more than 300 employees. In 2018, Laz was promoted to his current role as Director of Innovation & Development and continued overseeing the commercial paint store acquisitions. Laz has led numerous key projects for the company. Among them, the complex conversion of a TrueValue store to the Ace format. The establishment and implementation of their Centralized Purchasing Office. The development of their B2B Division’s Growth Strategy plan. The development and operational goals of the commercial paint stores; including the integration of one of the paint stores into the Marco Island Hardware store. Laz is a member of the North American Hardware & Paint Association and completed their Retail Management Certification Program, awarded by NHPA and Butler University, as well as their Foundations of Leadership Program, awarded by NHPA and Ball State University. He is also a certified trainer in the Everything DiSCⓇ Assessment tool.