Meet the Team
Chief Executive OfficerRay Monteleone
Ray Monteleone is President and CEO of Paladin Global Partners, Chairman of The Board of Paladin Publications, and Managing Partner of Monteleone CPA & Associates. A seasoned C-suite advisor and CPA, Ray brings decades of experience guiding senior leaders and boards through complex strategic decisions, including growth, mergers and acquisitions, executive compensation, governance, and exit planning. He has served in senior executive and board leadership roles across public and private organizations, including Chairman, President, Co-CEO, CFO, and VP of Global Corporate Development. Ray currently serves as Chairman of Innoveren and holds multiple board and committee leadership positions spanning corporate, civic, and economic development organizations. He holds an MBA from Florida Atlantic University and is a trusted advisor to executives across healthcare, technology, financial services, manufacturing, education, and nonprofit sectors. Ray also was the Director of Taxes of South Florida of the Arthur Young & Co. and participated in the their Advanced Management Seminar at Harvard University.
Partner & Managing DirectorNicholas Monteleone
Nicholas Monteleone brings more than 28 years of executive leadership experience across sales, marketing, revenue management, hotel development, and strategic operations within the global hospitality industry. He advises owners, developers, and investors on hotel development, feasibility, asset management, market positioning, and strategic oversight for luxury resorts and mixed-use projects. Throughout his career, Nicholas has held senior leadership roles with premier global hospitality brands including Montage International, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Viceroy Hotel Group, and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. His experience includes leading global sales and revenue organizations, conducting market analysis and due diligence for new developments, shaping commercial strategy, and driving sustained revenue growth and brand performance. Known for his results-driven and mentorship-focused leadership style, Nicholas combines deep industry expertise with a strong understanding of the operational and financial drivers behind successful hospitality investments. He is a trusted advisor recognized for building high-performing teams, strengthening market position, and translating opportunities into measurable results and long-term value.
Partner & Advisor, Tax & AccountingJinah Shockley
Jinah Shockley is a results-driven accounting professional with nearly a decade of experience at Paladin Global Partners and Monteleone CPA & Associates. She provides comprehensive tax, accounting, and financial advisory support to businesses, nonprofits, and individuals, with deep expertise in complex federal and state tax compliance, financial reporting, and multi-entity accounting. Jinah advises clients across a range of industries on tax planning, process optimization, and financial decision-making, helping strengthen financial performance and operational efficiency. Known for her precision, reliability, and solutions-oriented approach, she brings strong technical fluency and a collaborative mindset to every engagement. Jinah holds a Master of Accounting and a B.B.A. in Accounting from Florida Atlantic University and actively pursues continuing professional education through the AICPA and FICPA. After bringing two beautiful children into the world, Jinah is now pursuing her CPA.
Advisor, Strategic Investments
Bo Megginson
Bo Megginson is an experienced angel investor, startup advisor, and ecosystem builder with deep expertise in early-stage investing, venture development, and cross-border innovation. He serves as Managing Partner of Gold Coast Angel Investors in Miami, where he helps build and manage a diverse portfolio of U.S. and Israeli technology companies through strategic partnerships with leading international accelerators and investment groups. Prior to Gold Coast, Bo was Executive Director of the AIM Group, where he played a key role in scaling the largest and most active angel network in the Southeast U.S., supporting more than 60 early-stage investments totaling over $40 million. A veteran of multiple startups, Bo brings a pragmatic, founder-focused perspective shaped by experience across joint ventures, government contracting, specialty insurance, and community-driven healthcare initiatives. He currently serves as Chief Editorial Officer (CEO) of South Florida Venture Tech Chronicle, serves on the board of Miami FinTech, and has held longstanding leadership roles with mission-based healthcare organizations.
Chief Growth Officer & Strategic Partner
Nikki Cabus
Nikki Cabus is a former nonprofit CEO, department leader, and top-performing sales executive, Nikki brings extensive experience in business development, strategic partnerships, marketing, sales, and organizational growth. She is also the founder and CEO of Studio Solian, a South Florida-based strategy, marketing, and event production firm. Throughout her career, she has built and led teams, developed revenue-generating initiatives, and created partnerships that bring together businesses, community leaders, and organizations around shared opportunities for growth. She has also served on and alongside boards and advisory groups supporting business and economic development, workforce and talent pipeline initiatives, technology and innovation, and higher education. Known as a connector and relationship builder, Nikki focuses on expanding market opportunities, cultivating strategic partnerships, and connecting businesses and leaders with the people, resources, and expertise they need to grow. Her experience working across corporate, nonprofit, entrepreneurial, and community ecosystems gives her a unique ability to identify opportunities and turn relationships into meaningful business outcomes. At Paladin, she brings together strategy, relationships, and opportunity to help drive sustainable growth and long-term impact.
Partner & Chief Operations Officer
Tara Monteleone McGinn
Tara Monteleone McGuinn serves as Operations Director at Paladin Global Partners, LLC, bringing experience in business operations, human resources, volunteer management, community engagement, and organizational leadership. She plays a key role in strengthening the internal systems, processes, and day-to-day operations that support the firm’s continued growth and client success. With a strong focus on operational excellence and people management, Tara’s experience spans process optimization, team and volunteer coordination, HR and administrative functions, internal communications, and stakeholder relations. She is skilled at bringing structure to complex initiatives, improving workflows, and ensuring teams have the resources and support needed to operate effectively. Prior to Paladin, Tara held roles in admissions and community leadership at Pine Crest School, where she managed family engagement initiatives, volunteer operations, and community programming. Known for her organized, people-focused approach, Tara combines strong relationship-building skills with operational discipline to help organizations and teams work more efficiently, collaboratively, and effectively.
Partner & Chief Technical Officer
Derek Assaf
Derek Assaf is a software engineer, entrepreneur, and strategic problem-solver with experience spanning technology, business operations, and creative industries. He brings a unique ability to bridge technical expertise with real-world business strategy, developing practical solutions that improve efficiency, solve complex challenges, and support organizational growth. Prior to his work in technology, Derek founded and led Markee Music for more than a decade, overseeing business operations, team leadership, client relationships, and growth. He also launched Ridenour Backline and Ridenour Rehearsal Studio, providing professional production and technical solutions for touring artists and the broader music industry. His entrepreneurial experience gives him a firsthand understanding of what it takes to build, operate, and scale a business. With an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Lynn University and software development training from 4Geeks Academy, Derek combines an analytical mindset with an entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving. Today, he applies that combination of technology, operations, and business experience to help clients navigate complex challenges, identify opportunities for innovation, and turn ideas into effective, results-driven solutions.
Senior Accountant & Financial Advisor
Marco Serna
Marco Serna is an accounting and financial management professional with more than 16 years of experience in accounting, financial reporting, tax compliance, budgeting, forecasting, and financial operations. At Paladin Global Partners, LLC, he leverages his financial expertise to strengthen reporting, improve financial processes, and support the firm’s continued growth and client success. With experience spanning hospitality, commercial real estate, and professional services, Marco’s expertise includes financial statement preparation, financial controls, cash management, budgeting and forecasting, GAAP-compliant reporting, and corporate and individual tax compliance. He is skilled at improving reporting accuracy, supporting audits, streamlining financial processes, and providing practical tax planning and compliance solutions. Marco holds a Master of Accounting from St. Thomas University, a Bachelor of Accounting from Florida International University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida. He is currently pursuing his Enrolled Agent (EA) credential. Combining technical expertise with a practical, solutions-focused approach, Marco helps organizations build stronger financial foundations and make informed business decisions.