Joe Strazzeri, Esq.
Counselor and Attorney for Successful Families and Business Owners. Educator for Wealth Advisors. Speaker and Author.
As a former general contractor, land developer, and business owner, Joe combines these skills along with more than 20 years of experience as an attorney to counsel families and business owners.
Through 4 unique brands and with his partners, Joe educates wealth advisors, assists business owners to find “what’s next”, as well as protects families and their assets.
The Southern California Institute is a Thought Leader Community providing resources, education, and advice via collaborative think tanks, events, programs, online content, and introductions.
The Laureate Center for Wealth Advisors provides advanced training and support for wealth advisors, such as: Attorney’s, Accountants, Fiduciaries, Bankers, Financial Advisors, Insurance Professionals, and other wealth advisors. Learn how to attract, engage, and work with your perfect client and their trusted advisors.
Strazzeri Mancini LLP helps affluent families get to the heart of highly relevant matters and resolve messes in the areas of integrated tax and estate planning, business succession, and family governance counseling.
The Founders Group leads business owners through all phases of transition where increased clarity, net cash flow, and market value expands and solidifies choices for business transition: if, when, how, how much, and to whom.
Steve Mancini, Esq.
Professional Background & Personal Information
The California State Bar; California Supreme Court; United States Tax Court; United States District Court; and Southern District Court of California. Certified Specialist: Wills, Trusts & Probate, the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.
Education
A Laureate in Wealth Strategies at the Southern California Institute; Fellow of the Esperti Peterson Institute; Post Graduate Legal Diploma in Taxation, University of San Diego School of Law, San Diego, California (1980); J. D., University of San Diego School of Law, San Diego, California (1979); and B.A., Chaminade University, Honolulu, Hawaii (1976).
Memberships
Wealth Counsel; American Bar Association; California State Bar Association; San Diego County Bar Association; Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Section; and Esperti Peterson Institute.
Positions
Former Partner Stacer & Mancini. Principal of the Founders Group, a Business Strategies Collaborative. Principal and Founder, Law Office of Stephen J. Mancini, APC, specializing in Estate Planning, Business Succession, Charitable Planning, Asset Protection and Retirement Issues. Principal & Founder: Law Firm of Strazzeri Mancini LLP.
Educator
Instructor for the Academy of Multidisciplinary Practices, courses accredited by the Estate and Wealth Strategies Institute at Michigan State University; Instructor, Paralegal Courses; Speaker for Continuing Education for Financial Professionals, including Certified Public Accountants, Attorneys, and Financial Planners.
Publications
Co-author “Giving — Philanthropy for Everyone” published by Quantum Press; Co-author, “Active Monitoring: An Alternative Strategy to Improve Alternate Valuation Results”, CCH Journal of Practical Estate Planning; Co-author, “The Uniform Acts: What Are They? What am I Supposed to Do with Them? Why Should I Bother?”, National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys; and Course materials on Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts for the Academy of Multidisciplinary Practices, courses accredited by the Estate and Wealth Strategies Institute at Michigan State University.
Community Service
Member: Palomar Pomerado Health Foundation — Planned Giving Advisory Council; former member: Rancho Penasquitos Town Council; and President of the Lions Club.
Personal
Happily married to Carol Mancini since 1972. Veteran of the Viet Nam War, 1968-1972. Honorably discharged from the U. S. Navy in 1972. In his free time, Steve enjoys fly fishing and other outdoor activities.
Shelley Lightfoot
Executive Director, Principal
Southern California Institute
[email protected]
Current
As a life-long financial and legal services professional, Shelley’s unique combination of experience, passion, and creativity are an excellent contribution for her objective of helping wealth advisors attract and engage clients through collaborative efforts with other advisors. Since early 2009, Shelley has enjoyed her role as the Executive Director and Partner in 4 unique brands:
The Southern California Institute is a Thought Leader Community providing resources, education, and advice via collaborative think tanks, events, programs, online content, and introductions.
The Laureate Center for Wealth Advisors provides advanced training and support for wealth advisors, such as: Attorney’s, Accountants, Fiduciaries, Bankers, Financial Advisors, Insurance Professionals, and other wealth advisors learn how to attract, engage, and work with their perfect client and their trusted advisors.
The Founders Group leads business owners through all phases of transition where increased clarity, net cash flow, and market value expands and solidifies choices for business transition: if, when, how, how much, and to whom.
Previous Positions
Shelley has been engaged in the financial services industry since 1986; having held various executive management positions including Vice President of Investments, Compliance Officer, Operations Manager, Sr. Management Consultant, and Business Development Manager. Born and raised in Kansas City, MO (most recently Overland Park KS), Shelley moved to the San Diego area in 2007 while employed with Bank of America. During her 5-year tenure with BofA, Shelley was second in command of 80 branch locations with 112 employees; extending her industry experience to virtually all areas of financial services, including branch management, regulatory compliance audits, sales supervision, business plan coaching, operational efficiency and national policy review. In addition, Shelley has also successfully provided independent compliance and management consulting for financial advisors and broker dealers.
Education / Accreditation
Although they are no longer active, Shelley has obtained a number of securities licenses over the years (series 7, 8, 63, and 65); has a bachelor’s degree in management; and is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA).
Educator
With over 25 years of experience, Shelley often educates advisors and business owners from all disciplines through SCI programs and speaking engagements at affiliated organizations such as Dunham & Associates, Best Practices of America, Society of Financial Services Professionals, WealthCounsel and ElderCounsel, Bank of America, UBS Financial Services, Exit Planning Institute, Financial Planning Association, Fiduciary Attorney Summit, The Center for Tax Strategies and Resources, and more.
Personal
Originally from Kansas City, Shelley and her fiance, Kent, are loving life in San Diego. Combined they have 5 children ranging from 15 to 35 years of age. In her free time Shelley enjoys yoga, entertaining, decorating, reading, going to the beach/pool, and hanging out with friends (and dogs)!
Ela Degen
Programs Director
[email protected]
Ela was born and raised in Poland and has a master’s degree in Public Administration. She has also had a successful career in the restaurant and hospitality industry as a manager and event planner.
In 2021, Ela decided to embark on a new adventure, moving to San Diego. In her new environment, she continued to flourish professionally, utilizing her talents as a wedding planner, creating magical moments for couples on their special day.
Ela’s passion for personal and professional growth led her to join the Southern California Institute in August 2022 as a Programs Director. In this role, she oversees the development and implementation of various programs, ensuring their success and effectiveness.
Beyond her professional life, Ela is an adventurous soul. She finds solace in exploring the underwater world through snorkeling and is an avid traveler, constantly seeking for new experiences and immersing herself in different cultures.
Mike Armstrong
Director of Digital Technologies
[email protected]
Having worked together since 1995, Mike and our Partner, Alex Matuk, joined the Firm in April 2002. Since then, Mike has worked with Strazzeri Mancini in every aspect of the firm. His transition into the firm brought his paralegal experience in Litigation and Business Planning. In addition to his assistance with our computer network and website, and a year as the Office Administrator, Mike has cross-trained in the FamilyCare™ Estate Group and has been the lead Strategic Assistant and Paralegal to the FamilyCare™ Estate Succession Department and FamilyCare Business Group.
Mike continues to grow both professionally and personally. He currently works as the firm’s Director of First impressions and Director of Digital Technologies.
Personally, Mike can often be spotted throughout San Diego with his dogs Boots and Bandit. Their favorite Sunday afternoon activity is laying in their back yard, the OB dog beach while Boots plays with the other dogs. He spends his fall, winter, and spring months enjoying the San Diego Gulls and the Los Angeles Kings. His patience in awaiting the return of the San Diego Gulls and professional hockey to San Diego has been fulfilled. He has formerly served as the Vice President of The Colony, a Gulls’ fan-based Booster and Community Support Club and facilitated the transition of the Colony to be the Official Booster Club of the San Diego Gulls. He continues to root for the Los Angeles Kings’ in their drive for their third Stanley Cup.#LetsGoGulls #GoKingsGo