Practice Team

Andrea Elliott, BA LLB has practiced global immigration law since 1991, representing large, mid-size and small companies. She specializes in International Immigration to and from any country in the world and Domestic Migration into Africa.

Andrea has received several private sector awards honoring her accomplishments in Service Excellence and has been a guest speaker at conferences hosted by the International Bar in London, International Law West, Council on Education, Center for International Legal Studies (CILS), ERC National and Global Conventions, 2nd World Women Lawyers Conference, SHRM national and regional events and national relocation firms on matters relating to international assignment. She was also a guest lecturer at the UCLA HR Honors program.

Andrea graduated cum laude with 7 distinctions from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa; Graduated second in her law class from the University of Natal Durban with a Bachelor of Laws Degree; Began her U.S legal career as Counsel to HirsonWexlerPerl (now Fragomen) an immigration firm using her international legal experience and language skills (English, Afrikaans, German, Dutch, French and Spanish); Appointed to position of Senior Foreign Supervising Attorney of the Global Visa Solutions division of HirsonWexlerPerl (which coordinated the outbound foreign work permits and visas) in 2001 and Practice Leader in 2002 ; Joined Littler Mendelson Bacon & Dear (Littler Global) in 2004 as Director of Global Resources and built their Global Visa practice. She founded Pro-Link GLOBAL in 2005.

Andrea lives with her husband and their 2 children in Bradenton Florida.

Memberships include:

Society of Human Resource Management SHRM
Worldwide Employee Relocation Council ERC
International Bar Association

A native of South Africa, Catherine was admitted to the High Court in South Africa as a Barrister in 1996. In 1997, she relocated to the U.S.A. under the ABA's International Legal Exchange Program (ILEX) where she joined a leading immigration law firm as an associate. Catherine was promoted to partner in 2001 and managed several large multinational and national corporate clients, as well as high net worth individual investor clients.

Catherine was admitted to the State Bar of CA in 1999 and served a 3 year term as a member of the Executive Committee of the State Bar of California's International Law Section (2001-2004), and was also Co-Editor of the Section's quarterly Newsletter. She is a frequent guest speaker at conferences hosted by the State Bar of California, particularly the International Law Section. Catherine graduated from the University of Cape Town, South Africa in 1993 with a BA degree and in 1995 graduated third in her class to receive her LL.B. She also received several awards honoring academic excellence.

Catherine lives with her husband and 3 children in Laguna Niguel, California.

Memberships

State Bar of California
AILA

KATE BOYD
Senior Immigration Consultant

As an experienced global immigration paralegal, Kate brings essential expertise in the processing and coordination of work permits, resident permits and business visas around the globe.

With over 5 years of experience her responsibilities include preparing work permit petitions, processing and coordinating cases for work and resident permits and business visas with our offices around the globe and liaising with clients and assignees. A key function is liaising with foreign government offices and embassies both locally and internationally to facilitate the immigration process.

Kate has a Bachelors Degree in English from the University of Kansas and a paralegal certification from the Phoenix Career College.

Kate and her Kiwi husband have lived in both the USA and New Zealand and currently make their home in Denver, Colorado.

CRISTINA MOLDOVAN-AMARAL
Immigration Consultant

With 3 years experience as a paralegal handling global immigration cases for a well known US law fim, Cristina is able to provide assistance with obtaining work permits, residence permits and international business travel visas.

With her experience her duties include drafting work permit petitions and support letters, updating and liaising with clients, communicating with embassies, consulates and immigration authorities around the world and managing cases to ensure timely responses and deadlines are met.

Cristina is proficient in 8 languages including Romanian, her native language and Farsi, having previously lived in Iran. Her language skills and experiences having lived abroad are an invaluable asset in this global immigration environment.

Cristina has a Masters degree in languages from the University of Vienna where she was the holder of a scholarship from the Tempus Phare Program, funded by the EU. She also won the Loews Legends Award of 2004, competing with over 10,000 employees in the USA and Canada.

Cristina lives with her Brazilian husband and family in Phoenix AZ.

BEATA FIROSZ
Immigration Consultant

Beata is a highly skilled paralegal that has several years experience handling immigration cases She was born in Poland and moved to the United States 12 years ago after visiting as an exchange student.  Beata lived in New York and relocated to Arizona in 2005. Beata is fluent in Polish and English.

With her experience her responsibilities include preparing and filing applications for business visas, temporary work and residence permits, permanent residence permits,  entry clearances, entry visas, and passports.

Beata has a degree in Business Management from the Borough of Manhattan Community College and a degree in Paralegal Studies from LaGuardia College.

Beata lives with her husband and family in Surprise, Arizona.

CHRISTEN GAUSE
Executive Assistant

Christen, who graduated with an MBA from Norwich University, Vermont brings her administrative expertise to ensure the data systems and case tracking that are a priority in a global immigration practice are kept up to date.

Christen has nine years of business experience including time spent as a 911 Dispatcher during which time she studied full time to obtain her MBA. Her experience enables her to bring a calm commitment to her environment and the team she supports.

Christen manages the vital document procurement, research, case tracking, case reports and data management.

Christen lives with her husband and family in Bradenton FL.

OKSANA BABADZHANOVA
Immigration Consultant

With more than seven years' experience as a global immigration paralegal for well-known U.S. law firms, Oksana brings a wealth of experience in the field of global visa and immigration processing.

Her ability to manage a large volume of cases is of great merit in providing a high level of skill in a fast-paced global immigration environment. In addition to a comprehension of the processes and systems required in support of an assignee, Oksana will be assisting in the preparation of business travel visas, work permits, residence permits, letters of support, visa packets and filing applications in a timely manner at the appropriate consulates.

As a native of Kazakhstan and arriving in the United States as a refugee from Russia at an early age, Oksana is able to draw on first-hand experience and knowledge that brings about a level of commitment and empathy to our clients as well as aids her in being an integral part of a unified team.

Oksana is fluent in English, Russian and Farsi and has an Associates degree from The Bryman School in Phoenix, Arizona and is currently studying to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Phoenix.

Okasan lives with her husband and 2 children in Phoenix Az.

Operations Team

LANCE ELLIOTT
Vice President, Operations

As Vice President of Operations, Lance brings significant entrepreneurial and project management experience to his role.

Lance's multi-faceted career began with a high level of versatility and ambition. He transitioned into Commercial Diving progressing swiftly to the lead Supervisor position where he planned, directed and coordinated the operations of multiple project management assignments. After an injury side lined his diving career, he went back to University and joined a growing field of Forensic Scientists. He graduated with Honors and made the Dean's List and Honor Roll with a 4.0 GPA. He was selected by the Orange County Sherriff's office in CA to join their Coroner Team where he was instrumental in assisting the Pathologist. His career moved when he became the "trailing spouse" as his wife was head hunted to manage a global immigration practice in AZ for a renowned law firm.

Lance manages the Operations Team to establish organizational direction, strategy and objectives for the organization.  His leadership abilities help the company to innovate at scale by leading in the design of business processes, reporting and solving strategic business problems.

Lance's high level of enthusiasm and strong integrity, as our Chief Values Officer, creates a winning atmosphere that makes him a valued principal to Pro-link GLOBAL. 

Lance holds an Associate degree in Criminal Justice from Long Beach City College and an Advanced Diploma in Applied Forensics Science from California State University, Fullerton. 

Lance lives with his wife and their 3 children in Bradenton, Florida.

MICHELE LONGLEY
Director, Global Business Development

With over 20 years of international experience in professional marketing and sales Michele began her career as a business school graduate in South Africa with a Diploma in Public Relations in 1982. Her experience has made her an expert at building and maintaining exceptional customer relationships.

Having personally been through the immigration process in 3 countries and with experience as a Trailing Spouse, Michele brings first hand knowledge to understanding the sense of urgency and commitment needed for an assignee and their family. This experience is integral to the level of customer service provided by Pro-Link GLOBAL and their international team of immigration experts.

In 2008 Michele obtained her Global Mobility Specialist (GMS) designation from the Worldwide ERC, which enables her to better understand the needs of all her clients. Michele is also a certified speaker and trainer with over 5 years experience in the Real Estate industry. Throughout her sales and marketing career she has earned awards for her consistent sales and service records.

Michele and her British husband are 10 year residents of Bradenton, Florida and with their families form their own league of nations.

Memberships & Licenses:

Worldwide Employee Relocation Council (ERC)
Licensed Real Estate Agent, Florida USA

DEBRA STONEBRAKER
Manager, Billing and Accounts

With nine years experience in accounting, computer applications and inventory management, Debra brings a high level of proficiency that is necessary in streamlining billing and accounting procedures and providing a central point of access for clients.

Having managed her own consulting and training computer business for six years and run the business operation of a successful U.S immigration law firm for the past year, Debra is a great asset to our busy consulting practice. Her proficiency with Six Sigma coupled with her background and experience ensure that the Pro-link GLOBAL's business goals are achieved and maintained using proven successful models of delivery.  Her desire to achieve excellence is evident in her volunteer efforts on the California Council of Excellence and American Society of Quality, as well as being the Secretary of the Board of Directors of Silicon valley regional Council for Excellence.

Debra graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Management with a concentration in Accounting from DeVry University, and received an Associate of Science degree, with honors, in Computer Applications from Butte College.

Debra resides in Vallejo, CA with her two dogs.

RHONDA ZIMMER
Communications Specialist

As a memoirist, freelance writer and having more than twenty years of combined legal, administration and customer service experience, Rhonda has the skills necessary to procure a clear and concise pathway of communications to successfully set and achieve company goals.

Prior to being a Paralegal for a reputable U.S. law firm and managing an extensive caseload for its largest client, she earned a degree in Organizational Communication Studies with a concentration in Marketing from the University of Kansas where she was a Facilitator and Editor for a Group Leadership Practicum Writing Course.  She also obtained Legal Certification, with honors, from Topeka Platt College and is certified by the National Management and Communications Training Program.  Additionally, Rhonda's dedication to personal growth and leadership development are demonstrated by her achievement in completing more than 100 hours of rapport training and becoming a Master Graduate at Rapport Leadership International.

Rhonda will also be the point person on the Business Development Team for all the Requests for Proposals (RFP), a role that requires a dedicated resource for a fast-paced global immigration environment.

Rhonda resides in Phoenix, Arizona with her Chinese Shar-Pei, Baci.

CHRISTEN GAUSE
Executive Assistant

Christen, who graduated with an MBA from Norwich University, Vermont brings her administrative expertise to ensure the data systems and case tracking that are a priority in a global immigration practice are kept up to date.

Christen has nine years of business experience including time spent as a 911 Dispatcher during which time she studied full time to obtain her MBA. Her experience enables her to bring a calm commitment to her environment and the team she supports.

Christen manages the vital document procurement, research, case tracking, case reports and data management.

Christen lives with her husband and family in Bradenton FL.