Meet the Team
Dr. Suraiya Shaik Ali
Founder & President
With 4 decades of experience in tax preparation, financial strategy, and business consulting, Dr. Suraiya Shaik Ali is the founder and driving force behind Freedom Phoenix. Her journey into the tax industry began in the 80s when she researched the tax code to resolve her own family’s IRS debt. What began as helping family and friends eventually grew into a career dedicated to helping others better understand and take control of their finances, culminating in the founding of Freedom Phoenix in 2015.
As President, Dr. Ali oversees the company’s financial direction, budgeting, strategic planning, and major business decisions. She also provides specialized tax guidance when a client’s situation requires her extensive experience and expertise. Through her consulting company, DrKnowItAli, she expands that work into financial education, business strategy, credit, budgeting, and personal financial empowerment.
Dr. Ali holds a Ph.D. in Education and is passionate about helping people move toward greater financial independence. A mother of four, grandmother of eleven, and great-grandmother of two, she enjoys traveling, cooking for her family, and spending time with the people she loves. She is known for being intelligent, warm-hearted, strong-minded, and unapologetically committed to helping her clients get what they deserve.
Zarina Williams
Vice President & General Manager
Zarina Williams is a seasoned tax professional with more than 13 years of experience in the tax industry and has been an integral part of Freedom Phoenix since its founding in 2015. As Vice President and General Manager, she is one of the company’s senior tax analysts, specializing in tax preparation, resolving tax concerns, and helping clients navigate their tax situations with confidence.
Having learned the business under the mentorship of her mother, Dr. Ali, Zarina developed a strong passion for educating clients—not simply preparing their returns, but helping them understand their taxes and make more informed financial decisions. She is particularly passionate about making tax knowledge accessible to everyday people who may not have had the opportunity to learn how the tax system works.
Zarina also oversees the Freedom Phoenix team, helping maintain a professional and supportive environment for both staff and clients. Her warm, approachable, and level-headed personality allows her to combine technical knowledge with the personal attention that Freedom Phoenix is known for.
Outside of the office, Zarina enjoys traveling, cooking, spending time with her five dogs, and building her vegan food business.
Claudia Arias
Tax Professional
Claudia Arias has been part of the Freedom Phoenix family since its beginning and brings more than 12 years of experience in tax preparation. She recently expanded her role to include bookkeeping, allowing her to support clients with both their tax needs and their ongoing financial organization.
Claudia is known for her straightforward, no-nonsense approach. She believes clients deserve honest answers and clear explanations, even when the answer isn't necessarily what they want to hear. Her ability to balance professionalism with warmth and kindness makes her someone clients can trust to give them an honest assessment of their situation.
Outside of Freedom Phoenix, Claudia holds an Associate degree in Culinary Arts and enjoys baking and selling her own baked goods. She hopes to continue growing her passion for baking into a larger business. When she's not working, she enjoys spending time with her two grandchildren and planning parties and celebrations for family and friends.
Claudia brings a unique combination of tax knowledge, practicality, and creativity to the Freedom Phoenix team.