Could You Really Live In Panama? Come Find Out.

Kathleen has been covering this beat—researching, writing, speaking, and presenting on the opportunities for living, retiring, and investing overseas—over the past four decades.

She has moved children, staff, enterprises, household goods, and pets from the East Coast of the United States first to Waterford, Ireland… then to Paris, France… next to Panama City, Panama. Most recently, the latest stage of her life has her moving around the world regularly with Paris and Panama City as complementary home bases.

She has traveled to more than 75 countries, invested in real estate in 24, established businesses in 7, and renovated historic properties in 6. She’s written seven books (including “How To Retire Overseas”, “How To Buy Real Estate Overseas”, and “Your New Life In Panama”, published by Penguin, Wiley, and Lahardan, respectively).

She has also appeared dozens of times on television and radio (everything from Bloomberg and CNBC to Fox News and the Regis Philbin Show), detailing opportunities for living, retiring, and investing all around the world.

In other words, she knows what she’s talking about… and she is keen to help you discover your new life in Panama.

Lief Simon has lived and worked on 5 continents and traveled to more than 60 countries.

He has personally bought and sold property in 23 countries.

Lief made his first Panama purchase 20 years ago and continues shopping and buying today.

In that time, he’s covered every corner of this country. Lief knows where to buy now and how much to spend. He knows the pitfalls and the caveats and how to avoid them all.

If your Panama agenda includes any real estate or offshorer component, this is the man you want to speak with… during the event, you’ll have the chance to do just that.

Justin is an entrepreneur and global relocation strategist with Live and Invest Overseas, where he leads Expert Expat Relocations (EER), the company’s newest international relocation subsidiary.

He specializes in building clear, structured pathways for clients moving abroad, beginning with Panama Relocation Pro—EER’s complete start-to-finish pathway to residency in Panama—and expanding into future country programs, including Portugal.

With a background in law, international research, and client-driven consulting, Justin focuses on simplifying complex residency processes and delivering a smooth, organized transition to life abroad.

Adam’s passport has been stamped on five continents. A true world traveler, Adam understands the benefits of travel insurance.

Adam will be on hand to speak about your health insurance options—both before and after your move.

That includes travel insurance (of which our Events team has secured exclusive rates for you), as well as international health insurance, a must-have if you’re considering splitting your time between Spain, the United States, or another country.

Empresas Bern is the premier real estate and construction company in Panama.

Their portfolio includes a variety of residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments, and they are perhaps the biggest contributor to Panama's now-famous skyline and urban development.

Jose Manuel Bern is one of Panama’s most respected people, helping to direct the country’s development and hospitality sector. A regular lecturer at New York University and a graduate of Georgia Tech University in Atlanta, Bern has over 25 years’ managing some of Panama’s largest companies.

Jose Bern is a true insider, one of the country’s actual shaker and movers…

You’re unlikely to ever meet anyone more connected or tied into the local goings-on—at the event, you’ll enjoy an unparalleled level of local insights…

Liz is one of the most successful real estate executives in Panama with more than 13 years’ experience.

She is also a lifestyle expert posting regular blogs on her website, lizlarroquette.com, about living and thriving in her adopted country of Panama.

An Australian by birth, educated at university, Liz began her career in tourism in Latin America. Her writings are trusted and read by thousands of individuals considering moving to or investing in Panama.

Barefoot Panama is owned and operated by Kevin O’Brien, a transplant from Boston, Massachusetts, who first fell in love with adventure and professional guiding over 20 years ago.

From Alaska to Argentina, Kevin has explored nearly every nook and cranny of the Western Hemisphere, always armed with his passion for travel and a group of excited adventurers by his side.

Now a full-time resident of Panama, Kevin and his team have been showing people the time of their lives in this extraordinary country since 2002.

Philip Schlesinger is a seasoned real estate investor with projects in both Panama and Colombia. He’s also a partner in several major development ventures.

He has built strong relationships with some of Panama’s top developers and is known for structuring exclusive, insider deals for his clients. Over the years, he has also facilitated significant transactions with multinational companies operating in Panama.

He launched the James Realty Corp. in 2007 and The Panama Link in 2018.

Originally from South Africa, Mike Brown is an experienced entrepreneur and project developer with a background in mining engineering from the University of Johannesburg.

He has built and led successful ventures across industries including international finance, security, vaulting and depository services, real estate, hospitality, and telecommunications.

With a global career that’s taken him to South Africa, the UK, France, Honduras, and now Panama, Mike brings a world of expertise to everything he does.

Diana Mabel Castro Espinosa was born in David, Chiriquí, Republic of Panama. She completed her high school studies at Manchester West High in Manchester, New Hampshire, USA.

Upon her return to Panama, she enrolled at the Universidad del Istmo to study Finance and Banking. During that time, she began working at a law firm, where she remained for 23 years, acquiring extensive experience in commercial and corporate law.

Subsequently, she earned a degree in Law and Political Science from the Interamericana University of Panama.

Mike Cobb is the CEO of ECI Development and transitioned from a successful computer industry career into international real estate development. He has led the creation of master-planned communities across Latin and Central America.

ECI Development offers diverse property options, from eco-friendly homes to luxury branded residences, serving retirees, investors, and digital nomads.

ECI provides access to high-quality developments and long-term lifestyle and investment opportunities in multiple countries.

Furnishing Solutions Panama, under the management of Expat Aussie Amanda Gleeson, has been providing expats and investors in Panama with an easy way to get their new home or rental property move in ready—without having to lift a finger!

Offering a combination of fixed price Furniture Packages and Custom Services, Amanda has helped hundreds of clients to get their new Panama property set up, from empty brand new builds to older buildings needing a renovation refresh.

Appliances and AC, Furniture and Decor, even down to the small items like sheets, towels and cookware, we can do it all! Calling Panama her home since 2015, Amanda and her team at Furnishing Solutions Panama know all the ins and outs of buying furniture and home wares in Panama.

Donald Hosmer is the co-founder of Royale Energy Inc. Royale Energy is developing natural gas and oil fields throughout the major geologic basins in the United States.

Under his leadership, Royale has become one of the fastest-growing independent natural gas and oil producers that explores, develops, produces and markets natural gas and oil.

Royale Energy’s operations include acquisition of natural gas and oil production, proven reserves, and drilling of both exploratory and developmental wells using 3-D seismic imaging.

Khan has been in the technology field for more than 15 years and has strategy and finance experience with Deloitte Consulting and Goldman Sachs. He also worked to transfer U.S. Department of Energy National Lab technology to the private industry and was selected as one of the 15 CEOs to participate in a US Presidential Trade Mission.

Khan has invented four US patents, holds a BA degree from Wesleyan University, an International Certificate from Georgetown University School of Business and an MBA degree from the Wharton School.

Al Mignone has more than 30 years of experience in the collectible industry. His experience ranges from Sports Collectibles to Numismatics and Precious Metals.

Along with his team, Al has been able to help thousands of clients improve the value of their financial portfolios.

His professional goal has always been to educate clients on how to reap the rewards of the Alternative Investment Industry, specifically Numismatics.

Aisha is a civil engineer and former wastewater utility director who left her career at 46 to embark on a life-changing sabbatical that may have turned into early retirement.

She is now the creator of the YouTube channel Abroad Ability, where she shares insights on living abroad in Panama, navigating life as an expat, and traveling with cerebral palsy.

Through her inspiring journey, Aisha helps others envision a fulfilling life overseas.

Ryan is a global operations expert and seasoned entrepreneur with decades of experience leading projects across 12+ countries—from offshore oilfields and phoenix tourism to security zones, and hardwood mills.

Now managing Teak Craft Solutions in Panama, he combines strategic vision with hands-on expertise, sharing practical insights on building generational wealth through teak investment and navigating the expat journey as a modern emigrant father.

Vincenzo Villamena is the founder of Online Taxman, specializing in International Accounting and Tax Services for expats who want straightforward and transparent solutions.

Online Taxman professional CPAs help you navigate the confusing world of expat taxes, ensuring you IRS compliance and maximized returns.

He started to do Expat Accounting and Tax Services in 2005 to help a few close expat friends with their taxes. Since then, with 700+ happy clients around the world, Online Tax Man has become the go-to source for international tax support.

Ariel Weinmann-Rubino moved to Panama City from Los Angeles with his wife Jennifer in 2017. In 2018 they opened an English school with students throughout Latin America, Russia, the Middle East, and China.

He is a graduate of Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia, Spain, holding a Master of Business Administration.

He is a member Congregación Kol Shearith Israel, Ancon Lodge, A.F. & A.M., and Abou Saad Shriners.