Joann Allison is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2016 and also has a long-standing role at The Mail Center since 1999. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Jared Gelb is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and leads The Gelb Retirement & Advisory Team (GRAT), a multigenerational team that combines Wall Street expertise with Main Street values. He focuses on delivering retirement planning, fiduciary consulting, and portfolio design strategies tailored to individual needs. Jared is committed to simplifying the complexities of investing and wealth planning to empower clients to achieve their financial goals. With expertise in areas such as corporate benefits, education planning, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, institutional and corporate benefit services, personal retirement planning, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income, Jared provides comprehensive financial advice. He holds several professional designations, including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Jared earned his Bachelor's Degree from Indiana University and is fluent in English and Spanish. Raised in Northbrook, Illinois, he now resides in downtown Chicago with his golden setter and girlfriend. Jared values a strong sense of community and actively engages with his neighbors. Outside of his professional work, his interests include basketball, cooking, football, golfing, music, reading, and spending time with his family.

Sara Hagen is a financial advisor at Merrill with 28 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Bank of America, NA since 2009 and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith since 2006. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions, utilizing internal and third-party portfolio management teams.

Kenneth Velu is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he works closely with clients to develop tailored financial strategies that align with their short-, mid-, and long-term goals. His role involves serving as a resource for a range of financial needs, including investing, retirement planning, and unexpected savings, while also facilitating access to specialists in banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. With expertise as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), Kenneth collaborates one-on-one with clients to define their objectives and craft portfolio strategies aimed at achieving them. He provides ongoing advice and adjusts financial plans as clients' situations evolve. Kenneth holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa.

Elizabeth Edwards is a financial advisor at Merrill with 19 years of industry experience. She has held her current position since 2011. Edwards holds a Series 66 designation and is based in Northbrook, IL. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Nathan Cassel is a financial advisor with Merrill who holds the Series 66 designation and has eight years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Bank of America, N.A. since 2017 and DVSport from 2015 to 2017. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Josip Soldo is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Merrill in Northbrook, IL, bringing 23 years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill since 2002 and has also worked at Bank of America since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in managing several family-owned rental property LLCs. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers both model-based and discretionary investment strategies and serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Brie Edmunds is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She focuses on helping individuals and families achieve their financial goals through thoughtful guidance, personalized strategies, and a long-term approach to financial well-being. Brie holds several professional designations, including Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). She earned her bachelor's degree from Illinois State University.

Catherine Gathman is a financial advisor at Merrill with 18 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. She has worked with Merrill since 2006. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as the director of music at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, where she administers the music program and directs two choirs. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and charitable organizations.

Michael Benedict is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and less than one year of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Bank of America, Echo Global Logistics, PepsiCo, and Morgan Stanley. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Thomas Benedict is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he focuses on helping clients define their life goals and align their financial plans accordingly. He holds the professional designation of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and earned a Bachelor's Degree from Northwestern University. Thomas applies his expertise to assist clients in developing strategies that connect their personal aspirations with their financial objectives.

Nataliia Malysheva is a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She specializes in corporate benefits, executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, and individual and corporate investment strategies. Her mission is to transform financial complexity into clarity, confidence, and lasting wealth. Before joining Merrill Lynch, Nataliia held director-level positions at Mondelēz International and AB InBev, where she managed profit and loss, revenue strategy, and enterprise transformation across more than 15 global markets. Her core expertise includes financial strategy, profit and loss management, data-driven decision making, revenue growth, and enterprise transformation. She brings a unique perspective, having extensive experience understanding how business decisions, equity, and personal wealth intersect from the inside. Nataliia holds an MBA from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and a master's degree from Lesya Ukrainka Volyn State University. She completed accredited certificate programs at the Kellogg School of Management and Vanderbilt University. She is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Nataliia is also engaged in community involvement as a mentor with Imerman Angels and is fluent in English, Ukrainian, and Russian.

Frederick Phillips is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on providing guidance in family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, personal retirement planning, and portfolio management services. As a Senior Vice President – Wealth Management Advisor, he collaborates with clients to develop personalized financial strategies that align with their goals. Phillips holds a Bachelor's degree from Iowa State University and has earned several professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He emphasizes the importance of a disciplined investment process incorporating diversification and customized asset allocations to support long-term investment success. In addition to his professional work, Phillips serves as the Board Chair of Care For Friends and is involved with the Apalachia Service Project and the Church of the Holy Comforter. His personal interests include baseball, cooking, and golfing.

Katarzyna Cudzich is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill since 2021 and previously spent seven years at Jane's Hallmark. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Lisa Somlo is a financial advisor at Merrill with 13 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at firms including JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Northwestern Mutual. Somlo is based in Northbrook, Illinois. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

Kristie Manheim is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Merrill with 24 years of industry experience. She previously worked at Merrill Lynch for 20 years and RBC Capital Markets for one year before joining Merrill in 2022. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Candice Mclaws is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. She previously worked at Morgan Stanley for 10 years before joining Merrill and Bank of America. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Mike Karras is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a leader of the Karras Poplin Schroeder Group. He provides strategy and direction for the team, delivering customized investment approaches tailored to clients' investment preferences, risk tolerance, and time horizons within their overall wealth framework. His expertise encompasses corporate executive services, family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, and tax minimization. Mike joined Merrill Lynch in 2008 after twelve years as a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in finance from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business, where he was an Evans Scholar, a program he now supports. He holds the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) designation and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) credential. In 2022, he was named to the Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list. Outside of his professional role, Mike and his wife Sabrina live in Chicago with their three children and two chocolate labs. He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, playing and watching sports including baseball, basketball, football, and golfing. Mike is an active member of his church and supports several area nonprofits dedicated to enhancing the lives of children, as well as the Evans Scholar community.

Matthew Hines is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in the Northbrook, Illinois office. He joined Merrill Lynch in 2021, bringing experience from previous positions at Guggenheim Investments, FactSet Research Systems, and public accounting. Matthew works closely with clients to develop customized financial strategies focused on areas such as college education planning, liquidity management, small business strategies, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. Matthew holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Iowa. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and holds the FINRA Series 7, 63, and 66 registrations. He is also affiliated with the CFA Society of Chicago. Matthew resides in the western suburbs of Chicago with his family. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his son and Bernese Mountain dog, and participates in a variety of sports including baseball, basketball, football, golf, and running.

Frederick Fox is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 63 and Series 65 designations and 54 years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill since 1977 and has also worked at Bank of America, NA since 2009. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.