Katherine Sumner is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license, with five years of industry experience. She has worked at Abacus Wealth Partners since 2021 and previously served in private family wealth roles and at Spotted Dog. Outside of finance, she has been involved with Girls Rock NC, Inc. Abacus Wealth Partners provides financial planning, consulting, and investment management services to individuals, families, and institutions. The firm employs an asset-class investing strategy grounded in academic research, including the use of no-load mutual funds, ETFs, and passive institutional funds, and integrates ESG screening and private pooled investments for qualified clients.

Timothy Nugent is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license with 21 years of industry experience. He is currently with SVB Wealth and has previously worked at First Citizens Bank, Fidelity, Truist Investment Services, and Wells Fargo Clearing. SVB Wealth LLC provides wealth management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm uses a documented due diligence process to select and monitor third-party managers and operates as a wholly owned, non-bank subsidiary of First Citizens Bank.

Martin Hensley is a financial advisor with Foundations Investment Advisors LLC in Durham, NC, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and 21 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at EQIS Capital Management, Capital Financial Advisory Group, J B Fitz Inc., and Brookstone Capital Management. He also engages in insurance sales through a separate business, Full Court Wealth. Foundations Investment Advisors, LLC serves individual and high-net-worth clients, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and registered investment companies. The firm offers financial planning and portfolio management through a large network of affiliated offices, utilizing a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis with both discretionary and non-discretionary authority assignments.

Edward Secrest is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with over 34 years of industry experience. He is currently with Summit Financial, LLC and has previously worked at Modern Capital Securities, Inc., Liberty Partners Financial Services, and LPL Financial, among others. Outside of advising, he is involved in product development and mentorship for Accessible AI, a firm building CRM solutions for managing 401(k) plans, where he holds an equity stake. Summit Financial, LLC is a multi-team advisory firm serving approximately 17,800 clients with $26.35 billion in assets under management. The firm offers a range of investment advisory and portfolio management programs, combining discretionary management with advisor-led consultative services.

Wilson Li is a financial advisor at Abacus Wealth Partners with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at Woodward Financial Advisors. Prior to his advisory career, he held various roles in the hospitality industry. Abacus Wealth Partners provides financial planning, consulting, and investment management services to a diverse client base, including individuals, families, and institutions. The firm follows an asset-class investing approach using primarily no-load mutual funds, ETFs, and passive institutional funds, with a focus on ESG screening and integration of private pooled investments for suitable clients.

Kenneth Duncan is a financial advisor with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 credentials and offering 30 years of industry experience. His prior roles include various positions at PNC Bank and its affiliates. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to a range of clients including individuals, trusts, municipalities, and institutions, using global multi-asset class model portfolios that combine fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis.

Gavin Speck is a financial advisor at SEIA with a Series 66 credential and has recently begun his career in the industry. His work history includes positions at SES LLC and SEIA LLC since 2024, following his time as a student. SEIA serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, retirement plans, and institutional and charitable entities through a multi-team advisory platform with approximately 140 advisors. The firm’s investment approach blends strategic macro asset allocation with tactical adjustments, supported by both discretionary and non-discretionary management, and offers a range of financial planning and consulting services.

Phillip Neuhart is a financial advisor with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 19 years of industry experience. He has been with First Citizens Asset Management since 2017 and also maintains roles with First Citizens Bank and First Citizens Investor Services. In addition to his advisory duties, he serves as a Portfolio Strategist for Institutional Business within his firm. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to a range of clients including individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, and municipalities. The firm offers global multi-asset class model portfolios through various implementation frameworks, combining fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis with strategic asset allocation and ongoing risk management.

Charles Mahaffey is a financial advisor at Franklin Street Advisors, Inc. in Chapel Hill, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 16 years of industry experience. He has been with Franklin Street Advisors since 2010. Franklin Street Advisors, Inc. provides discretionary investment management and advisory services to a range of clients including individuals, pooled investment vehicles, pensions, trusts, non-profits, and governmental entities. The firm employs an open-architecture approach that combines in-house management with external managers, guided by a quarterly Investment Policy Committee and a disciplined manager-research process.

Evan Lockwood is a financial advisor with Arkadios Wealth Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 credential and three years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he served in the Army National Guard for 11 years and worked with the Baltimore City Police Department. Outside of advising, he leads the tax division at Proximity Financial Partners and Proximity Tax Strategies, providing tax planning and preparation services. Arkadios Wealth Advisors offers investment and wealth management services to individuals, trusts, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm employs a combination of advisor-managed accounts, third-party money managers, and an internal portfolio team that supports discretionary account management through fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis.

Charles Mc Callum III is a CFP® with 27 years of industry experience, currently serving at First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. He previously held roles at Truist Advisory Services, Truist Investment Services, BB&T Securities, and SunTrust. He serves on the boards of SVB Wealth and First Citizens Asset Management. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, municipalities, and institutions, offering a range of multi-asset class portfolios monitored regularly by its board.

Todd Zempel is a financial advisor at Summit Financial, LLC with five years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked for Gordon Asset Management, LLC for 12 years. Outside of his advisory work, he is a co-managing member of Z & M Real Estate Holdings, LLC, a passive real estate investment entity. Summit Financial, LLC is a multi-team advisory firm managing approximately $26.35 billion in assets for about 17,800 clients. The firm offers investment advisory and portfolio management programs, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services through a combination of discretionary and consultative approaches.

Brent Ciliano is a financial advisor with First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. He holds the CFA® designation and Series 66 license and has 26 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Merrill Lynch Investment Managers LP and Congress Capital Partners, LLP, and he currently serves on the board of directors at First Citizens Asset Management. First Citizens Asset Management provides model-based sub-advisory and direct investment advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and public entities. The firm constructs global multi-asset class model portfolios using fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis, with investment management generally offered on a discretionary basis.

Jonathan Denton is a financial advisor at Strategic Blueprint, LLC with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Cornerstone Wealth Management and The Strategic Financial Alliance, Inc. since 2014. Strategic Blueprint, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, pension plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm delivers customized, goal-based strategies through asset allocation, portfolio design, and manager selection, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary management along with financial planning and educational programs.

Kathleen Villegas is a CFP® professional with eight years of industry experience. She currently works at Root Financial Partners and previously held roles at Ellevest and Old Peak Finance LLC. Prior to her financial advisory career, she worked at Duke University. Root Financial Partners provides investment management and comprehensive financial planning to individuals, trusts, estates, small businesses, and retirement plans. The firm emphasizes broadly diversified, passive portfolios tailored to client goals and offers specialized strategies when appropriate, along with educational programming and separate paid online academies.

Benjamin Ingram is a financial advisor at First Citizens Asset Management, Inc. with 20 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked previously at LPL Financial and Cuna Mutual Group. First Citizens Asset Management provides investment advisory and sub‑advisory services to individuals, trusts, corporations, institutional accounts, and municipal entities. The firm manages approximately $167 million on a discretionary basis through a multi‑team platform and constructs global, multi‑asset model portfolios using a combination of quantitative and qualitative criteria.

Jo Beth Mullens is a financial advisor at Verity Asset Management with two years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 credential and has worked in tax services as a tax analyst for H&R Block. Verity Asset Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individual, corporate, institutional clients, and other advisers. The firm employs a model-driven investment process focused on tactical asset allocation across diverse asset classes and offers discretionary portfolio management, retirement-plan advisory, and financial planning services.

Terrence Donoghue is a financial advisor with Founders Financial Alliance, LLC in Durham, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and over 47 years of industry experience. He has been with Founders Financial Alliance and affiliated with LPL Financial since 2016, previously working at Invest Financial Corporation and National Equities Management Co. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary, fee-based investment management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate retirement plans. The firm employs an evidence-based investment approach tailored to client goals and risk tolerances, combining asset allocation, rebalancing, and multiple strategies along with third-party manager solutions.

Lawrence Mcmanus Jr. is a CFP® professional with 22 years of industry experience, currently serving at Modern Wealth Management, LLC since 2024. His prior roles include positions at Advisory Services Network, LLC and Team Wealth Planning and Management, Inc. He serves as treasurer and finance chair on the board of directors for Carol Woods Retirement Community and holds board roles with County Hall Insurance Company. Modern Wealth Management provides investment advisory and integrated planning services to individuals, trusts, pension and retirement plans, charitable organizations, broker-dealers, and corporations. The firm employs a centralized portfolio management model supported by an Investment Committee and offers a range of services including discretionary investment management, modular financial planning, tax and estate planning, and ERISA plan services.

Gordon Wegwart is a financial advisor at Verity Asset Management with 43 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with Verity Asset Management, Inc. and related entities since 1996. Wegwart serves as an officer and director of Verity Financial Group, an insurance agency, and is a board member of PlanScope360, LLC, which focuses on retirement plan governance and administration. Verity Asset Management is a multi-team SEC-registered advisory firm with 53 advisors overseeing approximately $1.15 billion. The firm serves individuals, retirement plan sponsors and participants, institutional clients, and other advisers, employing a largely model-based investment process that includes internally managed specialty strategies and third-party manager models.