Paul Lafollette III is a CFP® with 14 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Intelligent Investor Financial Planning, LLC in San Francisco, CA. He previously worked at Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. from 2012 to 2016. Mr. Lafollette holds a California Life and Health insurance license, which he uses exclusively to provide education and advice without earning commissions. Intelligent Investor Financial Planning serves individual clients, including higher-net-worth households, and small businesses by offering comprehensive financial planning and investment consultation across various areas such as retirement, tax, estate, education, and cash-flow analysis. The firm combines a wrap-fee investment program with a core-and-satellite approach to portfolio management predominantly on a non-discretionary basis and provides complimentary educational workshops on personal finance and investing.

Robert Shaye is a CFP® and principal of Fireside Finances with seven years of industry experience. He has worked at FutureAdvisor, Inc. and served in the United States Coast Guard Reserve. Since 2023, he has also been a faculty member at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, teaching personal finance. Fireside Finances provides employee financial wellness programs, public seminars, and hourly financial planning and investment consulting. The firm emphasizes education and consulting without managing client assets, focusing on diversification, low-cost funds, fee minimization, and tax awareness.

Hasnain Karim is a CFA® charterholder and the sole advisor at Kilimanjaro Capital, LLC, an independent firm based in San Mateo, CA. He has 16 years of industry experience and has been with Kilimanjaro Capital since 2009. Kilimanjaro Capital manages discretionary investment accounts primarily for individuals using two principal strategies: a long/short strategy and a long-only strategy. The firm employs an opportunistic, value-oriented approach that includes hedging, derivatives, and short-selling in its long/short strategy, with a focus on securities trading below intrinsic value and a typical investment horizon of one to five years.

I'm the founder of Jane Financial in Oakland, CA. I work with tech professionals who need help with their stock options and RSUs. The typical Jane Financial client is a Director or VP in Big Tech or a late-stage startup on the cusp of an IPO. Does this sound like you? "This is my first job in tech, and I don't know what to do with my RSUs" "My company is preparing to IPO. What should I do to get ready?" "How does the tax part work?" "I’m excited but I don't want to blow this opportunity – help!” I help tech professionals figure out when to exercise options, sell shares, and plan for taxes. What’s even more important is deciding what to do with the money. Money is a tool to help you flourish and stay resilient. Financial freedom comes from what you do next. A windfall from stock options and RSUs opens a world of possibilities, which I’ll help you navigate. I'm a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional (CFP®). I previously worked at Aspiriant, a leading independent wealth management firm, serving corporate executives who needed help with their stock options and RSUs. I also have professional experience at the Social Security Administration, and Vanguard. I obtained an AB in Chemistry from Bryn Mawr College, and an MBA in Finance and Economics from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Alfredo Banuelos is a financial advisor at Atlas Financial LLC with 17 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked for JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and J.P. Morgan Securities for 14 years. Banuelos is involved in real estate through several LLCs that he owns or partners in. Atlas Financial LLC provides portfolio management, financial planning, and pension consulting services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm offers educational seminars and combines fundamental analysis with modern portfolio theory, focusing on diversified, long-term investment strategies.

Julie Brim is a financial advisor at Spiegelman Wealth Management, Inc. in Walnut Creek, CA, with 24 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has previously worked at Commonwealth Financial Network and Northwestern Mutual in various capacities over a combined 18 years. Spiegelman Wealth Management, Inc. provides personalized investment management and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, foundations, retirement plans, and corporations. The firm employs fundamental analysis and client-specific asset allocation guidelines across a mix of mutual funds, ETFs, individual stocks, and bonds.

William Tom is a CFP® professional with 11 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with American Investors Company. He has worked at American Investors Company since 2014 and is also a partner at Mosher Financial Advisors, LLC, where he focuses on financial planning, research, and investment processing. American Investors Company provides investment advisory, financial planning, 401(k) advisory, and asset supervisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm combines advisory and brokerage activities through a multi-advisor structure and manages approximately $578 million in client assets.

Shawn Tydlaska is a CFP® professional with 10 years of industry experience. He is currently with Tessara Wealth in Burlingame, CA, and previously worked for Ballast Point Financial Planning, LLC for eight years. Tessara Wealth serves individual and high-net-worth clients with comprehensive financial planning, portfolio management, and tax planning services. The firm emphasizes passive portfolio construction using low-cost index funds and ETFs, often managing accounts non-discretionarily through Betterment while providing modular ongoing financial planning and tax-return preparation.

Daniel Binn is a financial advisor with Private Portfolios, Inc. in San Mateo, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 33 years of industry experience. He has worked with Private Portfolios since 2000 and Securities America, Inc. from 2000 to 2024. In addition to his advisory role, he is involved in insurance sales, including variable and indexed annuities. Private Portfolios, Inc. offers fee-based investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, pension plans, and corporate clients. The firm emphasizes diversified portfolios through model asset allocation and individualized discretionary management, operating a sponsored wrap-fee Wealth Management Platform and providing specialized educational workshops.

Maria Valencia is a Series 65 licensed financial advisor with three years of industry experience, currently serving at Shum Financial Group, Inc. in Alameda, CA. Her prior work includes roles at Brown Sugar Kitchen, Tulane University, and Los Andes University. Shum Financial Group provides fee-based investment management, financial planning, and retirement-plan services to individuals, businesses, and charitable organizations. The firm employs fundamental analysis and documented investment policies to guide portfolio management, offering discretionary and non-discretionary services that include strategies such as option-writing and use of derivatives.

William Catton is a CFA® charterholder with three years of industry experience. He is currently an advisor at Catton Capital Partners, LLC, where he has worked since 2025. Prior to this, he held roles at Bank of America, N.A. and Merrill. Catton Capital Partners, LLC provides discretionary asset management, portfolio management, and retirement plan consulting for individuals, trusts, pension plans, and business entities. The firm employs a range of strategies including fundamental and technical analysis, with investment options spanning equities, fixed income, alternative investments, and more, and maintains a high-touch, concentrated client focus.

Shannon Lemon is a CFP® professional with 14 years of experience at Elmwood Wealth Management in Berkeley, CA, where she has worked since 2012. Elmwood Wealth Management serves individuals, high-net-worth households, trusts, foundations, donor-advised funds, and retirement plans with discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management and financial planning. The firm employs a total-return, open-architecture investment approach that combines active equity selection, diversified fixed-income allocations, thematic and international exposure, and integrates private fund investments for suitable accredited clients.

Jackie Kleinman is a CFP® with 10 years of industry experience, currently serving at KB Financial Advisors LLC in San Francisco, CA. She has worked at KB Financial Advisors since 2002. KB Financial Advisors serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and estates with investment advisory services and financial planning. The firm offers distinct service models tailored to clients at different stages of wealth, including annual tax-return preparation as part of its service packages.

Harish Prabandham is a financial advisor at Rubric Advisors LLC with Series 65 credentials and over two decades of industry experience, including prior roles at Radiant Global Investors and Axa Investment Managers. He engages in consulting activities related to technology and finance and serves on the Board of Directors of the St. Francis Foundation, as well as volunteering with the UC Berkeley SkyDeck program. Rubric Advisors LLC manages approximately $28.4 million in assets and serves a small client base through discretionary and non-discretionary asset management, financial planning, and institutional advisory services. The firm employs a combined quantitative and fundamental investment approach with access to alternative investments for qualified clients and offers model portfolio licensing, sub-advisory services, and a Digital Advisor platform.

Ivan Gvardin is a financial advisor at Vega Capital Group LLC with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has prior work experience at Keller Williams and as a self-employed professional. Outside of finance, Gvardin works as a personal trainer and social media manager. Vega Capital Group provides discretionary investment management primarily to individual clients, including high net worth individuals, as well as corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a combination of fundamental and technical analysis with dynamic allocation strategies across equities and fixed income to manage market risk.

James Licosati is a financial advisor at Alder Capital with one year of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has prior work history at LPL Financial LLC and DeVoe & Company. Alder Capital is an SEC-registered advisory firm serving high-net-worth individuals, family offices, trusts, estates, and institutions with discretionary wealth management, investment management, and financial planning. The firm employs a long-term, fundamentally driven investment approach and actively manages a related private fund while emphasizing client engagement and oversight of independent managers.

Samuel Hong is a financial advisor at Asia Global Asset Management, Inc. with 12 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 credential and has worked at firms including Liontree Advisors LLC and Molten, Inc., where he currently serves as Head of Growth Strategy. In addition to his advisory role, he operates a part-time independent life and health insurance business outside of securities trading hours. Asia Global Asset Management serves individuals and various institutional clients by providing financial planning and facilitating relationships with third-party investment advisers. The firm does not manage assets directly but focuses on selecting and monitoring independent managers through a structured discovery and review process.

Michael Kinstlick is a CFA® charterholder and an advisor at Lahontan Capital LLC with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Lahontan Capital, he worked at JUST Capital and SASB (/IFRS). He is also involved with Coppersea Distilling, a business he has been part of since 2011. Lahontan Capital is a fee-only registered investment adviser serving individual and high net-worth investors with wealth management, discretionary portfolio management, and financial planning services. The firm combines passive and active investment vehicles and incorporates ESG considerations according to client preferences.

Nicholas Ventimiglio is a financial advisor at Giving Tree Wealth Advisors with 24 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at firms including Fortune Financial Services, Inc., and First Allied Securities, Inc. He is a co-founder of a financial software company called Trade Wrangler, Inc., which is currently in development. Giving Tree Wealth Advisors is a two-advisor firm managing approximately $138 million for around 217 clients, including individuals, qualified retirement plans, and charitable institutions. The firm employs model-based asset allocations with a range of investment vehicles and offers discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and ERISA 3(21) fiduciary services.

Mark Pingree is a CFP® professional with 11 years of experience in financial advising. He has been with Fog City Advisors, LLC since 2017 and previously worked at Carlson Financial Advisors for one year. Fog City Advisors is a fee-only firm offering holistic financial planning and investment management to individuals, families, trusts, non-profits, and business entities. The firm uses a long-term, strategic asset allocation approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory, employing broadly diversified, low-cost funds with discretionary trading authority to implement agreed investment policies.