Steven Kellar is a CFP® with 33 years of industry experience, currently serving with HighPoint Planning Partners. He has worked previously at firms including LPL Financial, IHT Wealth Management, Sheridan Road, and Independent Financial Partners. Kellar is also licensed as an insurance agent with Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company, conducting insurance sales and implementation of insurance recommendations on a limited basis. HighPoint Advisor Group serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm provides discretionary asset management, financial planning, retirement plan advisory, and employs a range of investment strategies including fundamental analysis and diversified portfolio construction across multiple asset classes.

Cristine Marik is a CFP® and CFA® with 26 years of experience in financial advising. She has worked at Modern Wealth Management, LLC since 2025 and previously held positions at OFM Wealth, Stevens Wealth Management LLC, Leonetti & Associates, and Successful Financial Solutions Inc. Marik holds an insurance license and oversees existing life insurance and variable annuities. Modern Wealth Management, LLC is a multi-team SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $10.9 billion in assets across about 94 advisors. The firm provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and modular services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and employer-sponsored retirement plans, supported by a centralized Investment Committee and an integrated operational structure.

Kim Suchy is a financial advisor at Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc. with 19 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and Optimum Investment Advisors. Ausdal Financial Partners is an SEC-registered investment adviser and FINRA-member broker-dealer managing over $2 billion in assets. The firm offers investment advisory programs, retirement plan services, and financial planning to individuals, trusts, corporations, pension plans, and charitable organizations through a network of approximately 152 advisors.

Lori Barone is a CFP® with 28 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Silver Oak Securities, Inc. She has previously worked at Securities America Advisors, Inc. and Securities Service Network, Inc. Barone also operates Barone Financial Group, Inc., an independent financial professional firm offering investment advice and financial planning services. Silver Oak Securities, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional entities, managing approximately $2.4 billion in discretionary assets. The firm offers a variety of advisory programs focusing on discretionary, customized investment management aligned with client objectives and risk tolerances.

Jenna O'Connell is a financial advisor at Highpoint Planning Partners with 12 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at LPL Financial since 2016 before joining Highpoint Advisor Group. Highpoint Advisor Group serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm provides discretionary asset management, financial planning, retirement plan advisory, and uses a variety of investment platforms to implement client portfolios.

Matthew Schaap is a CFP® professional affiliated with Modern Wealth Management, LLC, with three years of industry experience. He previously worked at OFM Wealth and Heritage Planning Partners, and currently serves at the University of Illinois. His other business activities include oversight of existing life insurance and variable annuity policies. Modern Wealth Management is a multi-team SEC-registered adviser managing approximately $10.9 billion in assets across about 94 advisors. The firm offers investment management, financial planning, and modular services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and employer-sponsored retirement plans, supported by a centralized investment committee and a mix of strategic and tactical portfolio management.

Richard Ziemianski is a financial advisor at Kovack Advisors, Inc. with 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Kovack Advisors and Kovack Securities since 2006, following three years at Wrp Investments, Inc. He holds a Series 66 designation. Outside of advisory work, Ziemianski is the managing partner of Integrity Insurance and Financial Services, where he spends part of his time on health and life insurance. Kovack Advisors, Inc. is a multi-team registered investment adviser with approximately 260 advisors and over $6 billion in client assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, banks, and government entities, utilizing a combination of internally created models and third-party management within an Envestnet-supported workflow.

Haskel Weiss is a financial advisor at HighPoint Planning Partners with five years of industry experience. He holds the Series 65 credential and has served as president of TWG Benefits, Inc., a non-investment related business, since 1995. HighPoint Advisor Group serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate entities with discretionary asset management, financial planning, retirement plan advisory, and related services. The firm constructs client investment policies through personal consultations and implements diversified portfolios using fundamental analysis across various asset classes.

Brett Pawelkiewicz is a financial advisor with Highpoint Planning Partners and holds a Series 66 license. He has 12 years of industry experience, including roles at LPL Financial, Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, and Redwing Financial. He also provides administrative support to HighPoint Advisor Group, an independent investment advisory firm. Highpoint Planning Partners serves a diverse client base, including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm offers discretionary asset management and financial planning services, implementing portfolios through fundamental analysis and a variety of investment vehicles while utilizing third-party and LPL-sponsored platforms.

Andrew Keppy is a financial advisor at Highpoint Planning Partners with 25 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked previously at Level Four Advisory Services and LPL Financial. Highpoint Planning Partners serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm offers discretionary asset management, financial planning, retirement plan advisory, and uses a variety of investment strategies and third-party platforms to implement client portfolios.

Gary Richied is a financial advisor at Highpoint Planning Partners with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 credential and has worked at LPL Financial and HighPoint Advisor Group, LLC. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved in authoring and hosting the Hot Water History podcast and blog, which covers historical topics and film and book reviews. Highpoint Planning Partners serves individuals, pension plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm provides discretionary asset management, financial planning, retirement plan advisory, and manages wrap-fee programs, using a blend of fundamental analysis and third-party platforms to implement diversified investment portfolios.

Julia Slobodnik is a financial advisor with AdvisorNet Wealth Partners and holds a Series 66 designation. She has one year of industry experience, including prior roles at Cetera Wealth Services, Equitable Advisors, and Seven Saints. Outside of her advisory work, she also works as a server at a restaurant called Augie's. AdvisorNet Wealth Partners provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting to individuals, trusts, corporations, and qualified plans. The firm constructs diversified portfolios using a variety of investment vehicles and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary management services.

Sean Cisney is a financial advisor with HBW Advisory Services LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 22 years of industry experience. He has been with HBW since 2017. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as Treasurer for the Garden Homes Fire Protection District Volunteer Fire Department, where he manages financial reporting and tax filings. HBW Advisory Services manages approximately $1.75 billion in client assets, providing asset management, financial planning, and consulting to individuals, families, charitable organizations, and institutions. The firm employs a blended investment approach that includes tactical asset allocation and multi-manager diversification, and it services a high client load per advisor while offering sub-advisory and retirement plan subscription services.

Brendan Houlihan is a financial advisor with First Advisors National, LLC in Palos Heights, IL, holding a Series 65 designation and 10 years of industry experience. He has worked at the Illinois Department of Revenue since 2014. In addition to his advisory role, Houlihan is an independent insurance agent specializing in life and health insurance sales. First Advisors National manages discretionary assets for individual and high-net-worth clients, offering investment management, third-party portfolio recommendations, and retirement plan consulting. The firm emphasizes manager selection and monitoring, combining tactical and strategic investment approaches with fundamental analysis.

James Keller is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with 20 years of industry experience. He has been with Highpoint Planning Partners since 2013 and also affiliated with LPL Financial since 2008. HighPoint Advisor Group serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm offers a range of advisory services and constructs client portfolios using fundamental analysis across various investment vehicles, utilizing both proprietary and third-party platforms.

Sean O’Shea is a CFP® professional with 19 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Highpoint Planning Partners. He has worked with LPL Financial since 2012 and joined Highpoint Advisor Group, LLC dba McCabe Financial Group in 2025. HighPoint Advisor Group serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm offers discretionary asset management, financial planning, retirement plan advisory, and uses fundamental analysis to construct client portfolios across a range of asset classes.

William Hickerson is a CFP® professional with 35 years of industry experience. He has been with Advance Capital Management Inc. since 2000. Advance Capital Management serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, foundations, and endowments, providing discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm uses an Investment Committee to guide decisions, offers a range of strategies including direct indexing and crypto-related investments, and operates with a referral-driven distribution model.

John Duckworth is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 14 years of industry experience. He has been with High Point Planning Partners, operating as Black Diamond Planners, since 2013. HighPoint Advisor Group serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm offers discretionary asset management and financial planning, implementing portfolios through fundamental analysis and a diversified allocation across various securities and investment products.

Christopher Scott is a financial advisor at The Mather Group, LLC with nine years of prior experience at Northern Trust and two years at Edward Jones. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been in the industry for one year. The Mather Group primarily serves high-net-worth individuals, family offices, trusts, corporations, and other entities, providing comprehensive financial planning, investment management, tax and estate planning guidance, and family office services. The firm employs an evidence-based investment approach with customizable portfolio options and integrates AI and machine-learning tools while maintaining human oversight.

Kyle Buffo is a CFP® professional with 12 years of industry experience, currently with Mission Wealth Management, LP. His prior roles include positions at LPL Financial LLC, Cadaret Grant & Co., Inc., and several other firms. Outside of finance, he is also a self-employed musician. Mission Wealth Management serves high-net-worth individuals, families, and institutional clients by providing wealth management, financial planning, and investment management services. The firm employs a comprehensive approach that integrates investment management with tax, trust, philanthropy, and risk planning, utilizing both internal and third-party managers.