Sam Schwartz is a CFP® professional based in Highland Park, IL, with nine years of industry experience. He currently works at Farther and has previously been with Anchor Pointe Wealth Management, AssetMark Financial, and State Street Bank. Farther provides discretionary investment management and advisory services primarily to individual investors, trusts, and estates through a web and mobile platform alongside in-person meetings. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory-based approach using proprietary model portfolios and algorithmic rebalancing, with investments in ETFs, mutual funds, equities, and fixed income, supported by AI tools and advisor judgment.

Lynn Zak is a financial advisor with Fifth Third Securities, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and over 22 years of industry experience. She has been with Fifth Third Securities since 2002 and is also affiliated with Fifth Third Bank, where she has worked since 1982. Fifth Third Securities provides brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate clients, and institutional investors through its Passageway Managed Account Program. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account options and features such as direct indexing and tax-overlay services, operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fifth Third Bank.

Erin Sheahan is a financial advisor at Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. She holds a Series 66 designation and recently began her career in the industry. Prior to joining Mesirow, she held roles in education and hospitality. Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. offers investment management and financial planning services to private individuals, institutional clients, and government entities. The firm uses both proprietary and third-party products, applying quantitative and qualitative due diligence to construct diversified portfolios across various asset classes.

Donald Baran is a financial advisor with TLG Advisors, Inc. holding a Series 66 license and five years of industry experience. His professional background includes roles at The Leaders Group Inc., FSG, Pizza Hut, Edward Jones, Weiman Products, and EMCO Chemical Distributors. He also works as an insurance wholesaler for fixed insurance products directly with financial advisors through FSG. TLG Advisors, Inc. serves a wide range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, pension and retirement plans, and other institutional investors. The firm focuses on manager selection and ongoing portfolio monitoring using fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory, offering services through independent representatives, sub-advisors, and a direct-to-consumer digital program called Starlight Portfolios.

Steven Zendel is a financial advisor at William Blair with 10 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at William Blair since 2018, following seven years at Citadel LC. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, and institutional clients. The firm emphasizes active, research-driven management across multiple asset classes and provides proprietary models and access to private funds and co-investment opportunities.

Eric Eimen is a financial advisor at William Blair with five years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials. Prior to joining William Blair in 2022, he worked at BMO Private Bank from 2011 to 2022. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division offers investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension, and corporate clients. The firm employs an active, research-driven approach across multiple asset classes and provides clients access to proprietary models, third-party sub-managers, and private investment opportunities.

Quinn Schneider is a financial advisor at Beacon Pointe Advisors, LLC with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 credential and has previously worked at Altavista Wealth Management Inc. and Mission Health. Beacon Pointe Advisors provides wealth advisory, financial planning, retirement-plan platform services, and outsourced chief investment officer services to individuals, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm combines asset-allocation modeling with third-party independent managers and employs both active and passive investment strategies across public and private asset classes.

Dominic Defazio is a CFP® with 20 years of industry experience, currently serving at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. since 2011. He is also the owner of Aqua Body Floats, a business focused on designing upholstery for recreational activities. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. provides brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate and business clients, and institutional investors. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account programs with features such as direct indexing and tax-overlay services, distinguishing itself through its municipal-advisor registration and affiliation with Fifth Third Bank.

Todd Bessey is a CFP® with 31 years of industry experience and is currently affiliated with Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC. He previously worked at Wayne Hummer Investments for 17 years before joining Integrated Wealth Concepts in 2021. Integrated Wealth Concepts serves individuals, families, trusts, estates, businesses, and retirement plans through a network of independent financial advisors. The firm offers discretionary investment management, financial planning, family office and retirement plan advisory services, and sponsors wrap-fee programs, focusing on customized portfolios that combine internal management and third-party asset manager oversight.

James Gaines is a financial advisor at Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. with 14 years of industry experience. He has been with Mesirow Financial since 2015 and holds the Series 66 designation. Mesirow Financial Investment Management’s Wealth Management division serves private individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, governmental entities, charitable organizations, and institutional clients. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment management and financial planning, utilizing both third-party managers and proprietary private investment products tailored through quantitative and qualitative due diligence.

Jennifer Merida is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with 17 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at firms including 818 Capital Group, Money Concepts Capital Corp., ADP, and BMO Harris Financial Advisors. Outside of her advisory role, she is a 2% owner and performs back-office work for Kaidence Chiropractic & Wellness, a business owned by her husband. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management services primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage clients. The firm integrates its services with Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms, focusing on long-term portfolio returns and participant savings rates.

Michael Williams is a CFP® and CFA® with 28 years of experience in the financial industry. He has been with MAI Capital Management, LLC since 2021 and previously worked at Cetera Financial Specialists LLC and Hochman Cole Financial Services, Inc. MAI Capital Management, LLC offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, integrated wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and family-office services to a diverse client base including high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, sports professionals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm manages $72.3 billion in assets and provides customized portfolio management across various strategies, integrating financial planning and other services to meet client objectives.

Janice Carlisle is a financial advisor at Money Concepts Capital Corp with 21 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with Money Concepts since 2005. In addition to her advisory role, she sells Medicare supplement insurance through various carriers. Money Concepts Advisory Service provides portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm uses a combination of model portfolios, advisor-designed strategies, and third-party sub-advisers, applying fundamental and technical analysis along with modern portfolio theory.

Robert Weis is a CFP® with 32 years of industry experience. He is currently with &Partners, joining the firm in 2024 after previous roles at Wells Fargo Advisors and Wells Fargo Clearing. Weis is also president of Robert Weis Wealth Management Services, Ltd., an entity he uses to manage office expenses for his practice. &Partners serves a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm offers investment management, financial and tax planning, and ERISA consulting, employing a range of analysis techniques and combining proprietary and third-party strategies.

Thomas Marx is a financial advisor at William Blair with 40 years of industry experience. He has been with William Blair & Company L.L.C. since 1995. Marx holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division provides investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension, and corporate clients. The firm employs active, research-driven management across multiple asset classes and offers proprietary model portfolios and access to private funds through its integrated platform.

Robert Samson is a financial advisor at &Partners with 30 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked previously at Wells Fargo Advisors, Wells Fargo Clearing, LPL Financial, Stratos Wealth Partners, and Ampersand Partners. Samson serves as a FINRA arbitrator outside of his advisory role. &Partners serves a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, and institutional clients. The firm offers investment management and financial planning services using a combination of proprietary and third-party strategies, with discretionary and non-discretionary options supported by Envestnet and NFS brokerage platforms.

William Robbins II is a financial advisor with Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 29 years of industry experience. He has been with Mesirow Financial since 1998 and also has a long-standing affiliation with the University of Iowa beginning in 1993. Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc.’s Wealth Management division provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management and financial planning services to a range of clients including private individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, government entities, charitable organizations, and institutional clients. The firm employs a disciplined process involving Investment Policy Statements, asset allocation targets, and due diligence across various asset classes, and offers access to proprietary private investment products and third-party managers.

Lee Gordon is a financial advisor at Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. with 39 years of industry experience. He has been with Mesirow Financial since 1992 and holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Mesirow Financial Investment Management’s Wealth Management division provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, government entities, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes both third-party managers and proprietary private investment products, employing quantitative and qualitative due diligence across various asset classes and may engage sub-advisors for specialized strategies.

Mariusz Niedbalec is a financial advisor at William Blair with 26 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been with William Blair & Company since 2005. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division offers investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension, and corporate clients. The firm employs an active, research-driven approach across multiple asset classes, providing proprietary models and access to private funds and co-investment opportunities.

Kelly Tischart is a financial advisor with The Huntington Investment Company and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. She has 34 years of industry experience, having worked previously at LPL Financial and Ameriprise Financial Services. Outside of her advisory role, she is associated with a retail business specializing in collectible merchandise such as baseball cards and coins. The Huntington Investment Company serves individuals, charitable organizations, corporations, and other business entities by offering advisory and brokerage services through multiple wrap-fee programs on the Envestnet MAS platform. The firm uses an open-architecture model that includes third-party sub-managers and proprietary Private Bank models, providing portfolio management and related services primarily through percentage-of-assets wrap fees.