James Schmidt is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in McHenry, Illinois, holding a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. He has been associated with Cornerstone Wealth Management, LLC since 2014, operating under LPL Financial during this period. LPL Financial provides advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, institutions, and high-net-worth households. The firm offers a variety of investment solutions supported by an in-house research team and a broad platform that integrates advisory and brokerage services.

Meredith Sims is a financial advisor with CL Wealth Management LLC in Schaumburg, IL, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 63 and 65 licenses. She has 22 years of industry experience and has worked with multiple firms, including Heart Strong Wealth Planning and Onsystex. Outside of financial services, she owns Meredith Sims Creative LLC, a non-investment-related business. CL Wealth Management LLC offers portfolio advisory and financial planning services to individuals, businesses, and charitable organizations, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management approaches tailored to client objectives and risk tolerance.

David Lehenbauer is a financial advisor with Alera Investment Advisors, LLC, holding a Series 66 credential and two years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at OSAIC, Triad Advisors, and Charles Schwab, among others. Alera Investment Advisors, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, families, trusts, businesses, and institutions. The firm utilizes a combination of internal management, affiliate platforms, and independent managers to construct portfolios primarily focused on mutual funds, ETFs, equities, and fixed income with a long-term investment approach.

Cynthia Pruemm is a financial advisor at Corecap Advisors with six years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and has been associated with SIS Financial Group since 2006. In addition to her advisory role, she owns and operates an independent insurance agency serving a similar client base. Corecap Advisors provides discretionary investment and portfolio management as well as standalone financial planning services to individuals, retirement accounts, pension plans, trusts, estates, and corporations. The firm uses a relationship-oriented, individualized approach with a long-term investment horizon and employs a range of investment vehicles including mutual funds, ETFs, individual equities, and fixed income.

Anne Morrissy is a CFA® charterholder with 21 years of industry experience. She is currently with Gamco Asset Management Inc. and has been associated with Gabelli & Company, Inc. since 1999 and G.distributors, LLC since 2012. Gamco Asset Management Inc. provides discretionary investment management and sub‑advisory services to a diverse client base, including institutional investors, private clients, and less common categories such as sovereign wealth funds and banking institutions. The firm employs a value-driven investment process supported by fundamental research and offers a range of customized institutional and separate-account strategies.

Sherwin Shenfeld is a financial advisor with World Equity Group, Inc. in Schaumburg, IL, holding the PFS™ and Series 63 designations and bringing 40 years of industry experience. He has served as president of Shenfeld & Co, Ltd, a CPA firm, since 1989 and also leads Mervana, Inc., an art dealing business. World Equity Group, Inc. provides fee-based investment advisory and financial planning services to a range of clients, including high-net-worth individuals and institutional accounts. The firm offers managed portfolios through its wrap-fee program, combining discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and third-party money manager access.

Thomas Chrobak is a financial advisor at Gradient Advisors, LLC with 12 years of industry experience and a Series 65 designation. He has held roles at Gradient Advisors since 2022, and concurrently owns MC2 Wealth Management and Plan on College, where he provides financial planning and educational consulting services. Gradient Advisors, LLC delivers investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and other business entities primarily through a network of Investment Advisor Representatives and third-party money managers, using a largely non-discretionary operating model.

Stephen Meskan is a financial advisor at CL Wealth Management LLC with 36 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has held roles at several firms including Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Feltl & Company, and B. Riley Wealth Management. He also serves as president of Meskan Capital, where he educates clients on the merits of 1031 exchanges. CL Wealth Management LLC provides portfolio advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs both discretionary and non-discretionary management strategies, utilizing fundamental and technical analysis, model portfolios, and a range of mutual funds and ETFs.

Charles Svoboda is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor at CoreCap Advisors with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining CoreCap Advisors, he was associated with SIS Financial Group and UBS. His role at SIS Financial Group includes insurance and annuity sales, along with providing inside sales and operational support. CoreCap Advisors offers discretionary investment and portfolio management as well as standalone financial planning to a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals, retirement accounts, and institutional entities. The firm employs a relationship-oriented investment approach with a long-term horizon, utilizing a variety of investment vehicles and sub-advisors to manage client portfolios.

Annirose Womack is a CFP® professional with 16 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Capital Analysts. She has worked at Lincoln Investment, Astraios Financial-East, LLC, and Horace Mann Investors, Inc. Womack is also the owner of Womack Enterprises LLC, an entity used for tax and accounting purposes. Capital Analysts serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, trusts, foundations, businesses, and charitable organizations. The firm offers portfolio management, access to third-party managers, and retirement-plan advice through a combination of discretionary in-house investment management and non-discretionary advisor-managed solutions.

Braden Monahan is a financial advisor with Simplicity Wealth in Lincolnshire, IL, holding a Series 65 designation and two years of industry experience. He has worked at Simplicity Wealth since 2024 and previously held roles at Ehlert Financial Group and the University of Illinois. In addition to his advisory work, Monahan is a registered insurance agent and presents life insurance policies alongside his financial advisory services. Simplicity Wealth serves a diverse clientele including individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, corporate and institutional investors, and other financial firms. The firm employs a fund-of-funds investment approach using ETFs, mutual funds, and individual securities, offering model portfolios and discretionary management combined with technology and operational support for other advisers.

Christa Madison is a CFP® with two years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Ascentis Independent Advisors, LLC. Her prior experience includes roles at Curi RMB Capital, Sebold Capital Management, Americana Financial Group, MML Investors Services, Inc., and MassMutual Financial Group. Outside of financial advising, she is involved in officiating soccer matches and participates in a family-run craft business, Loom Designs. Ascentis Independent Advisors serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and various business entities by providing comprehensive portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement consulting. The firm employs a combination of discretionary management, third-party managers, and platform solutions, including a Private Direct Investments program, to tailor investment strategies to client objectives.

Clay Hessel is a financial advisor at Alera Investment Advisors, LLC with 31 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Securian Financial Services, Minnesota Life, Triad Advisors, and GCG Financial. He is also involved in providing life insurance and protection solutions to clients. Alera Investment Advisors, LLC offers investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, families, businesses, and institutions. The firm employs a long-term, fundamentally driven investment approach and serves both retail investors and plan sponsors with discretionary portfolio management and ERISA-focused plan services.

Mary Ehlert is a CFP® professional with 28 years of experience in the financial industry, currently affiliated with Simplicity Wealth. She has held roles at Forum Financial Management and founded Ehlert Financial Group. Ehlert is involved in several nonprofit and advocacy organizations focused on disabilities and special needs, including serving as CEO of Protected Tomorrows Inc. and participating on the boards of multiple related charities. Simplicity Wealth serves a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, and institutional clients. The firm employs a fund-of-funds investment approach primarily using ETFs and mutual funds, and offers technology and operational services to other advisers alongside its advisory solutions.

Stephen Dudas is a financial advisor at World Equity Group, Inc. with 21 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at firms including Insigneo Advisory Services, Securities America Advisors, and Triad Advisors. World Equity Group, Inc. provides fee-based investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, and business entities. The firm offers managed portfolios through its wrap-fee program, combining discretionary portfolio management with access to third-party money managers.

Eric Rosenbloom is a Senior Vice President at Alera Investment Advisors, LLC with 23 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® and Series 66 credentials. His prior experience includes roles at Securian Financial Services Inc., Minnesota Life, Triad Advisors, Inc., and GCG Financial, where he continues to serve as a financial advisor. Rosenbloom is also involved in life settlements through the Ashar Group. Alera Investment Advisors, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, families, trusts, businesses, and institutions. The firm employs a long-term, fundamental analysis-driven investment approach utilizing mutual funds, ETFs, equities, and fixed income, and offers ERISA-focused services for retirement plans.

Eric Mooney is a financial advisor at VestGen Advisors, LLC with three years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked in various roles including at Mooney Lyons Financial and Triad Advisors. Outside of his advisory work, Mooney serves as president and on the board of directors of the Naperville Networking Alliance, a community networking group. VestGen Advisors, LLC is a multi-team registered investment adviser managing approximately $3.47 billion for over 9,400 clients. The firm serves individual and high-net-worth clients with discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan services, utilizing a blend of analytical methods and third-party managers.

Alexander Marmitt is a financial advisor with Arkadios Wealth Advisors, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. His career includes roles at J.P. Morgan Securities, Robert Baird & Co., and Wintrust Investments. He is also a partner at Klestinski Rapp Marmitt Investment Counsel, where he is involved in investment management and financial planning. Arkadios Wealth Advisors is a multi-team SEC-registered firm serving individuals, trusts, businesses, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm offers customized investment strategies through a range of portfolio management programs and incorporates fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis while accommodating client-imposed restrictions.

Arthur Pedgrift III is a financial advisor with Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 32 years of industry experience. He has been with Ausdal since 2009 and is also associated with Choices Brokerage since 1997. In addition to his advisory work, he is a self-employed insurance agent focusing on life, health, disability insurance, and fixed annuities. Ausdal Financial Partners is an SEC-registered investment adviser and FINRA-member broker-dealer managing approximately $2.13 billion in client assets through a network of 152 advisors. The firm offers investment advisory programs, retirement plan services, and financial planning to individuals, trusts, corporations, pension plans, and charitable organizations, with a range of investment strategies implemented on both discretionary and non-discretionary bases.

Todd Balber is a CFP® with over 31 years of experience in financial advisory services. He has been with World Equity Group, Inc. since 1997. Outside of his primary role, he is a co-owner and partner of B&R Financial, LLC, which provides financial planning and investment advisory services along with insurance products. World Equity Group, Inc. offers fee-based investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and corporations. The firm employs a risk-tolerance questionnaire to guide asset allocation and utilizes discretionary authority granted to third-party managers and representatives for portfolio management.