Bradley Karkula is a CFP® with 17 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with Calamos Wealth Management LLC and Calamos Financial Services LLC, having previously worked at Citibank, Morgan Stanley, and J.P. Morgan in various capacities. Calamos Wealth Management LLC provides discretionary wealth management and institutional advisory services to high-net-worth individuals, family offices, endowments, private foundations, and retirement plans. The firm’s investment process involves rigorous idea sourcing, evaluation, and portfolio construction, often utilizing affiliated Calamos Funds and investment vehicles within a comprehensive governance framework.

Christopher Peterson is a financial advisor at Highpoint Planning Partners with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked for St. Charles Bank & Trust Company N.A. for ten years before joining Highpoint Advisor Group and LPL Financial in 2024. Highpoint Advisor Group serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm offers discretionary asset management and financial planning services, constructing client investment policies through personal consultations and implementing portfolios using fundamental analysis across a range of securities and third-party platforms.

Michael Manno is a financial advisor with World Equity Group, Inc. in Schaumburg, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 42 years of industry experience. He has been with World Equity Group since 2003. World Equity Group, Inc. provides fee-based investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and other business entities. The firm offers managed portfolios through its Adhesion Money Management wrap-fee program and related advisory programs, combining discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers.

Callie Just is a financial advisor with HighPoint Planning Partners and holds a Series 66 credential. She has nine years of industry experience, including prior roles at PPM America, Inc., Jackson National Life Distributors LLC, and Merrill. Outside of her advisory work, she owns Just Chic LLC, an event design and planning business. HighPoint Advisor Group serves a diverse client base including 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 manages a wrap-fee program, constructing client portfolios through fundamental analysis across various investment vehicles.

Craig Wenger is a CFP® professional with 22 years of industry experience, currently serving at Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc. since 2009. Prior to that, he worked at Financial Planning Consultants from 2000 to 2017. He also serves as treasurer for the Hawthorne Place Condo Association in Chicago. Ausdal Financial Partners manages over $2 billion in client assets and offers investment advisory programs, retirement plan services, and financial planning to individuals, trusts, corporations, pension plans, and charitable organizations. The firm provides a range of investment strategies through both discretionary and non-discretionary accounts and combines advisory, brokerage, and insurance services.

Gary Richards is a CFP® professional with 32 years of experience at World Equity Group, Inc., where he has worked since 1994. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Richards is also involved as a co-owner of B&R Financial, a financial planning and investment advisory practice. World Equity Group, Inc. provides fee-based investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm offers managed portfolios through its wrap-fee program and discretionary third-party money management, utilizing risk-tolerance assessments to guide asset allocation.

Robert Davit is a financial advisor at Gladstone Wealth Partners with 32 years of industry experience. He previously worked at UBS Financial Services from 2009 to 2021 and has been with Gladstone and LPL Financial since 2021. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Gladstone Wealth Partners serves individuals, corporations, pension and profit-sharing plans, and charitable organizations through a network of nearly 100 investment adviser representatives. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to various investment solutions, with a focus on integrating retirement-plan services and institutional manager relationships.

Lissette Strefner is a financial advisor with World Equity Group, Inc. in Schaumburg, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 23 years of industry experience. She has been with World Equity Group since 2015 and has previously been associated with AIG American General Life Insurance Company since 2002. Outside of her advisory role, she operates a small hobby business reselling used clothing online. World Equity Group, Inc. provides fee-based investment advisory and financial planning services to a range of clients including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm offers managed portfolios through its wrap-fee program, combining discretionary portfolio management with access to third-party money managers and employs a risk-tolerance questionnaire to guide asset allocation.

Chloe Fakhouri is a CFP® with five years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at JMG Financial Group Ltd in Downers Grove, IL. Prior to joining JMG Financial Group, she worked at Itasca Bank & Trust and was also employed by Depaul University. Outside of her financial advisory role, Chloe is a fitness instructor for Pike Lagree, a fitness center offering Lagree-style classes. JMG Financial Group provides comprehensive wealth management and consulting services to individuals, trusts, retirement plans, business entities, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a planning-based, long-term investment approach focused on strategic asset allocation and offers services including portfolio management, tax consulting, and access to private investment opportunities.

Joseph Fortunato is a financial advisor with HighPoint Planning Partners in Downers Grove, IL, holding the CFP® and ChFC® designations and securities licenses Series 63 and 66. He has 21 years of industry experience and previously worked at firms including Vantage Financial Partners Limited, HighTower Advisors LLC, and Guardian Life. HighPoint Planning Partners serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm offers discretionary asset management, financial planning, retirement plan advisory, and uses a diversified investment approach including mutual funds, ETFs, equities, debt securities, REITs, options, and third-party platforms.

Michael Smith is a financial advisor with HighPoint Planning Partners in Downers Grove, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 registrations and bringing 26 years of industry experience. He has been with HighPoint Planning Partners since 2016 and has been affiliated with LPL Financial since 2015. HighPoint Planning Partners serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm offers discretionary asset management and financial planning, implementing portfolios through personal consultations and fundamental analysis across various asset classes, while utilizing third-party and LPL-sponsored platforms to provide consolidated advisory services.

Shawn Wears is a financial advisor with Capital Analysts, holding the CFP® designation and Series 63 and 66 licenses, and has 19 years of industry experience. He has worked at Lincoln Investment since 2014, with prior roles at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Guggenheim Investments, and Rydex Advisory Services. Outside of his advisory work, he is the president of Wears Financial Corp and serves as financial secretary for the McWhinney Benevolent Association. Capital Analysts provides portfolio management and retirement-plan advice to a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, trusts, foundations, businesses, and charitable organizations. The firm employs both discretionary and non-discretionary investment management strategies and offers access to third-party managers through a nationwide network of independent advisors.

Jonathan Miller is a financial advisor at Encompass More Asset Management LLC with five years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at Verity Asset Management and Appreciation Financial. Outside of advisory work, he is involved with ERC Specialists, LLC, providing business consulting services to owners in Bartlett, IL. Encompass More Asset Management LLC offers discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement model services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs model-based strategies combining proprietary models and third-party sub-advisers, managing a range of investment options including equities, fixed income, mutual funds, ETFs, private placements, and digital-asset related exposures.

Barry Link is a financial advisor with World Equity Group, Inc. in Schaumburg, IL, holding a Series 63 designation and 48 years of industry experience. He has worked at World Equity Group since 2001 and operates Link Diversified Services, which he started in 1982. Outside of advising, he is involved as an independent contractor with Abacus Life Settlements, assisting with policy evaluations and transactions for senior clients. World Equity Group, Inc. provides fee-based investment advisory and financial planning services to a range of clients, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm offers managed portfolios through its Adhesion Money Management wrap-fee program and utilizes third-party managers to implement asset allocation models based on client risk tolerance.

Jaclyn Garcia is a CFP® with 10 years of industry experience and has been with JMG Financial Group Ltd since 2015. She serves as a manager of Glass Pumpkin Vineyard, LLC, a vineyard business unrelated to investments. JMG Financial Group Ltd provides comprehensive wealth and portfolio management to individuals, trusts, retirement plans, business entities, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a planning-based, long-term approach with strategic asset allocation and offers tax consulting and access to private investment funds.

Michael Rohrwasser is a CFP® with 39 years of experience in the financial industry. He is currently with Highpoint Planning Partners and was previously with VANTAGE FINANCIAL PARTNERS Limited for 35 years. Highpoint Planning Partners serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm provides discretionary asset management, financial planning, retirement plan advisory, and uses a range of investment vehicles and third-party platforms to implement client portfolios.

Jeffrey Cismoski is a CFP® with 12 years of industry experience. He is currently with Ascentis Independent Advisors, LLC, where he has worked since 2026. Prior to this, he held positions at ORG Partners LLC, WealthShield Partners, LLC, Cresset Asset Management, LLC, and Evanston Investments Inc DBA Evanston Advisors. Ascentis Independent Advisors serves individuals, trusts, estates, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities, providing asset management, comprehensive portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm customizes investment advice based on client objectives and employs a combination of discretionary management, third-party managers, and platform solutions, including a Private Direct Investments program for allocating clients to illiquid private funds.

Joseph Esposito Jr. is a financial advisor at VestGen Advisors, LLC with 34 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 registrations and has worked at firms including Commonwealth Financial Network, Ek&A, and Mass Mutual Investors Services. In addition to his advisory role, he is involved in fixed insurance products. VestGen Advisors provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, small businesses, trusts, and pooled investment vehicles. The firm combines advisor-level client relationships with centralized portfolio construction and serves a diverse client base that includes other investment advisors and institutional clients.

Jacob Stanczyk is a CFP® and Series 66-licensed financial advisor with six years of industry experience. He is currently with JMG Financial Group Ltd and has previously worked at The Advocate Group, LLC, Carlson Holdings Inc., Accredited Investors Inc., MD Financial Advisors / Vestment Financial, and Ameriprise. JMG Financial Group advises individuals, trusts, retirement plans, business entities, and charitable organizations with comprehensive wealth management, portfolio management, and financial consulting services. The firm employs a planning-based, long-term investment approach focused on strategic asset allocation and offers in-house tax consulting as well as access to private investment fund opportunities.

Robert Devita is a financial advisor with Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 37 years of industry experience. He has been with Ausdal Financial Partners since 2010. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in an outside insurance brokerage focusing on fixed annuities and fixed life insurance. 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 about 152 advisors. The firm offers investment advisory programs, retirement plan services, and financial planning to individuals, trusts, corporations, pension plans, and charitable organizations, employing a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies.