Stephanie Johnston is a Benefits & Planning Consultant in Executive Services at Fidelity Investments, a role she has held since 2025. Prior to this, she served as a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments from 2023 to 2024. Stephanie has been working in the financial services industry since 2008, with progressive experience including positions at Baird, Exemplar Financial Network, Ameriprise Financial, Raymond James at Blackhawk Bank, and Baird again. Her expertise includes benefits and financial planning, having held multiple consultant and specialist roles throughout her career. Stephanie is committed to partnering with clients to understand their goals and develop personalized financial plans. Outside of her professional work, Stephanie enjoys camping, gardening, military service, reading, running, and volunteering.

Thomas Barnicle is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and over 31 years of industry experience. He has held leadership roles at Barnicle & Associates, Ltd., a tax and accounting firm he founded, and serves as president of Wealth Cornerstones, Inc., a financial services company. Barnicle also owns Barnicle Financial Group, a financial services and accounting business. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC operates as a large multi-manager platform serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients with a variety of portfolio management and financial planning services. The firm offers access to both affiliated and third-party managers and manages over $256 billion in assets through a nationwide network of more than 10,000 advisors.

Juan Aranda Guillen is a financial advisor at Merrill with seven years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at JPMorgan Chase for three years before joining Merrill in 2019. Outside of his advisory role, he is an owner of Bear Mountain Pinnacle LLC, a family-managed rental property business. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies developed by internal and third-party managers.

Sharad Salvaji is a Financial Consultant currently working at Fidelity Investments since 2023. He collaborates with clients to develop customized financial plans aimed at helping them and their families achieve their financial goals. Prior to his current role, Sharad worked as a Financial Solutions Advisor at Merrill Lynch from 2018 to 2023 and as an Investment Advisor at PEB Financial from 2014 to 2016. His experience encompasses various aspects of financial consulting and advisory services.

Candace Van De Voorde is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 15 years of industry experience. She has worked at LPL Financial since 2020 and previously spent eight years at JP Morgan Securities. Candace also operates a separate advisory practice, Self/Corey Zeiger, since 2009. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Karlo Colak is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he worked at Metropolitan Capital Bank and has an educational background from Illinois Wesleyan University. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Robert Bulman is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and three years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at JPMorgan Chase Bank, J.P. Morgan Securities, and E*Trade Securities. Outside the financial sector, he has worked with several small businesses, including Vape Market LLC and Made Men Distributors, LLC. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of services including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, with advice delivered by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Kimberly Betke is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Grayslake, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 19 years of industry experience. She has been with Primerica Financial Services and PFS Investments Inc. since 2005. In addition to her advisory role, she is involved in the sale of loan products and home security and automation services through affiliated companies. Primerica Advisors provides discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, offering model-delivery strategies and selective separately managed accounts primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm curates third-party asset managers and uses a tiered wrap fee structure for its services.

Cheryl Red is a CFP® professional with 23 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Charles Schwab in South Barrington, IL. Her prior experience includes roles at TIAA and Be Incredible Coaching. She serves as president of Woodstock Professional Business Women, a nonprofit organization focused on raising scholarships for women returning to school. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth clients through its Schwab Wealth Advisory program, offering a combination of advisory, brokerage, custody, and managed-account services with an emphasis on both non-discretionary guidance and access to discretionary portfolios.

Kimberly Tuzzolino is a financial advisor at Raymond James & Associates with 26 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing and A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. Raymond James & Associates is a large broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser overseeing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse client base, including individuals, institutional clients, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning and consulting services with a focus on non-discretionary guidance supported by firm research and model manager options.

Charity Davis Lowe is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Robert W. Baird & Co. in Elgin, Illinois, where she has worked since 2015. She has 14 years of experience in the industry. Outside of her advisory role, she assists with various non-investment activities including occasional caregiving and event service roles. The DDK Group, part of Robert W. Baird & Co.’s Private Wealth Management department, serves a range of clients including individuals, corporate entities, pensions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, portfolio management, and brokerage services, utilizing a mix of manager-traded and model-traded strategies alongside internal research and strategic partnerships.

Steven Howard is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 21 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Park Avenue Securities, Guardian Life Insurance, and Northwestern Mutual Investment Management. Outside of his advisory duties, he is also the owner of Howard Farms in Maquon, IL. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and portfolio management services through a large network of advisors, utilizing both proprietary research and third-party strategies.

Stephen Middaugh is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Lakewood, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 26 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2002. Outside of his advisory role, he is a member of White Barn Door LLC. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions, supported by a large national network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Brian Jensen is a financial advisor at Edelman Financial Engines with 22 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked previously at The Mutual Fund Store and Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. Outside of advisory work, he is an investor in a legal marijuana farm and distribution business in California. Edelman Financial Engines provides technology-enabled investment advisory and financial planning services to individual investors, retirement-plan participants, and institutional clients. The firm uses a committee-driven proprietary modeling process combined with planner delivery and online tools, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary investment management options.

Paul Donato is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Elgin, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 28 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise since 2011. Outside of advising, he manages a commercial real estate office used to support his financial planning practice. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service targeted at individuals nearing or in retirement with significant investable assets, delivering written recommendations on income sources, Social Security, and tax-smart withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis, with an emphasis on assets held in Ameriprise-managed accounts and uses algorithmic automation overseen by a dedicated Retirement Income Oversight Committee.

Colleen Coonce is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding a Series 66 designation and 16 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2008. Outside of her advisory role, she works as a fitness instructor for Jazzercise. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Jane Martin is a financial advisor at Stifel with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Edward Jones Investments from 2015 to 2024. Outside of her advisory role, she is a commissioned notary. Stifel serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, and municipal entities, offering brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm uses proprietary investment analysis and allocation methodologies developed by its Investment Strategy Group to support client financial planning and asset management decisions.

Lisa Micklevitz is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. She has worked at LPL Financial since 2012 and was previously with Wells Fargo Clearing from 2008 to 2012. Outside of advisory work, she serves in a township role assisting with field inspections and property measurements. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, and institutional platforms, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Martin Lefty is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Glen Ellyn, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 43 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliate since 2015. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service tailored to individuals approaching or in retirement with substantial investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to provide written, non-discretionary Recommendation Reports, delivered by a centralized consulting team in partnership with client advisors.

Karen Kwiatkowski is a financial advisor with LPL Financial holding CFP®, Series 63, and Series 65 credentials, and has 44 years of industry experience. She previously worked at Waddell & Reed, Inc. for 39 years and has maintained tax preparation and accounting activities throughout her career. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, utilizing model portfolios, third-party subadvisors, and customized strategies, supported by technology tools for operational and research purposes.