Vivek Tripathi is a financial advisor at Equitable Advisors with Series 65 and Series 63 credentials and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Equitable Advisors, he was associated with TRC Advisory and attended the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Equitable Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, retirement consulting, and various asset-management programs, utilizing both proprietary and third-party solutions delivered through a network of Investment Adviser Representatives.

Kent Bellgrau is a financial advisor with Cetera who holds a Series 66 designation and has eight years of industry experience. He has been affiliated with Cetera and its related entities since 2017 and is also a part owner of Winters & Co, LLC, an accounting and CPA firm where he is involved in tax and accounting services. In addition to his advisory role, he owns and operates Winters & Co, LLC, providing accounting services. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and advisory services through a multi-manager platform that provides access to affiliated and third-party managers, supporting both discretionary and non-discretionary account management.

Jason Erpelding is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 12 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley since 2016 and holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning supported by structured discovery processes and firm-approved tools.

Victor Giordano is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with 25 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked at Charles Schwab Bank, SSB and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. since 2018, with prior experience at TD Ameritrade and Scottrade. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary investment options supported by multi-asset model portfolios and a comprehensive alternative investments program.

Michael Bruce is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 30 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked with Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009. He is based in Barrington, Illinois. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning that utilizes structured discovery conversations and firm-approved tools, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Kariann Schuster is a financial advisor at Cetera with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and three years of industry experience. She has worked with various branches of Cetera since 2021 and previously served the Village of Round Lake Beach for nine years. Outside of advising, she serves as a volunteer committee member for Wings and as an ambassador for the McHenry Chamber of Commerce and holds a vice president role in a local networking group, Business Before Breakfast. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser offering services through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm serves individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts, providing a range of portfolio management and financial planning options within a multi-manager platform.

Earl Silver is a financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 56 years of industry experience. His prior work includes eight years at UBS Financial Services, Inc. Silver is also CEO of EIS Enterprises, Inc. and a partner in Lighthouse Racing, LLC, a business in which he holds a passive interest. Raymond James & Associates is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a broad client base, including individuals, institutions, and municipal entities, offering financial planning, advisory programs, and institutional consulting with a range of portfolio management styles and affiliated research.

Valerie Erfort is a financial advisor at UBS Financial Services with 25 years of industry experience. She has been with UBS since 1999 and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Outside of her advisory role, she manages rental property as a sole proprietorship. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients with a range of brokerage and investment advisory services, combining institutional trading capabilities and wealth management through a network of financial advisors who utilize proprietary research and model-based asset allocations.

Zachary Dalzell is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors with six years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked within the Wells Fargo organization since 2015, including roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a large broker-dealer and registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm provides a broad range of investment and financial planning services tailored to clients meeting specific net-worth thresholds, utilizing proprietary research and planning tools.

Chad Waynee is a CFA® charterholder and holds the Series 66 designation, with nine years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2016. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Matthew Wilson is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with three years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at several firms, including Foreside Fund Services, Aegon Asset Management, and Atrium Capital Advisors. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that offers a range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, including tailored financial planning and estate planning strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes structured planning tools such as Secular Return Estimates and Monte Carlo simulations to model financial outcomes.

Joseph Spiegel is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and possessing 12 years of industry experience. He has worked at J.P. Morgan Securities since 2019 and JPMorgan Chase Bank since 2017, with prior experience at BMO Harris. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence. The firm focuses on non-discretionary advice and incorporates an ESG eligibility framework in its investment recommendations.

Lissette Gomez is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She has been with Merrill since 1993 and serves as the senior partner of the GR Wealth Management Group. In her role, Lissette focuses on building long-lasting client relationships by thoroughly understanding clients' financial situations, priorities, risk tolerance, and goals. She and her team offer a comprehensive approach to wealth management, providing customized solutions and access to investment insights from Merrill and banking services through Bank of America. Her client base includes multi-generation families, corporate executives, business owners, and physicians. Lissette holds several professional designations, including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). She graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Economics from Barat College of Lake Forest, which was later acquired by DePaul University. As a Senior Portfolio Advisor in Merrill’s Investment Advisory Program, she manages custom investment strategies and selects appropriate portfolios to help clients pursue their financial objectives. Lissette resides in the Northern Suburbs with her husband and two sons. She supports various humanitarian and research organizations such as the American Cancer Society, United Way, and Special Olympics. In her personal time, she enjoys hiking, interior decorating, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Frederic Hoffman IV is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and holds a Series 66 designation. He has 13 years of industry experience and has been with Cambridge Investment Research since 2013. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in volunteer coaching with the Buffalo Grove Recreation Association and the Buffalo Grove Park District. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a diverse range of clients, including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, trusts, and estates. The firm provides financial planning, investment management, retirement plan advisory, and financial-wellness services through a network of independent professionals, offering both proprietary and third-party investment strategies tailored to client objectives.

Jeffrey Gromos is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Barrington, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials with 30 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2001. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of investment strategies and advisory services supported by a nationwide network of more than 23,700 financial advisors.

Marlo Chambers is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 33 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has previously worked at Morgan Stanley, Charles Schwab, and TIAA-CREF. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a specialized Premier Retirement Income service focused on retirement planning through written Recommendation Reports and ongoing advice. The firm’s approach includes tax-aware withdrawal strategies and asset allocation, supported by internal research and third-party data.

Johnny Johnson Jr. is an Investment Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he has been working since 2024. He previously served as a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments from 2022 to 2024. His professional background includes roles as a Financial Advisor at Thrivent Financial Services from 2020 to 2021, an Insurance Producer at THG Financial Strategies, LLC from 2018 to 2020, and a Personal Banker at JP Morgan Chase from 2003 to 2014. Johnny partners with individuals and families to develop personalized financial strategies aligned with their values and long-term objectives. He emphasizes listening, clear communication, and long-term relationship building, aiming to assist clients with retirement planning, wealth building, and navigating financial changes. Outside of his professional work, Johnny enjoys board games, family activities, fishing, football, golf, and reading.

Philipp Tippow is a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, holding a Series 66 designation and nine years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise since 2016, including both Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. and Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Tippow is also co-owner of PaxCo, a management practice unrelated to investment activities. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that provides written recommendation reports and ongoing planning advice focused on dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies for clients nearing or in retirement.

Sitalakshmi Arumugam is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 18 years of industry experience. She holds Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and has worked at JPMorgan Chase Bank NA since 2009. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, using a combination of quantitative asset-allocation modeling and centralized due diligence. The firm integrates an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations and offers services on a non-discretionary basis.

Ralph Liberatore is a financial advisor at Raymond James & Associates with 39 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and previously worked at UBS Financial Services, Inc. from 2013 to 2021. He serves as a Board of Trustee for the Village of Kildeer. Raymond James & Associates is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse client base, including individuals, institutions, and municipalities, offering financial planning, non-discretionary investment consulting, and institutional fiduciary solutions.