Peter Penoyar is a financial advisor with Meridian Financial Group in Arnold, MD, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. He has worked with Westminster Financial Securities, Inc. since 2004 and has been with Meridian Financial Group since 1997. Meridian Financial Group provides investment management and financial-planning services to individuals, families, trusts, estates, small businesses, and sponsors of defined-contribution plans. The firm employs a conservative, institutionally influenced approach emphasizing strategic asset allocation and global diversification, constructing customized portfolios with a mix of passive and active investment vehicles.

Raul Sonza is a financial advisor at Cabildo Capital LLC in Washington, DC, with 24 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Cabildo Capital since 2018, following a three-year tenure at Friel Asset Management LLC. Cabildo Capital provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, tailoring investment strategies to clients' goals, time horizons, and risk tolerances. The firm uses a combination of fundamental and technical analysis with proprietary research to actively manage individualized portfolios, often under discretionary authority.

Freddie Cook is the managing member of Cook Wealth Management, LLC in Bowie, MD, with 14 years of industry experience. He holds the PFS™ designation and Series 63 and 66 licenses. Cook also operates Accurate Tax and Accounting Services, where he provides tax preparation, and is involved in insurance sales through Cook Financial Services, LLC. Cook Wealth Management, LLC is an independent advisory firm that offers financial planning and consulting, facilitating access to third-party portfolio managers rather than directly managing client assets. The firm primarily serves high-net-worth individuals and business entities, focusing on evaluating financial situations, recommending outside managers, and monitoring their performance.

Douglas Hayes is a financial advisor with Legacy Investing & Wealth Management LLC, holding a Series 65 designation and four years of industry experience. Prior to founding his firm in 2020, he worked at Rentokil from 2016 to 2020. Outside of advisory work, he owns and manages Legacy Development LLC, a company focused on residential real estate renovation and sales in the Washington, DC area. Legacy Investing & Wealth Management LLC provides discretionary asset management and packaged hourly financial advisory services to individuals and entities, including companies, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm emphasizes asset allocation and diversification using low-cost ETFs, periodic rebalancing, liquidity management, and selective hedging, serving both individual and institutional clients.

Stephen Cromwell is a financial advisor with Cromwell Investment Advisory, LLC, where he has worked since 2011. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 17 years of industry experience. In addition to his advisory role, he owns and operates Cromwell & Associates, LLC, a tax preparation and accounting business. Cromwell Investment Advisory, LLC provides investment supervisory services and financial planning primarily to individual clients. The firm combines portfolio management with integrated tax and accounting services, utilizing both charting and fundamental analysis to manage client assets directly through discretionary trading strategies.

David Ballard is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) with three years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Champion Financial Planning Group, LLC. He has been associated with Champion Planning Group, LLC since 2003. Champion Financial Planning Group, LLC provides discretionary portfolio management and financial consulting primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, focusing on tailored investment advice and ongoing account supervision. The firm employs a range of investment strategies including individual equities, corporate debt, government securities, ETFs, and mutual funds, supported by fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis.

Justin Moorhead is a financial advisor with Seslia Securities in Takoma Park, MD, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 38 years of industry experience. He has worked with Seslia Securities since 1992 and has operated related entities since 1990. Moorhead is also a licensed insurance producer with the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Seslia Securities provides investment management services to individual and institutional clients, including educational institutions, endowments, nonprofits, trusts, and corporations. The firm typically uses diversified portfolios with a 60% equity and 40% income allocation and offers portfolio monitoring under limited discretionary agreements, along with insurance products through licensed brokers.

Urenna Okoye is a financial advisor at Izuchi LLC in Beltsville, MD, holding a Series 65 designation with two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Izuchi, Okoye worked at CSP Financial Group LLC and has been involved with The Wealth Building CPA since 2018. Outside of advisory work, Okoye provides financial education through courses, speaking engagements, social media, and writing. Izuchi LLC offers financial planning and non-discretionary investment monitoring and consulting services to individuals, trusts, and estates. The firm emphasizes educational workshops and supports clients in managing self-directed brokerage accounts using fundamental and technical analysis without accepting performance-based fees.

Dewayne Ellis is the principal advisor and founder of The Wealth Syndicate LLC, an independent firm based in Silver Spring, MD. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 19 years of industry experience. Prior to establishing his firm in 2015, Ellis developed expertise in financial planning and portfolio management. Outside of his advisory role, he is a licensed insurance producer affiliated with MassMutual and serves as a general agent for Ameritas, Ohio National, and Crump, offering various commissionable insurance products. The Wealth Syndicate LLC provides ongoing portfolio management and financial planning services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, managing approximately $5.35 million in assets for about 75 clients. The firm employs a long-term investment approach combining fundamental analysis and modern portfolio theory, prepares individualized Investment Policy Statements, delivers written financial plans, and offers a paid monthly newsletter along with periodic client webinars.

Francisco Anguita Veliz is a financial advisor with Amauta Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. He founded Amauta LLC in 2015 and previously worked at LPL Financial from 2015 to 2017. Amauta LLC provides portfolio management and financial planning primarily to individual clients, including high-net-worth individuals. The firm uses a combination of fundamental and quantitative analysis, offering discretionary portfolio management and fixed-fee financial plans while serving a geographically diverse client base, including a significant proportion of non-U.S. clients.

Christine Mistr is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with 19 years of industry experience. She has been with Dominion Financial Consultants, LLC since 2006. Dominion Financial Consultants provides comprehensive financial planning and wealth management services to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, nonprofits, corporations, and small businesses. The firm combines investment advisory, accounting, and legal/tax services, offering diversified asset allocation and business consulting tailored to a small client base.

George Zhuang is a financial advisor with A.G. Advisory Firm, LLC, holding a Series 65 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Thrivent Advisor Network, BMO, the Federal Reserve Bank, Plains Commerce Bank, and the Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine. He is also a licensed insurance agent, dedicating part of his time to insurance sales and implementation. A.G. Advisory provides discretionary investment management services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and businesses, offering customized portfolios that include ETFs, mutual funds, stocks, and bonds. The firm sponsors a wrap-fee program and publishes a weekly periodical, Admiral Guy, delivering investment insights to its clients.

Mark is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional located in Edgewater, Maryland. He provides personalized financial planning and investment management services to business owners, federal government employees, and U.S. military service members. As a former federal employee and U.S. Marine, he is familiar with the challenges you face and knows how to help you reach your financial goals. Mark’s personal experiences taught him budgeting skills, saving strategies, and how to invest. He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in business administration and personal financial planning, which have equipped him with the knowledge and skills to provide comprehensive financial planning and investment management services to his clients.

Daniel Johnson is the sole advisor at Emerson James Advisors LLC, an independent registered investment adviser based in Crofton, MD. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 18 years of industry experience. Prior to founding Emerson James Advisors in 2020, he worked at firms including ON Investment Management Co, Ohio National Financial Services, and Massmutual Life Insurance Company. He also operates a sole proprietorship advising clients on insurance products such as life, health, disability, long-term care, and fixed annuities. Emerson James Advisors serves primarily individual clients and sponsors of qualified retirement plans, offering non-discretionary asset management, comprehensive financial planning, and pension consulting. The firm combines individualized investment recommendations with discretionary solutions from SEI Managed Account Solutions and third-party managers, conducting regular account reviews and providing written planning deliverables supported by online tools.

Earl King is a CFP® with three years of experience at E. Roger Financial Group, where he serves as the sole advisor. He has held roles at American Express Financial Advisors Inc. and IDS Life Insurance Company since 1998 and has worked with the District of Columbia Government since 2016 as a Business Procurement Specialist, providing guidance to small businesses on government contracting opportunities. E. Roger Financial Group offers financial planning, investment advisory, and small-business retirement plan services to individuals, businesses, trusts, estates, and nonprofits. The firm uses model-based portfolio advice with client-approved trades and provides subscription-based financial planning combined with insurance brokerage services.

Alessandro D'agaro is a CFA charterholder and principal of D'Agaro Financial Advisory LLC, an independent advisory firm based in Alexandria, VA. He has one year of experience at his current firm and previously worked for six years at Thrivent Asset Management. D'Agaro Financial Advisory LLC provides investment management and comprehensive financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients on a fee-only, fiduciary basis. The firm integrates fundamental equity analysis with Modern Portfolio Theory, primarily using passive funds and ETFs, and offers flexible planning options including project-based engagements.

Patrick Weinert is a financial advisor with The Money Mission Limited Liability Company in Washington, DC. He holds a Series 65 designation and has five years of industry experience. Prior to his advisory career, he served 20 years in the United States Marine Corps. The Money Mission LLC provides individualized financial planning and investment advice primarily through one-on-one calls and meetings, focusing on mutual funds and low-cost, index-tracking ETFs. The firm uses a flat-fee coaching model and emphasizes education by offering newsletters, books, and personalized coaching without discretionary portfolio management or custody of client assets.

Eli Weissman is a CFP® professional with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Advocate Wealth, LLC. His work history includes roles at Spire Investment Partners, Truist Advisory Services, BB&T Securities, and Alexandria Capital. He also operates as an independent insurance agent in a separate business capacity. Advocate Wealth serves individual and high-net-worth clients as well as business owners, offering discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services. The firm employs an investment approach focused on asset allocation and passive management, utilizing diversified mutual funds, ETFs, and select institutional products, and provides educational seminars and limited-scope fiduciary services.

Mary Norris is the sole advisor at MKN Wealth Management LLC in Washington, DC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 22 years of industry experience. She has led MKN Wealth Management since 2012. MKN Wealth Management is an independent registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities. The firm manages approximately $31.8 million across about 68 clients, employing both fundamental and technical analysis—including options and occasional private securities—to tailor discretionary investment strategies.

Rianka R. Dorsainvil, CFP®, is a dynamic leader and the visionary Founder and Senior Wealth Advisor at YGC Wealth, an inclusive, culturally competent and technology-forward financial planning firm. She has been celebrated as a top financial advisor for multiple consecutive years by Investopedia (most recently in 2023) and Washingtonian Magazine (most recently in 2024), as well as recognized by NerdWallet as a Black Financial Influencer to follow. Rianka is a recognized leader whose expertise is sought after both nationally and internationally. As a mother of two and an established leader, Rianka recently relaunched the firm as YGC Wealth, nodding to her roots while marking a new era of growth and service. The name YGC Wealth is both a homage to our original ethos and a representation of her evolution into a full-spectrum wealth management firm. Her approach to financial planning, deeply rooted in the empowerment of first-generation wealth-builders, transforms financial well-being into a cornerstone of personal achievement. As a past national president of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) NexGen community, Rianka has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of financial planning. Her influence extends through her active roles in CNBC's Digital Financial Advisor Council and the CFP Board’s Diversity Advisory Group. Her thought leadership has been featured across top media outlets including PBS NewsHour, Forbes, and CNBC, and she has been honored as a rising star by Investment News and one of Wealth Management’s Ten to Watch. Rianka’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in finance is unwavering. She believes that financial success should be accessible to all and that understanding and integrating one’s money culture is key to achieving sustainable financial balance. Through YGC Wealth, she continues to guide clients toward financial strategies that not only accumulate wealth but also foster a lasting, impactful legacy.