Jacob Stevenson is a financial advisor with Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc., holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and bringing 15 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Larson Financial Securities, LLC and Larson Financial Group, LLC from 2015 to 2022. Outside of his advisor role, Stevenson is involved in insurance sales as an agent and partner at Mint Hill Insurance. Ausdal Financial Partners serves individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, and business entities, managing approximately $3.73 billion for over 16,000 clients. The firm offers a range of services including advisor-managed accounts, separately managed accounts, unified managed accounts, and retirement-plan advisory, with investment strategies tailored at the advisor level based on client-specific goals and risk profiles.

Michael Ziemer is a CFP® professional with 23 years of experience in the financial advisory industry. He has worked at Modera Wealth Management, LLC since 2023 and previously spent 19 years at Parsec Financial Management, Inc. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a board member for Ziemer Funeral Homes. Modera Wealth Management, LLC provides fiduciary, fee-only advisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs an allocation-driven investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory and offers a range of services including portfolio management, retirement plan consulting, financial planning, and tax-related services.

Sarah Khan is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Ally Invest Advisors in Charlotte, NC, where she has worked since 2021. She has five years of industry experience, including six years at Grant Thornton prior to joining Ally Invest. Khan also holds a regulatory oversight role supporting compliance functions across Ally Invest Advisors and Ally Invest Securities. Ally Invest Advisors serves a broad retail client base with discretionary portfolio management that combines automated and advisor-led services. The firm employs a model-driven investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory, utilizing ETFs across multiple risk tiers and strategy variants while integrating digital tools for portfolio management and reporting.

Lewis Kayes is a CFA® charterholder with 19 years of industry experience. He is currently an advisor at Cary Street Partners, having joined the firm in 2026. Prior to this, he worked at Exencial Wealth Advisors for three years and at Willingdon Wealth Management Inc. for 17 years. Cary Street Partners provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, trusts, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm utilizes a broad investment menu and proprietary strategies, serving both retail and specialized institutional niches such as state and municipal government entities.

Leslie Moise is a financial advisor with Arete Wealth Advisors, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 20 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Arete Wealth Management LLC in 2022, Leslie worked at National Securities Corp for 11 years. Outside of investment advising, Leslie is the owner and president of LIANMAC, Inc., a small accounting and tax-related business. Arete Wealth Advisors provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm primarily manages assets on a discretionary basis using both advisor-driven and proprietary model allocations, and integrates with affiliated financial businesses and product channels.

Thomas Braun is a financial advisor at Gradient Investments, LLC with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and has worked at firms including Goldenguard Wealth Management, GoldenGuard Financial, Thrivent Investment Management, and Worth Financial Group. He is also the owner of GoldenGuard Financial, an insurance services business based in Matthews, NC. Gradient Investments, LLC provides discretionary investment management services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, institutions, and various entities. The firm uses a proprietary Wright Investment Strategies framework and offers a variety of model and custom portfolios managed on a discretionary basis.

Katherine Burak is a CFP® with 16 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Choreo, LLC. Her prior roles include positions at Vanguard Marketing Corporation and Cleary University. Choreo serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, family offices, and institutional clients. The firm’s investment process emphasizes strategic asset allocation combined with quantitative screening and due diligence, implementing portfolios through a variety of managed accounts and specialized advisory services.

Brett Shanklin is a financial advisor at Principal Advised Services with a Series 66 credential and two years of industry experience. He has held roles at several Principal Financial Group affiliates, including Principal Bank, Principal Life Insurance Company, and Principal Securities, Inc. Prior to joining Principal, his work experience spans multiple industries including banking and staffing. Principal Advised Services provides investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, combining third-party methodologies with proprietary models. The firm leverages its affiliation with Principal Financial Group to offer a range of advisory services and investment products supported by dedicated governance and supervision.

Lauren Martinez is a financial advisor at Choreo, LLC with nine years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and has previously worked at Verum Partners LLC, Novare Capital Management, LLC, and Staton Financial Advisors, LLC. Choreo serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, family offices, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, endowments, and institutional clients. The firm employs a quantitative and committee-approved investment process, offering a broad range of services such as portfolio management, wealth management consulting, outsourced CIO, and retirement plan consulting.

Carolyn Balzano is a CFP® professional with four years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC since 2021. She previously worked at Fifth Third Bank from 2014 to 2021. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC is a multi-team registered investment adviser managing approximately $7.8 billion in discretionary assets for a range of clients, including individuals, trusts, pension plans, charitable organizations, and institutional investors. The firm provides portfolio management, financial planning, and access to alternative investments, leveraging both in-house resources and third-party managers within an integrated framework affiliated with Fifth Third Bank.

Christopher Elliotte is a Series 65 credentialed advisor with 16 years of industry experience, currently with Colony Family Offices, LLC since 2014. He is based in Charlotte, NC and is part of a team of six advisors at the firm. Colony Family Offices provides comprehensive wealth management and financial planning primarily to ultra-high-net-worth families, managing approximately $3.32 billion in discretionary assets. The firm employs a priorities-based, customized planning approach combining passive and active investment strategies, and utilizes third-party managers alongside independent research to support client portfolios.

Brandon Shephard is a financial advisor with Ally Invest Advisors in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and nine years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, PNC, and Wells Fargo Clearing Services. Outside of finance, he has been involved with YES I CAN BASKETBALL since 2005. Ally Invest Advisors serves a broad retail client base, offering discretionary portfolio management through automated and advisor-led services. The firm’s investment approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory, utilizing ETF-based model portfolios across various risk tiers with automated allocation and rebalancing.

Lance Bryan is a financial advisor at Cary Street Partners with 22 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Matrix Private Capital Group, Neuberger Berman, and Ameriprise. Cary Street Partners provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of investment options and proprietary strategies, serving notable institutional niches such as state and municipal government entities and insurance company clients.

John Bly is a financial advisor with Aprio Wealth Management, LLC in Matthews, NC, holding a Series 66 license and bringing 16 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Aprio Advisory Group and Aprio Risk Management since 2019, as well as prior experience at HK Financial Services, Proequities Inc, and L B & A, CPA, PLLC. Bly is also a partner at a CPA firm and is involved in insurance sales. Aprio Wealth Management provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm focuses on tailored portfolio management, financial planning, and uses a combination of asset allocation, specialist sub-advisers, and various investment strategies to help preserve clients’ purchasing power over the long term.

Lamaar Steadman is a financial advisor at Gradient Investments, LLC with three years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 credential and has worked at Civitas Financial LLC and Gradient Advisors LLC prior to his current roles. Steadman is also involved in insurance sales and investment advisory through American Insurance Marketing Solutions. Gradient Investments, LLC provides discretionary investment management to individuals, high-net-worth clients, institutions, and other entities using a proprietary investment framework. The firm offers a variety of portfolios, including strategic, tactical, private wealth, and tax-aware strategies, managing assets on a fee-only basis without serving as custodian.

Katrina Hayes is a CFP® professional with 25 years of industry experience. She has worked at Prospera Financial Services since 2013, following roles at TCA Financial Group and Wells Fargo Clearing. Outside of her advisory work, she is active in community and professional organizations, including serving as Chair of the Charlotte chapter of Ellevate, a global professional networking association, and holding leadership roles in a local nonprofit wine tasting social club. Prospera Financial Services is a multi-team advisory firm with 271 advisors and approximately $14.4 billion in client assets. The firm serves individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, and other entities, offering financial planning and portfolio management through multiple advisory programs and platforms.

Anthony Montanari is a financial advisor at Prospera Financial Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, with 27 years of industry experience. He has held roles at Capital Guardian Wealth Management, Citigroup Global Markets, and Prudential Equity Group. Montanari is a Series 63 and Series 65 license holder. Prospera Financial Services is a multi-team advisory firm with 271 advisors managing approximately $14.4 billion in client assets. The firm serves individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities, offering financial planning, portfolio management, and access to multiple advisory programs and platforms.

William Etheridge Jr. is a financial advisor at Hilltop Securities Inc. with 38 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at RBC Capital Markets Corporation for 17 years. Hilltop Securities Inc. provides brokerage, investment advisory, and retirement-plan consulting services to individuals, corporations, nonprofits, and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $2.25 billion in assets and offers a range of portfolio management programs supported by an open-architecture platform and a variety of investment strategies.

Jonathan Heim is a financial advisor with Principal Advised Services in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and four years of industry experience. His background includes roles at Principal Financial Services and Principal Life Insurance Company. He also has experience in the parking management sector and the mortgage industry through Angel Oak Home Loans. Principal Advised Services provides investment advice and related services primarily to retirement plan participants and retail IRA clients, offering both non-discretionary recommendations and a discretionary wrap-fee investment management program. The firm integrates third-party tools and proprietary models and benefits from its affiliation with Principal Financial Group entities, providing access to a range of proprietary financial products.

Melissa Boyer is a CFP® professional with 25 years of industry experience, currently serving at Modera Wealth Management, LLC since 2020. Her prior experience includes roles at Keatley Wealth Management, LLC, LPL Financial, LLC, and MSI Financial Services, Inc. Modera Wealth Management provides wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, corporations, and plan sponsors. The firm employs a diversified asset allocation strategy based on Modern Portfolio Theory and integrates investment management with accounting, tax, and business coaching services.