Braden Monahan is a financial advisor with Simplicity Wealth in Lincolnshire, IL, holding a Series 65 credential and two years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Ehlert Financial Group and several engagements with the University of Illinois. In addition to his advisory work, he presents and explains life insurance policies as a registered insurance agent. Simplicity Wealth serves a diverse client base that includes individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, corporate and institutional investors, and other financial firms. The firm uses a fund-of-funds approach with ETFs, mutual funds, and individual securities, offering model portfolios monitored and rebalanced regularly, along with optional overlays like tax optimization and customized screening.

Christa Madison is a CFP® and Series 63 licensed advisor at Ascentis Independent Advisors, LLC with two years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Curi RMB Capital, Sebold Capital Management, Americana Financial Group, MML Investors Services, Inc., and MassMutual Financial Group. Outside of advising, she is involved as a soccer referee and partners with family members in a craft show business called Loom Designs. Ascentis Independent Advisors is a multi-team SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, trusts, retirement plans, and corporate clients. The firm offers a range of services including asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing portfolios constructed from diverse public and private securities that are actively monitored and rebalanced.

Clay Hessel is a financial advisor at Alera Investment Advisors, LLC with 31 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Securian Financial Services, Minnesota Life, Triad Advisors, and GCG Financial. He is also involved in providing life insurance and protection solutions to clients. Alera Investment Advisors, LLC offers investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, families, businesses, and institutions. The firm employs a long-term, fundamentally driven investment approach and serves both retail investors and plan sponsors with discretionary portfolio management and ERISA-focused plan services.

Mary Ehlert is a CFP® with 28 years of industry experience, currently serving at Simplicity Wealth. She previously worked at Forum Financial Management, LP and operated Ehlert Financial Group. Outside of financial advising, she is involved in multiple nonprofit organizations focused on special needs advocacy and disability services, including serving as CEO of Protected Tomorrows Inc and as a board member for several related charities. Simplicity Wealth serves a diverse client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, and institutional clients. The firm employs a fund-of-funds investment approach using ETFs, mutual funds, and individual securities, combined with model portfolios and third-party manager oversight, alongside technology-driven services for advisers.

Stephen Dudas is a financial advisor at World Equity Group, Inc. with 20 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at several firms including Insigneo Advisory Services, Securities America Advisors, and Triad Advisors. World Equity Group provides investment advisory and brokerage services to individual and high-net-worth clients, business entities, non-profit organizations, and financial institutions. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and access to third-party managers, utilizing a combination of model-based and customized investment approaches.

Nicholas Rossetti is a CFP® professional with four years of industry experience, currently serving at Merit Financial Advisors in Deerfield, IL. His prior experience includes roles at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, The Pinnacle Financial Group, Commonwealth Financial Network, and Northern Trust Corporation. Merit Financial Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser with over 260 advisors serving more than 20,000 clients across 66 offices. The firm offers coordinated wealth-management services utilizing a long-term, diversified investment approach supported by an internal Investment Management team and customizable portfolio models.

Eric Rosenbloom is a Senior Vice President at Alera Investment Advisors, LLC with 23 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® and Series 66 credentials. His prior experience includes roles at Securian Financial Services Inc., Minnesota Life, Triad Advisors, Inc., and GCG Financial, where he continues to serve as a financial advisor. Rosenbloom is also involved in life settlements through the Ashar Group. Alera Investment Advisors, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, families, trusts, businesses, and institutions. The firm employs a long-term, fundamental analysis-driven investment approach utilizing mutual funds, ETFs, equities, and fixed income, and offers ERISA-focused services for retirement plans.

Eric Mooney is a financial advisor at VestGen Advisors, LLC with three years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked in various roles including at Mooney Lyons Financial and Triad Advisors. Outside of his advisory work, Mooney serves as president and on the board of directors of the Naperville Networking Alliance, a community networking group. VestGen Advisors, LLC is a multi-team registered investment adviser managing approximately $3.47 billion for over 9,400 clients. The firm serves individual and high-net-worth clients with discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan services, utilizing a blend of analytical methods and third-party managers.

Alexander Marmitt is a financial advisor with Arkadios Wealth Advisors, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. His career includes roles at J.P. Morgan Securities, Robert Baird & Co., and Wintrust Investments. He is also a partner at Klestinski Rapp Marmitt Investment Counsel, where he is involved in investment management and financial planning. Arkadios Wealth Advisors is a multi-team SEC-registered firm serving individuals, trusts, businesses, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm offers customized investment strategies through a range of portfolio management programs and incorporates fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis while accommodating client-imposed restrictions.

Arthur Pedgrift III is a financial advisor with Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 32 years of industry experience. He has been with Ausdal since 2009 and is also associated with Choices Brokerage since 1997. In addition to his advisory work, he is a self-employed insurance agent focusing on life, health, disability insurance, and fixed annuities. 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 152 advisors. The firm offers investment advisory programs, retirement plan services, and financial planning to individuals, trusts, corporations, pension plans, and charitable organizations, with a range of investment strategies implemented on both discretionary and non-discretionary bases.

Todd Balber is a CFP® professional with over 31 years of experience in the financial industry. He has been with World Equity Group, Inc. since 1997. Balber is also a co-owner and partner of B&R Financial, LLC, which offers financial planning and advisory services as well as fixed life and disability insurance products. World Equity Group, Inc. provides fee-based investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as various business entities. The firm offers managed portfolios through its wrap-fee programs, utilizing third-party money managers and a risk-tolerance questionnaire to guide asset allocation and discretionary account management.

Steven Nivens is a CFP® professional with 37 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has been with Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc. since 2011. In addition to his advisory role, he is involved in outside insurance sales, including fixed life, health, and disability insurance, and provides referrals for Medicare and travel insurance products. 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 152 advisors. The firm offers investment advisory programs, retirement plan services, and financial planning to individuals, trusts, corporations, pension plans, and charitable organizations, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary strategies across a range of investment products.

Christopher Jauch is a financial advisor at Crescent Grove Advisors with 19 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Crescent Grove Advisors since 2015. Crescent Grove Advisors serves individuals, high-net-worth families, family offices, and institutional clients by providing integrated wealth management, family office services, outsourced chief investment officer solutions, and portfolio advisory across discretionary and non-discretionary mandates. The firm manages approximately $5 billion in client assets and employs a customized investment process that combines long-term strategic allocations with tactical adjustments, supported by a dedicated investment committee.

Rikk Rodriguez is a ChFC® with 14 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at VestGen Advisors, LLC. His prior experience includes roles at Wells Fargo Advisors and Triad Advisors. He is also a co-trustee of a living trust. VestGen Advisors, LLC manages approximately $6.66 billion for a diverse client base, offering discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and ERISA 3(21) retirement plan services. The firm employs a mix of fundamental, technical, and quantitative analysis combined with modern portfolio theory, serving both individual and institutional clients.

Frank Diebold Jr. is a financial advisor with Avantax Planning Partners, Inc. He holds a Series 65 designation and has 27 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Avantax, he worked for Honkamp Krueger Financial Services for 21 years and has been associated with Diebold & Associates since 1978. Avantax Planning Partners, Inc. provides portfolio management, financial planning, and managed retirement plan services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm operates primarily through a network of CPA firms and advisor representatives, managing approximately $7.57 billion in assets as of December 31, 2025.

Elizabeth Watkins is a financial advisor at Crescent Grove Advisors with 32 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Stifel Nicolaus & Co Inc and Ziegler Capital Management. Crescent Grove Advisors serves individuals, high-net-worth families, family offices, and institutional clients by providing integrated wealth management, family office services, OCIO solutions, and portfolio advisory. The firm manages approximately $5 billion in client assets and employs a customized investment process combining long-term strategic allocations with shorter-term tactical adjustments.

Thomas Riley is a financial advisor with Capital Analysts in Schaumburg, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and having 32 years of industry experience. He has been with Lincoln Investment Planning since 2013. Capital Analysts serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, trusts, foundations, and corporate clients. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management with an in-house Investment Management & Research team that employs proprietary screening processes and provides various portfolio solutions.

Rebecca Szewczyk is a financial advisor at Alera Investment Advisors, LLC with 11 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including OSAIC, Triad Advisors, Empower Retirement, and GWFS Equities. Szewczyk is involved in client service management for retirement plan services across multiple affiliated entities. Alera Investment Advisors provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services to individuals, families, trusts, businesses, institutions, and retirement plans. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management and ERISA-focused plan services, utilizing a combination of internal management, affiliate platforms, and independent managers with a primarily long-term investment approach.

James Wood is a financial advisor at Crescent Grove Advisors with 25 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 designation and has been with Crescent Grove Advisors since 2015. Crescent Grove Advisors serves individuals, high-net-worth families, family offices, and institutional clients by providing integrated wealth management, family office services, OCIO solutions, and portfolio advisory. The firm manages approximately $5 billion in client assets and employs a customized investment process that combines strategic and tactical asset allocation overseen by a dedicated investment committee.

Joshua Glorch is a financial advisor at NorthRock Partners, LLC, with 23 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at NorthRock Partners since 2019, following three years at Ameriprise Financial Services. He also maintains a current Illinois insurance license. NorthRock Partners is a multi-team wealth management firm serving individuals, trusts, estates, retirement plans, private funds, and business entities. The firm employs a tailored, holistic investment approach emphasizing broad asset allocation, diversification, and periodic rebalancing, offering a range of financial planning and personal office services.