Brian Kearns is a CFP® with 13 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Mutual Advisors, LLC since 2019. His prior roles include positions at Twombly Asset Management LLC, Emberhouse, LLC, and Morgan Stanley. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved with the Illinois CPA Society as Co-Chair of the Personal Financial Planning Forum and serves as Treasurer for the Sons of the American Legion Post 42. Mutual Advisors, LLC is an SEC-registered adviser managing approximately $6.75 billion through a network of 123 advisors. The firm serves individuals, institutions, trusts, and retirement plans by providing asset management, financial consulting, ERISA plan advisory, and other services, utilizing a combination of passive and active investment strategies tailored to client objectives.

Annirose Womack is a CFP® with 16 years of industry experience, currently serving at Capital Analysts. She has worked previously at Lincoln Investment and Horace Mann Investors, Inc., and maintains a contractor role with Astraios Financial-East, LLC. Outside of advisory roles, she owns Womack Enterprises LLC, which is used for tax and accounting purposes. Capital Analysts serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, trusts, and corporate clients. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management supported by an in-house investment team and a proprietary mutual-fund screening process.

Jacqueline Bulava is a financial advisor with LaSalle St. Investment Advisors, L.L.C., holding a Series 66 credential and eight years of industry experience. Her career includes roles at Osaic Advisory Services, Arbor Point Advisors, and Carson Group Partners. Outside of advisory work, she is an independent life insurance agent and serves as Director of Operations for The Bulava Group, a real estate sales business. LaSalle St. Investment Advisors offers personalized, fee-based financial planning and investment supervisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm provides both non-discretionary and discretionary investment management options and manages a substantial portion of assets on a non-discretionary basis.

Braden Monahan is a financial advisor at Simplicity Wealth with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at firms including Ehlert Financial Group and Protected Tomorrows. In addition to his advisory role, he is a registered insurance agent who presents and explains life insurance policies. Simplicity Wealth serves a diverse client base ranging from individual investors to institutional entities and other financial firms, providing a variety of advisory services including financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services. The firm employs a fund-of-funds approach using ETFs, mutual funds, and individual securities, and offers model portfolios with ongoing monitoring and customization, alongside technology and operational support for other advisers.

Benjamin Packer is a financial advisor at Ritholtz Wealth Management in Chicago, IL. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Ritholtz Wealth Management in 2025, he worked at Charles Schwab and Column Capital Advisors. Ritholtz Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients, providing portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a goal-based investment process that incorporates asset allocation and behavioral finance, using diversified low-cost ETFs along with tactical overlays and alternative investments.

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.

Sandra Evans is a financial advisor with LaSalle St. Investment Advisors, L.L.C., holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 37 years of industry experience. She has worked at La Salle St. Securities, Inc. since 1992 and at Carrollton Bank since 1985. In addition to her advisory role, she serves as Secretary-Treasurer of Evans Farm Equipment, Inc. and is a board member of the Prairie Council of Aging. LaSalle St. Investment Advisors provides fee-based financial planning and investment supervisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, pension plans, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm offers both non-discretionary and discretionary investment approaches, with a notable emphasis on managing a predominance of non-discretionary assets.

Mary Ehlert is a CFP® certificant with 28 years of experience in financial advising, currently serving at Simplicity Wealth. Her prior experience includes nearly three decades at Ehlert Financial Group and Forum Financial Management, LP. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved in several nonprofit organizations focused on special needs advocacy, including serving as CEO of Protected Tomorrows Inc., which provides consulting and advocacy for families with disabilities. Simplicity Wealth serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plans, and institutional clients, offering advisory services from financial planning to portfolio management. The firm employs a fund-of-funds approach utilizing ETFs, mutual funds, and individual securities, and combines advisory services with technology and operational solutions for other advisors through its managed account platform.

Jared Shirk is a financial advisor at LaSalle St. Investment Advisors, L.L.C., holding a Series 66 designation with four years of industry experience. He has worked at LaSalle St. Investment Advisors since 2022 and is also involved with Capital Wealth Partners, where he engages in fixed insurance contracting. Outside of finance, he operates a mowing business. LaSalle St. Investment Advisors provides personalized, fee-based financial planning and investment supervisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm offers both non-discretionary and discretionary management approaches and supervises third-party managers, with a notable emphasis on non-discretionary asset management.

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.

Regan Beaver is a financial advisor at LaSalle St. Investment Advisors, L.L.C. in Elmhurst, Illinois, with 23 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at LaSalle St. Securities, L.L.C. since 2003. LaSalle St. Investment Advisors provides personalized, fee-based financial planning and investment supervisory services to individuals, trusts, pension plans, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm offers both non-discretionary and discretionary investment programs and is notable for managing a predominance of non-discretionary assets compared to discretionary ones.

Ronald Feltes is a financial advisor with Lasalle St. Investment Advisors, L.L.C., holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 42 years of industry experience. He has worked at LaSalle St. Securities LLC since 2015 and Heartland Investment Associates, Inc. since 1990. Outside of his advisory roles, he is involved in fixed insurance activities. Lasalle St. Investment Advisors provides fee-based financial planning and investment supervisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, pension plans, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm offers both non-discretionary and discretionary investment programs, with a notable emphasis on managing a predominance of non-discretionary assets.

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.

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.

Robert Cheney is a financial advisor at Diversify Advisory Services, LLC with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at DFPG Investments, Inc. since 2019 and First Allied Advisory Services, Inc. from 2006 to 2019. Cheney serves on the Board of Governors for the Lowe Institute of Political Economy, a nonprofit research organization. Diversify Advisory Services provides investment advisory and financial planning to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, medical professionals, and small business owners. The firm employs a tactical diversification approach using a variety of investment platforms and strategies while maintaining documented client objectives and the ability to engage sub-advisors.

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.

Jason Johnson is a financial advisor with LaSalle St. Investment Advisors, L.L.C. in Elmhurst, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo and Northwestern Mutual, among others. Outside of his advisory duties, he serves as Deputy Commissioner for USA Softball of Nevada and is an assistant high school softball coach and part-time substitute teacher. LaSalle St. Investment Advisors provides personalized, fee-based financial planning and investment supervisory services to individuals, trusts, pension plans, charitable organizations, and small businesses, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary management programs with a focus on diversified asset allocation.

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.

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.