Joel Fliegel is a CFP® professional with 26 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC since 2017 and previously held roles at LPL Financial, LLC, CLA Financial Advisors LLC, and Goldman Sachs Wealth Services. Outside of his advisory work, Fliegel serves as a Level 1 USA Hockey Official, officiating youth hockey games in the Chicago area, and volunteers pro bono counseling for families affected by cancer. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services delivers financial planning, asset management, and retirement-plan consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm manages over $122 billion in assets through a diversified investment approach that blends passive and active strategies, supported by an internal Investment Committee and a variety of implementation tools.

Ernest Macvicar III is a financial advisor at Focus Partners Wealth, LLC with 42 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. His work history includes positions at Kovitz Investment Group Partners, Relative Value Partners, and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC. He serves as a member of the Investment Committee at Kenilworth Union Church, where he reviews and recommends asset allocation for the endowment fund. Focus Partners Wealth, LLC serves individuals, high-net-worth families, family offices, and institutional clients with wealth management and advisory services. The firm employs a long-term, tax- and fee-sensitive investment approach that blends active and passive strategies within an enhanced open architecture framework.

Francis Mulligan is a financial advisor at Goldman Sachs Wealth Services with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has held roles at South Jersey Industries, Rutgers Law Associates, and the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office. Goldman Sachs Wealth Services advises a diverse client base including individual investors, executives, plan sponsors, and institutional clients. The firm offers financial planning, portfolio management, and specialized services such as Private Family Office and Executive Wealth programs, employing strategic and tactical allocation models and integrating resources across the broader Goldman Sachs ecosystem.

Preeti Gupta is an advisor with Fifth Third Securities, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and currently located in Wheeling, IL. She has been with Fifth Third Bank since 2022 and joined Fifth Third Securities in 2026. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional entities through both advisory and brokerage services. The firm offers multiple investment programs via the Passageway Managed Account platform, allowing clients to select strategies tailored to their risk profiles.

Charles Villano is a CFP® professional with 31 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently affiliated with Primerica Advisors and has an extensive background including roles at Guardian Life Insurance Company and Park Avenue Securities. Outside of his advisory work, Villano serves as a CPE instructor for local CPAs and operates a life coaching program for business owners. Park Avenue Securities LLC serves a diverse retail client base, offering both brokerage and advisory services along with financial planning and business consulting. The firm employs a variety of investment strategies through proprietary and third-party platforms, managing approximately $15 billion in regulatory assets under management.

Molly Mohajir is a financial advisor at Goldman Sachs Wealth Services with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at FCS Private Wealth, the University of Kansas, and Lockton. Goldman Sachs Wealth Services provides financial planning and portfolio management to a diverse client base, including individual investors, executives, plan sponsors, and institutional clients. The firm utilizes strategic and tactical allocation models and offers a range of services such as Private Family Office programs and access to Alternative Investments, supported by proprietary and third-party analytics.

Nicole Mayer is a financial advisor at Allworth Financial, L.P. with 19 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Arbor Point Advisors and Securities America. Outside of her advisory role, Mayer is an author and consultant for Senior Services of Illinois, focusing on life and health insurance. Allworth Financial is a fee-based SEC-registered adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers customized portfolio management using various model strategies and employs third-party sub-advisers when appropriate.

Sarah Tobolski is a CFA® charterholder with eight years of industry experience. She has worked at William Blair since 2017 and previously spent three years at DiMeo Schneider. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension plans, and corporate clients. The firm applies active, research-driven management across multiple asset classes and provides proprietary models and access to private funds and co-investment opportunities.

Mingdong Tan is a financial advisor at Hightower Advisors with 22 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Hightower Securities, LLC and Hightower Advisors since 2012. Outside of his advisory work, he serves on the board of Asphalt Plus LLC, a construction company. Hightower Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to a diverse client base that includes individual and institutional investors. The firm emphasizes manager selection and multi-manager solutions, utilizing both affiliated and third-party managers alongside proprietary research and a range of investment vehicles.

Matthew Vasiliauskas is a financial advisor with Goldman Sachs Wealth Services and holds a Series 66 designation. He has recently started his career in the financial industry and previously worked at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and Portillo's Restaurant Group, Inc. He also has experience with Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and the Wheaton Park District. Goldman Sachs Wealth Services advises a diverse client base, including individual investors, executives, institutional clients, and plan sponsors, offering financial planning, portfolio management, and specialized wealth programs. The firm integrates strategic allocation models, manager selections, and a variety of implementation platforms, leveraging capabilities across the broader Goldman Sachs ecosystem.

Paul Blumberg is a financial advisor with Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 42 years of industry experience. He has been with Mesirow Financial, Inc. since 1993 and with Mesirow Investment Services, Inc. since 1983. He serves as a director for the nonprofit organization I Have a Dream. Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc.’s Wealth Management division provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management and financial planning services to private individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, government entities, charitable organizations, and institutional clients. The firm employs an investment approach that includes creating Investment Policy Statements, setting asset allocation targets, and conducting due diligence across various asset classes, while offering access to both third-party managers and proprietary private investment products.

Trevor Merkley is a financial advisor at &Partners with Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and one year of industry experience. His prior work includes positions at K Force, Chicago Public Schools, and JPMorgan Securities LLC. &Partners serves a diverse range of individual and institutional clients, offering investment management, financial and tax planning, ERISA consulting, and brokerage services through both discretionary and non-discretionary strategies. The firm utilizes a combination of fundamental, technical, and quantitative analysis and oversees accounts managed directly by advisors or third-party managers.

Scott Biestek is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 15 years of industry experience. He has been affiliated with Commonwealth since 2013 and operates Biestek Wealth Management, LLC, where he is involved in both advisory services and insurance sales. In addition, Biestek maintains a law practice as an attorney. Commonwealth Financial Network is a dual-registered broker/dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,900 advisors and managing over $212 billion in client assets. The firm provides a broad adviser-support platform including managed-account programs, access to third-party asset managers, retirement consulting, and custody services.

Michael Gubin is a financial advisor at TLG Advisors, Inc. with 12 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been affiliated with Schmidt Financial since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in life insurance and annuity sales through his positions at Schmidt Financial and MAG Advisors Inc., where he serves as president and sole owner. TLG Advisors, Inc. manages approximately $2.0 billion in discretionary assets and serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and institutional investors. The firm offers investment supervisory and portfolio management services, comprehensive financial and estate planning, and ERISA fiduciary services, employing a research approach based on fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory.

John Lothery is a financial advisor at Focus Partners Wealth, LLC with five years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked with OSAIC and Journey Financial Group. Focus Partners serves a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth families, family offices, and institutional clients, offering comprehensive wealth management and advisory services. The firm employs a long-term, tax- and fee-sensitive investment approach combining active and passive strategies within an enhanced open architecture framework.

Max Wasserman is a financial advisor at Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Miramar Capital LLC and UBS Financial Services Inc. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services provides financial planning, asset management, and retirement-plan consulting for individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm manages over $122 billion in assets and uses a diversified, risk-class based investment approach that combines passive and active management with quantitative, momentum, and fundamental analysis.

Sandra Nies is a financial advisor at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. with eight years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Her prior roles include positions at Huntington National Bank, Park Avenue Investment Advisory, River Street Advisors, Old Second National Bank, and BMO Harris Financial Advisors. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional entities through investment advisory and brokerage services. The firm offers various managed account programs on the Passageway platform, utilizing multiple third-party portfolio managers and strategies such as SMA, tax-overlay, and direct indexing.

Laura Linger is a financial advisor at William Blair with 21 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with William Blair & Company, LLC since 2004. Outside her advisory role, she owns Exquisite Presentations, a tapestry placement business with inventory held for charitable donations. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension, and corporate clients. The firm employs active, research-driven management across multiple asset classes and provides proprietary models, third-party sub-managers, and access to private funds through its MB Investments Program.

Kimberly Petricca is a financial advisor with Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has 19 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Alera Investment Advisors, LLC, Triad Advisors, Inc., and GCG Financial LLC. Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc.’s Wealth Management division offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment management and financial planning to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, government entities, and institutional clients. The firm employs a comprehensive investment process that includes setting asset allocation targets, applying due diligence across various asset classes, and utilizing both proprietary and third-party investment products.

Ryan Block is a financial advisor at Creative Planning with 17 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Mesirow Financial, Inc. for 15 years before joining Creative Planning in 2023. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm employs a financial planning-led investment process that emphasizes low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies, supplemented by additional portfolio management techniques and a range of retirement plan services.