Thomas Sparkman is a CFP® with nine years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers. He has worked with The Vanguard Group since 2017 and participates in various focus groups as part of his activities outside of his advisory role. Additionally, he has worked as a test patient for healthcare training webinars. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice through digital and personal advisory services, primarily serving retail investors and employer-sponsored retirement plan participants. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven investment approach using proprietary methodologies and primarily allocates portfolios with Vanguard funds and ETFs.

Patrick Nielsen is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Mooresville, NC, holding CFP® and Series 66 credentials and seven years of industry experience. Before joining Edward Jones in 2018, he worked for twelve years at Lowe's Companies, Inc. Outside of his advisory work, he owns and operates a self-publishing business through which he writes fiction. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment solutions with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management. The firm is notable for its large network of financial advisors and branch offices, as well as its affiliated capabilities beyond advisory services.

David Balok is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Denver, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and having 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Linsco/Private Ledger Corp. since 2006, totaling 20 years at that firm. He also operates a wealth management business under the name David R. Balok Wealth Management. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals—including both high-net-worth and non-HNW clients—retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, providing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by research from multiple sources.

Jake Rothert is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. He has been with Vanguard since 2021, including roles at Vanguard Advisers, Vanguard Marketing Corporation, and The Vanguard Group. Outside of advising, he has been involved with CharBar7 since 2015. Vanguard Advisers serves retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans through a combination of automated and human-supported investment advice, utilizing a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with personalized asset allocations primarily composed of Vanguard funds and ETFs. The firm manages a large client base with over 2,200 advisors, emphasizing digital delivery and a team servicing model.

Thomas Druckenbrod is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management who specializes in retirement income and wealth management planning. With over 19 years of experience in the financial services industry, he focuses on helping individuals set realistic financial goals and develop outcome-oriented strategies using Merrill's customized advice and Bank of America Global Research. Thomas holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and has earned multiple professional designations, including Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA), and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA). His client focus areas include college education planning, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, special needs planning strategies, women and wealth, and retirement income. In addition to his professional work, Thomas is involved in his community as a church volunteer. Outside of work, his personal interests include adventure sports, chess, fishing, ice skating, table tennis, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Gordon Hasslinger is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. and various mortgage and resource companies. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach, primarily constructing portfolios from Vanguard funds and ETFs, and manages a large client base through its digital platform and team servicing model.

Jaime Bell is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with four years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Brookstone Capital Management and H.E. Scheil & Associates, Inc. Bell is based in Charlotte, NC. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice through its Vanguard Digital Advisor and Vanguard Personal Advisor services, primarily serving retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with portfolios constructed mainly from Vanguard funds and ETFs, emphasizing customization and tax-aware strategies.

Natasha Rufino Da Silva is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving the Suburban Philadelphia market. She is recognized as Merrill’s only African American advisor in the region and collaborates with an award-winning team that includes partners with over 40 years of experience. Drawing upon her athletic background, Natasha applies a disciplined and focused approach to her work with high net worth families and individuals. Her expertise spans advising medical professionals, athletes, business owners, and affluent families on various aspects of financial life, including wealth growth and preservation, retirement planning, managing new wealth, and tax minimization. Natasha emphasizes personalized strategies tailored to each client’s unique financial goals and has a commitment to educating her community on financial literacy, especially empowering Philadelphia’s youth. Natasha holds a Bachelor’s degree from Saint Joseph’s University and completed an Accredited Certificate Program at Temple University. She carries several professional designations, including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA). She is involved with community organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and Tri State Black Men in Medicine. Fluent in English and Yoruba, Natasha focuses on clear communication to help clients understand financial strategies and market conditions.

David Torres is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 21 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has previously worked at E*TRADE Securities LLC and TIAA-CREF. Outside of his advisory work, he owns an e-commerce business, GroovyCoconut, Inc. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a wide range of advisory programs and financial planning services to individuals and institutional clients, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. The firm uses structured planning tools and investment modeling as part of its advisory process.

Christian Burns is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with eight years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2017 and previously worked six years at the United Methodist Foundation of Western North Carolina, Inc. He serves on the Development Committee of the Cornelius Arts Center, where he contributes to training board members on major gifts and may collaborate with board members on donor meetings. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a large network of financial advisors and branch offices. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and affiliated investment products under a fiduciary standard.

Jon Neely is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 10 years of industry experience. He has been with The Vanguard Group, Inc. since 2016 and is involved in writing through his roles at AI Outcome, LLC and as a blogger for Boatia, where he provides information to travelers and boaters. Vanguard Advisers offers automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and eligible employer-sponsored retirement plan participants, employing a goal-based, algorithm-driven investment approach largely using Vanguard funds and ETFs. The firm manages a large client base through a high client-per-advisor ratio enabled by its digital platform and serves also intermediaries and plan-level managed solutions.

Jean Basson is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with 12 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has been with Vanguard entities since 2013 in various capacities including marketing and advisory roles. Based in Charlotte, NC, Basson’s background includes over a decade at The Vanguard Group and related affiliates. Vanguard Advisers delivers automated and human-supported investment advice primarily to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach using proprietary models to construct personalized portfolios primarily from Vanguard funds and ETFs, emphasizing scale and digital delivery through a large team of advisors.

Sangeetha Rajesh is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 10 years of industry experience. Her background includes roles at The Vanguard Group, John Hancock, Teacher's Insurance Annuity Association, and Metlife Investors Distribution Company. Vanguard Advisers offers both automated and human-supported investment advice primarily to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach to create personalized portfolios mainly composed of Vanguard funds and ETFs, combining scalability with digital delivery and team support.

Timothy Cosby Jr. is a Series 66-licensed advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, and has five years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at The Vanguard Group, Inc. since 2021 and prior positions in both financial services and retail. Outside of advising, he has a non-investment role as a drummer in a retail/service capacity. Vanguard Advisers offers automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with portfolios primarily constructed from Vanguard funds and ETFs, supporting customization and tax-aware strategies.

Emily Morgenthaler is a financial advisor at Vanguard Advisers with a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Vanguard in 2022, she held roles at Sona Dermatology, Stuart Weitzman, and several retail companies. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice for retail investors and retirement plan participants, employing a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach that leverages Vanguard funds and ETFs. The firm serves a large client base with a digital platform supported by over 2,200 advisors.

Stephen Abercrombie is a financial advisor at Fidelity with 21 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials. Prior to joining Fidelity, he worked at The Vanguard Group, Inc. for 17 years. Fidelity’s affiliate Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients using a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction. The firm also manages multiple registered investment companies and utilizes systematic methodologies and long-term asset allocation benchmarks.

Ra'shanda Williams is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and having 12 years of industry experience. She has been with The Vanguard Group, Inc. since 2014. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans, offering goal-based, algorithm-driven portfolio management primarily using Vanguard funds and ETFs. The firm combines digital delivery with a large advisor team, managing hundreds of thousands of client relationships.

Kirk Messick is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has worked since 2012. He began his career in the financial services industry in 2006 with Wachovia Securities. Kirk holds professional designations including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He earned his high school diploma from West Iredell High School. With over sixteen years of experience, Kirk focuses on goal setting and retirement planning, specializing in consolidation and distribution of retirement and pension plans. He employs Goals Based Wealth Management, creating personalized strategies to help clients pursue their financial goals through a structured process of defining objectives and implementing solutions. His approach emphasizes putting the client's interests first and building trust through integrity and hard work. Outside of his professional role, Kirk participates in community activities such as coaching the All Pro Dads Odell Elementary Chapter and serving as an Assistant Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts of America. His personal interests include hiking, spending time with his family, and watching movies.

Justin Marshall is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 12 years of industry experience. He has been with Vanguard Advisers since 2016 and also works with Vanguard Marketing Corporation and The Vanguard Group, Inc. Vanguard Advisers provides automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven approach with portfolios primarily constructed from Vanguard funds and ETFs, offering a range of customization options and managing a large client base through its digital platform and team servicing model.

Adam Mielke is a financial advisor with Vanguard Advisers and holds a Series 66 designation. He has five years of experience in the industry, including roles at Vanguard Advisers and The Vanguard Group, Inc. Prior to that, he worked at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and was self-employed. Vanguard Advisers offers automated and human-supported investment advice to retail investors and participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm uses a goal-based, algorithm-driven investment approach with portfolios primarily composed of Vanguard funds and ETFs, supported by a large team of advisors and digital delivery.