Matthew Szymanski is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since beginning his career at Merrill Lynch in 2003, he has provided traditional financial advice and guidance as well as built and managed custom investment strategies. His approach includes selecting from a wide range of Merrill model portfolios and third-party investment options, with the ability to manage strategies on a discretionary basis for clients participating in the firm's Investment Advisory Program. Matthew holds several professional designations, including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Vanderbilt University and completed his secondary education at St Joseph's Collegiate Institute. Matthew, along with his wife Emily and their son Barrett, reside in downtown Raleigh and are actively involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In 2023, Matthew was named to Forbes' "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list, a recognition developed by SHOOK Research based on factors such as industry experience, credentials, client retention, and firm nominations.

Andrew Blanchard is a Series 66-credentialed financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Raleigh, NC, with two years of industry experience. Prior to his financial advisory role, he served nine years in the U.S. Air Force and was a homemaker for five years. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved as an actor represented by a talent agency and serves as a board member for the Apex Public School Foundation. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, offering comprehensive financial planning focused on goals such as retirement, tax, estate, and special needs planning. The firm combines planning with managed-account programs under consolidated billing while maintaining separate planning and investment services.

Melinda Poulton is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with four years of industry experience. She has worked at Thrivent Financial and Thrivent Investment Management since 2022. Outside of her advisory role, she acts as a brand ambassador for nutritional supplements and wellness products in a limited capacity. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, focusing on holistic, goal-based analyses across various financial planning topics. The firm offers a planning service separate from portfolio management and allows clients to combine planning with managed-account programs under consolidated billing.

Omid Bonakdar is an Investment Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2024. He collaborates with individuals and families to understand their goals, values, and concerns in order to co-create financial plans aimed at pursuing their lifelong objectives. Prior to his current role, Omid gained experience at Fidelity Investments as a Workplace Planning Consultant from 2022 to 2024, progressing through multiple levels in that capacity. Before joining Fidelity, he worked at Guidehouse in 2021 as a PPP Loan Analyst and ERAP Manager. Outside of his professional career, Omid has interests that include the beach, cooking and baking, movies, music, snowboarding, and traveling.

Anna Hartwell is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 13 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Sagepoint Financial, Inc. and Pruco Securities LLC. In addition to her advisory role, Hartwell serves as a House Director at NC State University, managing residential student housing. OSAIC serves a broad range of clients, including individual and high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering integrated brokerage, advisory services, and access to multiple investment platforms. The firm utilizes asset-allocation tools and risk-tolerance assessments to construct diversified portfolios that incorporate various asset classes and provide discretionary and non-discretionary management options.

Robert Frye is a CFP® professional with 21 years of industry experience, currently serving at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. Prior to this, he worked at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2010 to 2016. He holds the Series 66 designation and is based in Raleigh, NC. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options among its investment offerings.

Shelley Bennett is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 14 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Morgan Stanley since 2014, including a role with Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients by providing a range of advisory programs and tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes structured planning tools and comprehensive investment resources as part of its services.

Wallace Suggs II is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 66 and Series 63 credentials and three years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Bank of America, NYLIFE Securities LLC, Thrivent Financial, and Wells Fargo Bank. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a Branch Launch Manager for Grameen America, a nonprofit providing businesswomen in poverty with access to microloans and education. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of clients, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Jonathan Waterman is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Raleigh, NC, where he has worked for 24 years. Prior to the firm's rebranding, he was affiliated with Axa Advisors for 18 years. Outside of advising, he holds various roles including healthcare power of attorney for his spouse and guardianship responsibilities for his daughter. Equitable Advisors serves individuals across a wide range of wealth levels, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, providing financial planning, retirement consulting, and asset management. The firm’s approach involves matching clients to program models or discretionary managers, utilizing both proprietary and third-party investment programs and offering ERISA fiduciary services to qualified plans.

Daniel Griffith is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and based in Raleigh, NC. He has been with LPL Financial since 2026 and previously held roles at Osaic, Samaritan's Purse, and Liberty University, among others. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a broad range of investment options and utilizes various operational and research tools to support its network of over 22,800 advisors managing more than $819 billion in discretionary assets.

Donald Monroe is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and having 42 years of industry experience. He has been with UBS since 2009. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and investment advisory offerings, leveraging proprietary capital market research and model-based asset allocations to tailor client plans. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services, including futures commission merchant activities and principal trading.

Kent Thompson is a financial advisor at OSAIC based in Raleigh, NC, with 40 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at OSAIC since 2018, following five years at Jhfn Sii. Thompson serves as secretary on the board of the Wake County Estate Planning Council, a charitable organization. OSAIC serves a broad mix of retail and institutional clients through a large network of affiliated advisors and offers integrated brokerage and investment advisory services, financial planning, retirement consulting, and access to third-party money managers and wrap programs. The firm uses asset-allocation tools, risk-tolerance questionnaires, and automated rebalancing to construct diversified portfolios, and supports a wide range of account types and investment strategies.

Shawn Ingram is a Planning Consultant who assists clients in achieving their financial goals by collaborating with them to create actionable and accessible financial plans. He currently works at Fidelity Investments, where he has held several roles since 2023. His positions have included Investment Solutions Representative, High Net Worth Associate, and Customer Relationship Advocate, reflecting his experience in various aspects of client relationship management and investment solutions within the firm.

Gregory Wesley Shanks is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley based in Raleigh, NC, with 17 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has previously worked at First Citizens Investor Services, TIAA-CREF, Captrust, and Fidelity Investment. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients with a wide range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and a structured discovery process. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and offers services that combine retail and institutional solutions.

Kristiana Dowling is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors in Raleigh, NC. She holds a Series 66 designation and has 12 years of industry experience, all with Wells Fargo Advisors since 2010. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a large broker-dealer and registered investment adviser affiliated with Wells Fargo, offering investment and fee-based financial planning services to individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm provides a broad range of planning services supported by proprietary research and tools, serving clients who meet specific net-worth criteria.

Parker Tanner is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Equitable Advisors in 2025, he worked at Lowe's Home Improvement in various roles. Equitable Advisors serves individuals across wealth levels, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutional clients by providing financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset management programs. The firm utilizes a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and offers a range of third-party advisory models, focusing on personalized risk assessment and matching clients to suitable investment solutions.

Joshua De Leon is an International Wealth Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He provides wealth management strategies to individuals, families, and businesses, focusing on legacy planning and addressing the complexities of the global financial environment. Joshua works to develop comprehensive strategies aligned with clients’ short- and long-term financial objectives. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. Joshua is fluent in English and Spanish and holds professional designations including Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Through his role, he leverages the investment resources of Merrill and the banking capabilities of Bank of America to help clients manage various aspects of their financial futures.

Philip Nation is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Raleigh, NC. He holds CFP® and ChFC® designations and has 39 years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2024, he worked for Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. for 19 years. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, with advice delivered primarily by investment adviser representatives who use a range of discretionary and non-discretionary strategies.

Andrew Rose is a CFP® with 18 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at OSAIC since 2018. His prior experience includes roles at SII and multiple divisions of Northwestern Mutual from 2007 to 2017. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as Vice President of a homeowners association and is involved with several insurance brokerage activities. OSAIC Wealth, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory services and uses various tools and third-party platforms to construct and manage portfolios tailored to clients’ needs.

Rushil Patel is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Raleigh, NC. He holds the Series 66 designation and has experience working at firms including Northern Trust, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and AXA Advisors. Patel is also involved with Peak Shift Holdings, LLC. Equitable Advisors provides financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset management services to a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a range of advisory programs and third-party managers to tailor investment solutions based on client risk tolerance and objectives.