Michelle Mitchell is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with 14 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations and previously worked at Citigroup Global Markets for 13 years before joining Thrivent in 2022. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of Financial Advisors. The firm offers goal-based financial analyses and planning on topics such as retirement, tax, estate, and special needs, with the option to combine planning with managed account services under a consolidated billing arrangement.

Kaylee Phalon is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license with 12 years of experience in the financial services industry. She has been with Edward Jones since 2014, working out of the Naperville, IL office. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, supported by a nationwide network of more than 23,700 financial advisors.

Paul Sterk is a financial advisor with LPL Financial who holds a Series 66 designation and has 20 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Old National Bank, First Midwest Bank, BMO Harris Financial Advisors, and Merrill. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolio programs, and institutional platforms, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

James Tromp is a financial advisor with Cetera in Manhattan, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He has worked with Cetera and its affiliated entities since 1992 and also owns an accounting and tax practice, James E Tromp PC CPAs, which he has operated since 1981. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual and institutional clients nationwide through a large network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement services with multiple program and custodial options, managing over $256 billion in assets across more than 10,000 advisors.

Logan Simios is a financial advisor at Cetera with 12 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has previously worked at Woodbury Financial Services and Megent Financial. Outside of his advisory role, he owns and manages J. Krug & Associates, a risk assurance and insurance sales business, and serves as treasurer for the Greater Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and consulting services, utilizing a multi-manager platform that includes affiliated and third-party model portfolios with various program structures and custodial arrangements.

Thomas Duffner is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 40 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation as well as Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Prior to joining OSAIC, he worked at Woodbury Financial Services for 18 years and held positions at Equitable Advisors and Mony Securities Corporation. Outside of his advisory role, he owns Health Benefits Consultants, Inc., which focuses on group health insurance sales. OSAIC Wealth serves a diverse range of retail and institutional clients through a multi-advisor platform offering both brokerage and advisory services, including comprehensive financial planning and managed portfolios. The firm’s investment approach utilizes model-based asset allocation and portfolio optimization with a variety of program options supported by affiliated broker-dealer and RIA relationships.

Mary Jo Ardizzone is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 19 years of experience in the industry. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Edward Jones since 2007. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Don Barnes is a financial advisor with Cetera in Burr Ridge, IL, holding CFP® and Series 63 credentials and 38 years of industry experience. He also owns Don W. Barnes, CPA PC, a tax preparation and accounting business. Barnes has worked with Cetera and its affiliated entities since 1988 and founded Cornerstone Advisers, LLC in 2017. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual, institutional, corporate, charitable, and retirement plan clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and consulting services, operating as a multi-manager platform with diverse program options and more than $256 billion in assets under management.

James Ferguson is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 30 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at Morgan Stanley since 2009, including time at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association. Prior to that, he was with Citigroup Global Markets from 1998 to 2009. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, providing tailored financial planning and advisory programs supported by structured planning tools and broad investment offerings.

Vanessa Aldape is a financial advisor at Cetera with 14 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at several firms, including LPL Financial and Waddell & Reed. Aldape is also involved as a licensed assistant with Megent Financial, supporting advisors with paperwork and trade processing. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a broad client base, including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with a variety of portfolio management options and access to third-party money managers.

Bryce Martin is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he has been serving since 2015. He has over 12 years of experience in the financial services industry, having previously worked as a Financial Advisor at The Heartland Group from 2013 to 2015, Edward Jones from 2011 to 2013, and as a Financial Representative at TD Waterhouse from 2000 to 2001. Bryce specializes in wealth planning and assisting clients in developing, implementing, and maintaining customized financial plans. He is dedicated to helping his clients and their families pursue their financial goals and maintain confidence regardless of market conditions. Bryce values Fidelity's brand of dedication and integrity, which align with his own professional principles. Outside of his professional work, Bryce enjoys art, family activities, golf, movies, music, and skiing.

Eric Salek is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 29 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions.

Jackie Emerick is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Naperville, IL, holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and has six years of industry experience. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan Securities and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., she worked at 4 Hermanos LLC for one year. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients through a non-discretionary advisory program that focuses on written asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm’s advisory process incorporates centralized due diligence combining quantitative and qualitative research, and may include ESG considerations.

Richard Reilley is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Burr Ridge, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2015. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, operates under a fiduciary standard, and manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a large nationwide network of advisors and branch offices.

Benjamin Black is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he partners with clients to develop financial plans and build trusted personal relationships aimed at achieving their financial goals. He focuses on being responsive and empathetic to client situations, fostering strong, enduring client relationships. Prior to joining Fidelity Investments in 2023, Benjamin held roles as a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch from 2018 to 2022 and from 2013 to 2015, as well as at Wells Fargo from 2015 to 2018. He also worked as a Wealth Management Analyst at Morgan Stanley between 2006 and 2013 and began his career as an Internal Wholesaler at Van Kampen Investments from 2002 to 2005. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Benjamin enjoys biking and staying active on his road bicycle. He is a parent of two children and also pursues interests in pets, photography, traveling, and volunteering.

Christina Sievers is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 14 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a Township Trustee for Homer Township. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients, focusing on written asset allocation advice, investment manager and fund searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm’s advisory process combines quantitative and qualitative research with forward-looking market assumptions and includes capabilities in derivatives and commodities.

Patricia Paulik is a financial advisor with LPL Financial who holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has 35 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Heartland Bank, Sanctuary Securities, Merrill, Banc of America Investment Services, and LaSalle Financial Services. She is involved in managing a strategic planning services business unrelated to investments. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of services including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supporting advisors with various investment strategies and operational tools.

Belinda Castellanos is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 18 years of industry experience. She has held positions at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2021 and previously worked at Fifth Third Securities from 2002 to 2021. Castellanos holds the Series 66 designation and is based in Orland Park, IL. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning utilizing firm-approved tools and methodologies.

Ryan Cole is a financial advisor at Fidelity with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked at several firms, including Merrill, Citigroup Global Markets, Dawson James Asset Management, and SSN Advisory. He has been with Fidelity and its affiliated entities since 2016. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC serves a wide range of clients, including retail and institutional investors, offering discretionary and non-discretionary advisory services, fund advisory, and model portfolio delivery. The firm combines fundamental research with quantitative analysis and algorithmic portfolio construction, and it maintains regulatory registrations and governance procedures uncommon among large institutional peers.

James Trabadela is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Naperville, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses, and has four years of industry experience. Prior to joining Ameriprise, he worked at The Huntington Investment Company and The Huntington National Bank, and spent nineteen years at Tcf Bank. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a specialized Premier Retirement Income service focused on retirement-income planning through written Recommendation Reports and ongoing annual advice tailored to dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.