Nicole Mayer is a financial advisor with Allworth Financial, L.P. She holds a Series 66 designation and has 20 years of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at Arbor Point Advisors, Securities America Advisors, National Planning Corporation, and Equitable Advisors. Outside of advising, she is an author and speaker, and she also serves as an insurance consultant with Senior Services of Illinois. Allworth Financial serves a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, pension plans, trusts, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm provides comprehensive financial planning and portfolio management, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative analysis to implement customized investment strategies.

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.

Howard Suss is a financial advisor with Guardian Life, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and over 31 years of industry experience. He has been with Park Avenue Securities since 2005 and has worked at Guardian Life Insurance Company of America since 2004. Outside of advisory work, he sells life and disability insurance through Suss Financial Group. Park Avenue Securities LLC, a subsidiary of Guardian Life, provides brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers a combination of advisor-led discretionary management, model-based strategies, and access to proprietary and third-party advisory solutions.

Timothy Reid is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in Arlington Heights, IL. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry, including roles at New York Life Insurance Company and NYLIFE Securities LLC. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse range of individual and institutional clients, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm offers tailored advice through multiple program types and focuses primarily on non-discretionary assets, working within an integrated New York Life affiliate structure.

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 66 and Series 63 designations and one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at K Force, Chicago Public Schools, and JPMorgan Securities LLC. &PARTNERS serves a diverse range of individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, and charitable organizations. The firm offers investment management, financial and tax planning, and retirement-plan consulting using a combination of fundamental, technical, and quantitative analysis, with services delivered through both discretionary and non-discretionary approaches.

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.

John O'Callaghan is a financial advisor with SPC in Mount Prospect, IL, holding a ChFC® designation along with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has 52 years of industry experience and has been with Sigma Planning Corporation and Sigma Financial Corporation since 2014. Outside of his advisory role, he is an independently licensed insurance agent operating under Touch Financial Group in Northfield, IL. SPC serves a diverse client base including individuals, charitable organizations, corporations, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and a range of ERISA-related retirement plan services, delivering both discretionary and nondiscretionary management through a large network of advisers.

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.

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.

Laura Davis is a financial advisor at Guardian Life with 40 years of industry experience. She holds the ChFC® and Series 63 designations and has worked with Guardian Life and Park Avenue Securities since 2012. Outside of her advisory role, she operates Advanced Strategies & Design, LLC, focusing on wealth accumulation and preservation strategies. Guardian Life, through its subsidiary Park Avenue Wealth Management, provides brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers a combination of advisor-led discretionary management and model-based strategies, along with access to proprietary programs and third-party solutions.

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.

Jamie Gaballa is a financial advisor with Fifth Third Securities, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Fifth Third Securities in 2024, Jamie was employed at Fifth Third Bank since 2022 and was self-employed from 2013 to 2021. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. offers brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate clients, and institutional investors. The firm combines its municipal-advisor registration with its affiliation to Fifth Third Bank, providing clients access to multiple discretionary managed-account programs and features such as direct indexing and tax-overlay services.

David Zinck is a financial advisor at Sanctuary Advisors, LLC with 25 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. His prior work includes roles at Noyes Advisors LLC and David A Noyes & Company. Sanctuary Advisors serves a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations, providing portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting services through a network of over 400 independent advisers. The firm employs multiple investment approaches and offers discretionary and non-discretionary account management with access to various sub-advisers and third-party platforms.

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.

Jonathan Neuman is a CFP® professional with 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with &Partners and previously held roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and Morgan Stanley. Neuman also serves as a FINRA arbitrator. &Partners serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, and corporations, providing investment management, financial and tax planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and quantitative analysis and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management.

Kexin Yang is a financial advisor with Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Yang has worked with nonprofit organizations such as the Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center and The Bail Project. Yang’s background also includes roles at The George Washington University and Washington University in St. Louis. Goldman Sachs Wealth Services advises a diverse client base, including individual investors, corporate participants, executives, and institutional clients. The firm offers financial planning, portfolio management, and specialized services such as Private Family Office and Executive Wealth programs, utilizing strategic allocation models and access to a wide range of affiliated Goldman Sachs products and resources.

Jin Liu is a financial advisor at Hightower Advisors in Deerfield, IL, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses with seven years of industry experience. Prior to joining Hightower Advisors in 2019, Liu worked at Navistar Inc. for five years. Outside of advising, Liu is a partner in Ecommerce Express LLC. Hightower Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to a diverse range of individual and institutional clients, utilizing a multi-manager approach that includes affiliated and third-party managers. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting through a network of Advisor Practices.