James Flanagan is a financial advisor with Independent Financial Group, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 38 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at FSC Securities Corporation, Waterstone Financial Group, Inc., and Re-Direct Securities Corp prior to joining Independent Financial Group in 2010. Outside of his advisory work, he is an author of a retirement planning book, provides pro bono financial advice to cancer patients, and serves as an adjunct professor of gerontology at Concordia University. Independent Financial Group, LLC serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, corporate and pension plans, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning and portfolio management through various platforms, utilizing a combination of strategic asset allocation, multi-manager portfolios, and ongoing due diligence with both active and passive investment exposures.

Nathaniel Chan is a financial advisor at Mariner with a Series 66 designation and no prior industry experience. Before entering the financial sector, he worked at Lu's Sushi and Chinese and spent ten years at Wheaton College. Mariner serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations through investment management, financial planning, and retirement consulting. The firm offers customized discretionary portfolios supported by in-house research and third-party managers, with notable capabilities in tax and accounting integration and administrative family office services.

Michael Wapner is a financial advisor with Kestra Advisory Services, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. He has worked at Kestra Advisory and Kestra Investment Services since 2017 and previously was with Utopia Green Consulting from 2011 to 2017. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a member of the Board of Trustees and Board Secretary for Park Ridge Friends of the Parks. Kestra Advisory Services provides investment advisory and retirement plan consulting to a diverse client base including institutional and individual investors. The firm offers services ranging from fiduciary consulting and plan design to advisor-managed accounts and acts as an ERISA fiduciary where applicable.

Jacob Lee is a financial advisor with Guardian Life, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Guardian Life Insurance Company, Prudential Insurance Company of America, Pruco Securities, LLC, and Axa Advisors, LLC. Lee also engages in insurance activities outside of Guardian. Guardian Life’s subsidiary, Park Avenue Securities LLC, operates as a dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers brokerage services, financial planning, retirement consulting, and a variety of advisory programs that include proprietary and third-party model portfolios.

Vincent Allegra is a financial advisor with Creative Planning, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 22 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Creative Planning in 2023, he worked for Mesirow Financial, Inc. for 19 years. Outside of his advisory role, Allegra serves on the boards of Choose DuPage and Hinsdale Swim Club, contributing to community development and local recreational activities. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm employs a financial planning-led investment process emphasizing low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies, supported by a broad range of supplemental portfolio management techniques and integrated retirement plan services.

Luis Markin is a financial advisor at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. with 18 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has worked at Fifth Third Securities and Fifth Third Bank since 2018. His prior experience includes roles at Merrill, Bank of America, and JP Morgan. Fifth Third Securities serves a diverse range of individual and institutional clients through investment advisory and brokerage services. The firm offers multiple program types, including mutual fund and ETF models, separately managed accounts, and direct indexing, delivering its investment solutions via the Passageway Managed Account Platform.

Edward Dunphy is a financial advisor at William Blair with 33 years of industry experience. He has been with William Blair & Company since 2013 and holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division provides investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension, and corporate clients. The firm employs an active, research-driven investment approach across multiple asset classes and offers proprietary models and access to private funds and co-investment opportunities.

Paul Niemiec is a financial advisor with Lincoln Investment in Lombard, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and four years of industry experience. Prior to joining Lincoln Investment in 2026, he worked at Valic Financial Advisors, Bank of America, Merrill, and Equitable Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, he works as an assistant coordinator for Sarah Kathleen Events, a special events company. Lincoln Investment Planning, LLC serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth investors, trusts, charities, and retirement plans, with a focus on educators and participants in 403(b) and 457(b) programs. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and advisor-led consulting supported by an in-house investment team and uses model portfolios and third-party managers to tailor solutions to client needs.

James Noe is a financial advisor with Lincoln Investment in Lombard, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 44 years of industry experience. He has been with Lincoln Investment Planning, Inc. since 2005. Lincoln Investment Planning, LLC is a large enterprise investment advisory and broker-dealer serving a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, trusts, charities, and corporate and ERISA retirement plans. The firm offers financial planning, advisor-led consulting, and portfolio management through various model portfolios and third-party managers, supported by an in-house Investment Management & Research team.

Themi Pieropoulos is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 24 years of industry experience. He has worked with Principal Financial Services since 2016 and has been affiliated with Principal Life Insurance Company since 2012. Pieropoulos also maintains a fixed insurance agent role focused on life and health products. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a broad client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and active-duty U.S. military personnel. The firm offers direct advisory programs, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager asset allocation and separately managed account solutions.

Jack Hansen is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor at Mariner with three years of industry experience. He has worked at Mariner Wealth Advisors since 2018. Prior to his advisory career, he held roles at Afton House Inn and Finish Line. Mariner serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and corporations, providing investment management, financial planning, retirement consulting, and tax services. The firm employs discretionary, customized portfolio strategies supported by in-house research and third-party managers, and offers integrated tax, accounting, and family office capabilities not commonly found at large advisory firms.

Jose Almanza is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group in Berwyn, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 17 years of industry experience. He has worked at GWFS Equities, Inc. since 2021 and previously at MML Distributors, LLC and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company from 2016 to 2021. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as Chief Operations Officer for Lakeshore Financial Network, a business specializing in tax preparation, and works as a loan originator for ILoan Home Mortgage. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily for employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors, their participants, and retail brokerage clients. The firm uses an integrated model linked to Empower’s administrative platforms, offering point-in-time financial plans and managed account solutions focused on long-term portfolio returns and annual rebalancing.

Cameron Nylec is a CFP® professional with two years of industry experience, currently advising at Mariner. His prior roles include positions at JMG Financial Group, Ltd. and Total Clarity Wealth Management, Inc. He also spent four years at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Mariner serves a diverse client base that includes individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations through investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs discretionary, customized portfolios supported by an Investment Committee and offers integrated tax and accounting services uncommon among large advisory enterprises.

Christopher Sporer is a CFP® professional with 11 years of industry experience, currently serving at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. since 2025. His prior roles include positions at CIBC Private Wealth, Charles Schwab, and TD Ameritrade. Mercer Global Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth families, small business owners, corporate plan sponsors, foundations, and nonprofit organizations. The firm’s investment approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory, utilizing globally diversified, risk-appropriate portfolios with multi-factor tilts and a variety of implementation options.

Taylor Reynolds is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in Downers Grove, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing seven years of industry experience. He has worked with several firms including Avail Financial Partners LLC, Christopher Financial Group, and Noble Capital Group. Outside of his advisory work, Reynolds coaches youth lacrosse for players aged 6 to 14 and serves on the boards of the Chicago Area University of Alabama Alumni Association and the Rotary Club of Downers Grove. Eagle Strategies provides financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services to a diverse clientele, including individual and institutional investors. The firm emphasizes tailored advice and offers a range of program types, managing the majority of its assets on a non-discretionary basis within its integrated New York Life structure.

Steven Gillhaus is a CFA® charterholder with 14 years of industry experience, currently advising at Mariner Wealth Advisors. His prior roles include positions at Savant Wealth Management, Mowery & Schoenfeld Wealth Management, LLC, and BMO Harris Financial Advisors, Inc. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as the elected Treasurer of the Farmington Bath and Tennis Club, a summer tennis and swim club in Chicago. Mariner Wealth Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations, offering investment management, financial planning, and coordinated tax services. The firm employs discretionary, customized portfolios combining in-house research and third-party managers, with notable integration of tax and accounting services and operational capabilities such as administrative CFO functions and a Financial Wellness Platform.

Cramer Soebbing is a CFP® professional with 11 years of industry experience, currently serving at Mariner Wealth Advisors since 2015. He is an advisory board member of H Foundation, a nonprofit modeled after the Jimmy V Foundation that raises funds for basic science cancer research through charitable events. Mariner serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations, offering investment management, financial planning, retirement consulting, and access to various investment vehicles. The firm employs a discretionary, customized portfolio approach supported by in-house research and third-party managers, with notable capabilities in tax integration and financial wellness services.

Philip Brines is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at LPL Enterprise and The Prudential Insurance Company of America. Outside of his advisory work, he is a musician and drummer with Orchestra 33 Entertainment, a position he has held since 1998. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a wide range of clients, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, and active-duty military personnel. The firm offers direct advisory programs, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers through both adviser and promoter arrangements.

Michael Smith is a CFP® with 24 years of industry experience, currently advising at Mariner Wealth Advisors since 2023. His prior roles include positions at United Capital Financial Advisers and D3 Financial Counselors. Mariner Wealth Advisors serves a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations, offering investment management, financial planning, retirement consulting, and integrated tax and family office services. The firm employs customized, discretionary portfolios supported by internal and third-party management resources and provides specialized retirement plan solutions and employer financial wellness tools.

Bryanna Unzueta is a financial advisor at William Blair with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has held previous roles at DePaul University, Propharma Group, and Rush University Medical Center. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as foundations, pension, and corporate clients. The firm employs an active, research-driven management approach across multiple asset classes and provides access to proprietary models, third-party sub-managers, and private investment opportunities.