Vijay Thakkar is a CFP® with 34 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is affiliated with Cetera and has held roles there since 1991, currently serving under its institutional platform. In addition to his advisory work, Thakkar owns Vijay Thakkar & Associates Ltd, a business focused on accounting, tax preparation, and payroll processing. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser that supports a large nationwide network of independent advisors, offering a range of portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement services to individuals, employer-sponsored plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm operates a multi-manager platform that provides advisors with various program options and access to third-party managers.

Robert Watson is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with six years at the firm and a total of 24 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2020, he worked at BMO Harris Bank from 2002 to 2020. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning through its Financial Advisors and Estate Planning Strategies Group. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes structured planning tools and scenario modeling as part of its financial planning process.

Douglas Grove is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with 31 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked at firms including Principal Life, MassMutual, Fidelity Investments, and Thrivent Financial. Thrivent Investment Management offers Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, providing goal-based, holistic financial planning without discretionary portfolio management. The firm’s approach includes periodic reviews and allows clients to combine planning with managed-account services through an integrated billing option.

Kelsey Lahue is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 65 and Series 63 registrations. Lahue has experience working at firms including Oracle and Cerner Corporation prior to joining LPL Financial. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting supported by research and model portfolio options.

Bradley Parks is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial with 23 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® and Series 66 designations and previously worked at UBS Financial Services Inc. for 11 years before joining Raymond James in 2020. Parks is also the president of Mountain Street Advisors, LLC, a support company created for his independent contractor role. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning and investment consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary advice using various analytical tools and supports municipal and public finance work through a unique affiliated municipal advisor.

Justin Pisellini is a financial advisor at LPL Financial in Wheaton, IL, with 15 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 credential and previously worked at Edward Jones for eight years before joining LPL Financial in 2018. In addition to his advisory role, he works as a part-time licensed administrative assistant for another financial advisor in his office. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a broad range of clients including individuals, retirement plans, banks, and charitable organizations. The firm offers various advisory programs, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services, combining discretionary and non-discretionary management with access to model portfolios and research from multiple sources.

Kyle Haider is a Wealth Management Senior Relationship Manager at Fidelity Investments. In this role, he partners with clients and collaborates closely throughout their financial journey, working with Fidelity's independent investors and their families to deliver service within Private Wealth Management. Kyle has been with Fidelity Investments since 2021, progressing through roles including Relationship Manager, Planning Consultant, Financial Consultant, and currently Senior Relationship Manager. Prior to Fidelity, he worked as a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones from 2019 to 2021. He holds an Arkansas Insurance License. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Kyle's personal interests include cars, family activities, traveling, and volunteering.

Brian Richter is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. He has worked at Charles Schwab and Charles Schwab Bank since 2024 and previously held roles at Equity Services Inc and National Life Group. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and affiliated managed-account and financial planning services. The firm offers a combination of non-discretionary advisory relationships and access to discretionary separately managed accounts, supported by multi-asset model portfolios and due diligence from Schwab’s Center for Financial Research.

David Tsang is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Oswego, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. His career includes long-term roles at Harris Investor Services Inc and Harris Bank. Outside of advising, he serves as an assistant tennis coach at Rosary Catholic High School. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, retirement consulting, and brokerage services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by research and model portfolios.

Philip Harwood is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 19 years of industry experience. He has worked at various Wells Fargo entities since 2009, including Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, Wells Fargo Clearing, and Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a large broker-dealer and registered investment adviser that provides investment and fee-based financial planning services to individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of planning services, including specialized areas such as business-owner transition and special-needs analysis, leveraging Wells Fargo research and tools to develop tailored client recommendations.

Susan Lewis is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Naperville, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. Her career includes over two decades at Avantax Advisory Services and related firms, and she has operated her own tax preparation and bookkeeping business since 1986. Outside of advising, she owns businesses involved in truck body building and hydraulic cylinder repair. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and financial planning services supported by research and model portfolios, along with various non-advisory financial products and lending solutions.

Carmen Paulo is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, bringing 19 years of industry experience. She has worked at J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and has been associated with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 2010. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors through its Institutional Consulting Services program. The firm combines quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applies an ESG eligibility framework when recommending investment strategies.

Dino Marnell is a financial advisor with OSAIC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 31 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. for 14 years and has operated Marnell Financial Services since 2001. Outside of advising, he serves on the boards of two LLCs involved in business decision-making and is a CPA involved in income tax and accounting consulting. OSAIC serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations through a wide network of financial advisers. The firm offers integrated brokerage and advisory services utilizing advanced portfolio construction tools and third-party platforms, supporting both discretionary and non-discretionary account management.

John Vanderpool is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, Morgan Stanley, and Merrill. Outside of finance, he was involved in a painting business from 2014 to 2017. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service targeted at individuals nearing or in retirement who meet certain asset thresholds. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to provide annual recommendation reports, emphasizing managed accounts and using algorithmic tools overseen by a dedicated committee.

Shahzad Shamsuddin is a financial advisor with Cetera who holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 13 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at firms such as Old Second National Bank, LPL Financial, and Fifth Third Securities. He is also the owner of SARZ, LLC. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services, operating a multi-manager platform with over $256 billion in assets under management.

Mark De Nicolo is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with three years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including E*Trade Securities and TD Ameritrade. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applying an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations.

Mazin Qureshi is a CFA® charterholder with 10 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Edelman Financial Engines. His prior roles include positions at JP Morgan Chase, LCM Capital Management Inc., and FactSet. Edelman Financial Engines provides technology-enabled investment advisory services focused on workplace retirement accounts, IRAs, taxable accounts, and institutional clients. The firm manages model-based and customized portfolios, offers sub-advisory services, and supports a large client base through both advisor-led and online platforms.

Michael Chong is a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 26 years of industry experience. He previously worked at LPL Financial, LLC for 14 years before joining Ameriprise in 2020. Outside of his advisory role, he is the owner of Voyage Financial Group, LLC, a business focused on business development, marketing, and sales services for clients. Ameriprise offers retirement-income planning services primarily for clients with significant investable assets, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to provide tailored, written recommendations. The firm delivers these services through a centralized consulting team in partnership with its financial advisors and utilizes algorithmic automation alongside oversight committees to support its planning process.

Jack Strimel is a financial advisor at Fidelity with a Series 66 credential and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Fidelity, he held various roles outside the financial sector, including positions in healthcare, education, and customer service. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to a diverse client base ranging from retail and institutional investors to registered investment companies. The firm uses a combination of proprietary fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and systematic methodologies to construct model portfolios across mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.

Carl Morreale is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Wheaton, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 14 years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2025, he worked at Grove Point Advisors, LLC and Grove Point Investments, LLC. Morreale is also an insurance agent involved in non-variable insurance products. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of advisers. The firm offers financial planning, advisory programs, and retirement consulting, utilizing a range of model portfolios and research resources.