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.

Bruce Gilbert is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has devoted over 40 years to providing financial and wealth management advice and services, focusing on developing investment portfolios based on clients' needs and goals with an emphasis on financial strategies, asset allocation, and diversification. Bruce provides consulting on both sides of the balance sheet, assisting clients in areas such as liquidity management, retirement planning, and tax minimization. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Michigan and an MBA in Finance from DePaul University. Bruce has also completed Financial Consulting programs at the Wharton School of Business and carries the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Bruce has been married to his wife, Lori, for over thirty-five years and they have three daughters. His personal interests include golfing and traveling.

Jarrod James is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 12 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at JPMorgan Securities LLC and Waddell & Reed. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients with a wide range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and research. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and offers services both directly and through corporate partnerships.

John Jermak is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Lisle, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 registrations and bringing 22 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Knights of Columbus and Waddell & Reed Inc. He is president of JG Jermak & Associates, a home-based business entity primarily for tax and investment purposes. 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 financial planning and investment management services through a large network of advisors using various portfolio strategies and technology tools.

Scott Gengler is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. He previously worked at Edward Jones for five years and spent sixteen years at CUSD 308. Outside of advising, he owns Thomjohn Properties LLC, a business involved in residential property rental. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. offers financial planning and investment consulting to a diverse client base, including individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm provides tailored, non-discretionary planning using analytical tools and supports municipal and public finance work through a unique affiliation with a municipal advisor.

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.

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.

Lark Ramirez is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 23 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations. Before joining OSAIC in 2024, she worked for Woodbury Financial Services for 19 years. OSAIC serves a diverse client base including retail and institutional investors, offering a range of brokerage and advisory services through a multi-advisor platform. The firm’s investment approach centers on model-based asset allocation and portfolio optimization, supporting discretionary management and third-party solutions.

Charles Schoenjohn Jr. is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with Merrill Lynch since 1995, assisting clients with retirement planning and investments. Mr. Schoenjohn specializes in areas including college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, small business strategies, and tax minimization. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance & Investment from Babson College, with additional academic experience at Richmond College in London and Harvard University. His professional designations include Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). Outside of his professional role, Mr. Schoenjohn enjoys cooking, painting, and photography. He lives in the Chicago suburbs with his wife and four children and engages in personal interests such as riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and developing black and white photographs.

John Milder is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Naperville, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 66 registrations and 27 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2016. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of services including financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, with advice delivered primarily through investment adviser representatives using various investment strategies and operational tools.

Aaron Turner is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 32 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2005 and holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Ameriprise provides a retirement-income planning service tailored to individuals approaching or in retirement who meet specific asset criteria. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver written Recommendation Reports, supported by a centralized consulting team and a structured oversight process.

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.

Matthew Bish is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Oswego, IL, holding a Series 66 designation with 16 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2010. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of investment advisory programs and managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets. The firm is known for its extensive advisor and branch network, as well as its affiliated services including trust, mutual funds, and securities-based lending options.

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.

Vijay Bajaj is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Lisle, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 26 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliate since 2005. Outside of his advisory role, he is a part owner of V & V Partners LLC, a real estate company involved in office space leasing. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services targeting individuals near or in retirement with significant investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver tailored, non-discretionary recommendations and offers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions.

David Young is a financial advisor at Merrill with 35 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at both Merrill and Bank of America, N.A. since 1991 and 2011, respectively. 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 individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Alena Gifford is a financial advisor at Raymond James & Associates with 11 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at LPL Financial, Redwing Financial, and St. Charles CPA. Her background also includes roles outside finance, such as working with Mayneland Farmstand and The Lighthouse Institute. Raymond James & Associates, Inc. is a large broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, and municipal entities, offering tailored financial planning and advisory services supported by a nationwide network of advisors.