Meralyn Ratnasekera is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with seven years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations. Her prior work includes roles at First Citizens Investor Services, First Horizon Bank, and SunTrust Bank. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, wrap-fee programs, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and employs over 14,000 financial advisors, offering both brokerage and advisory solutions.

Mikel Chalmers is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he currently assists clients and their families in understanding and achieving their financial goals. He collaborates with clients to analyze all aspects of their financial lives and develops plans to work towards meeting those goals. Mikel has held several roles in the financial services industry, including Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments from 2022 to 2023, and Paraplanner at Ameriprise Financial during 2020 and 2021. Prior to that, he was an Associate Advisor at Millennium Advisory Services from 2018 to 2020. He holds insurance licenses in both Arkansas and California.

Jovana Romero Hernandez is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Bank of America and Merrill. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm offering investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and provides both brokerage and advisory solutions, utilizing research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.

Seth Ellington is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Cary, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Equitable Advisors, he worked at Fidelity Investments and has a background that includes various roles at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and other organizations. Equitable Advisors serves individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, corporations, and charitable organizations by providing financial planning, retirement plan support, and access to asset management through multiple third-party programs. The firm operates a hybrid referral and implementation model, utilizing a broad roster of asset managers and offering both advisory and brokerage channels to meet client needs.

Manish Mehta is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Cary, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 24 years of industry experience. He has been with UBS Financial Services since 2008. Outside of his advisory role, Mehta is involved in managing real estate investments through his ownership and decision-making roles in multiple real estate partnerships and sole proprietorships. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients with brokerage and investment advisory services, employing model-based asset allocations and proprietary research to tailor plans to clients' goals and risk tolerances. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services and offers a broad array of financial products and solutions.

Sandra Gunnels is a financial advisor at Fidelity with Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Fidelity Investments, she held roles in various companies, including Trophy Brewing and Pizza and Henson Novelties. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, using a blend of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage model portfolios across mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.

Cory Wessel is a financial advisor at Robert W. Baird & Co. with 15 years of industry experience. He has held roles at Robert W. Baird since 2018 and previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. He holds a Series 66 designation. Wessel is part of The DDK Group within Robert W. Baird’s Private Wealth Management practice, which serves individuals, families, pensions, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutional clients. The group offers a range of consulting and portfolio services tailored to client goals and risk tolerances, including discretionary and non-discretionary management, separately managed accounts, and overlay strategies.

Michael Kaplan is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 16 years of industry experience. He has worked at Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2007. Outside of his advisory role, Kaplan serves as president of his condominium owners association. Ameriprise is a large institutional firm that offers a retirement-income planning service for clients generally holding at least $1 million in investable assets, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficient strategies to provide tailored written recommendations.

Robert Roepke is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has worked for over 28 years. He holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He works with individuals, families, professionals, and small businesses, employing a consistent methodology focused on understanding each client's specific needs and concerns. Robert's approach begins with a disciplined process to establish explicit objectives and achieve financial goals while minimizing unnecessary risk. He utilizes Merrill Lynch's resources to develop tailored strategies and emphasizes regular reviews to ensure alignment with clients' objectives. His commitment to effective communication and ongoing monitoring allows strategies to be adjusted in response to changes in clients' lives or lifestyles. After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1983, Robert and his wife settled in Raleigh, North Carolina, where they have raised their three children. He is an avid sports enthusiast and enjoys playing golf. Robert also participates in community volunteer activities as part of Merrill's tradition of service.

Kenneth Nelson is a financial advisor at Cetera with 38 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at Cetera and related entities since 2016. In addition to his advisory role, Nelson serves as a guest lecturer at Duke University and NC State University and works as a commentator and author on economic news and related topics. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a wide range of clients including individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and institutional accounts. The firm offers various portfolio management options and financial planning services through a large network of independent advisors and utilizes a multi-manager platform with access to affiliated and third-party investment strategies.

Aaron Schmidt is a financial advisor at Fidelity with Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and four years of industry experience. He has worked at Fidelity Investments since 2021 and previously was employed by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Relias Learning. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, utilizing a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction. The firm manages discretionary and non-discretionary portfolios and is noted for its use of systematic methodologies, AI-driven research, and its advisory roles with registered investment companies and fund-of-funds.

Trang Pham is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Wells Fargo in 2024, Pham worked at Truist, Citibank, and HD Bank. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options among its investment menu offerings.

Sam Ahmed is an Investment Solutions Representative III at Fidelity Investments, a role held since 2023. Prior to this position, Sam advanced through roles as Investment Solutions Representative II (2022-2023) and Investment Solutions Representative I (2021-2022) at Fidelity Investments. Earlier professional experience includes serving as a Relationship Manager at Wells Fargo from 2016 to 2021 and as a Teller at Wells Fargo from 2015 to 2016. Sam holds insurance licenses in Arkansas and California. He focuses on assisting clients in working towards their financial goals by being attentive to detail and an active listener, emphasizing long-term relationship building. Outside of his professional work, Sam engages in family activities, fitness, movies, parenthood, and traveling.

Kristina Shifflett is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 18 years of industry experience. She has worked at Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2013. She holds a Series 63 designation and is based in Raleigh, NC. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that provides advisory programs to both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored financial planning using structured processes and firm-approved tools, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Steven Megaloudis is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with eight years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has worked with Wells Fargo Bank NA since 2014. 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 supported by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party sources.

Jessica Lamb is a financial advisor at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors with 21 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked for Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation for nine years. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as president of a business involved in insurance, benefits, and human resources. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and trusts, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services. The firm employs a range of investment strategies supported by proprietary and third-party models, with flexibility in custody arrangements and discretionary authority.

Zachary Payne is an Investment Solutions Representative III at Fidelity Investments. In this role, he provides clients with guidance on savings and investment strategies tailored to their individual goals, needs, and circumstances. He supports clients through various life stages and financial challenges, regularly reviewing and updating financial plans to align with changing priorities and market conditions. Zachary's professional experience includes roles as an Investment Consultant, Investment Solutions Representative II specializing in Fixed Income, Investment Solutions Representative, and High Net Worth Representative at Fidelity Investments. Prior to joining Fidelity, he worked as a Junior Financial Advisor at Raleigh Wealth Solutions and as a Financial Advisor at Equitable Advisors. Outside of his professional work, Zachary has interests in comedy, fishing, football, golf, spending time at the lake, and music.

Justin Meservier is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2025, he was associated with Coastal Federal Credit Union and CUSO Financial Services, LP. Outside of his advisory role, he has maintained ongoing involvement with Door Dash as a rideshare driver. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of financial planning and advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary management, supported by research from LPL Research and third-party subadvisors.

Katrina James is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 63 designation and 32 years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill since 1997. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as an administrator for a non-investment-related entity named D R E. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and various institutional investors.

Zachary Mc Donald is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with one year of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with Guilford College United Methodist Church, where he manages and leads the church's audio-visual and streaming services. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves a broad client base including 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 combines non-discretionary advisory relationships with access to affiliated discretionary separately managed accounts and employs a multi-asset model portfolio approach with centralized operational and supervisory infrastructure.