Heather Baalke is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing nine years of industry experience. Prior to joining Wells Fargo in 2025, she worked at JP Morgan Chase Bank and JP Morgan Securities LLC from 2016 to 2025. Before her career in finance, she spent nine years at Jewelry Barn. 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, utilizing research from its investment institute and third-party sources to evaluate managers and investment options.

Alexander Fields is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Cary, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having eight years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing Services since 2017 and Wells Fargo Bank NA since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, Fields serves as an Aviation Operations Specialist in the NC Army National Guard and provides notary public services. Wells Fargo Clearing specializes in retirement plan consulting for qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and incorporates modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related investment options alongside traditional funds.

Jennifer Bell is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She began her financial services career in retail banking in 2000 and joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2006. In her role as team relationship manager, she offers service and advice to individuals, families, and business executives. Jennifer focuses on building relationships with clients and helping them pursue their lifelong goals and aspirations by developing personalized, goals-based wealth management strategies. She holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Her education includes a high school diploma from Cary High School and attendance at Wake Technical Community College. Jennifer's client focus areas include college education planning, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, and working with women and wealth. Outside of her professional role, Jennifer enjoys listening to music, traveling, and spending time with her husband, Geoff, and their four children, Adrian, Declan, Tyson, and Ava.

Carter Weeks is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in developing and implementing financial strategies for individuals, families, and businesses. He collaborates closely with clients to create tailored plans focused on areas such as retirement planning, tax minimization, estate planning, and wealth management. His approach emphasizes aligning strategies with each client’s unique priorities to help pursue their financial goals. With expertise in college education planning, family wealth management, philanthropic planning, portfolio management, and small business strategies, Carter employs a holistic planning method. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a bachelor's degree from North Carolina State University. Outside of his professional work, Carter engages in adventure sports, boating, fishing, football, golfing, ice hockey, pickleball, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Kurtis Grant is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, he worked at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club and has academic experience from West Virginia University and South Lakes High School. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, providing tailored financial planning and a wide range of advisory programs supported by structured planning tools and extensive resources.

James Hulsey is a CFP® and Series 66-credentialed financial advisor with Edward Jones in Raleigh, NC. He has 10 years of industry experience, including over 11 years with Edward Jones. Outside of his advisory role, he owns and operates an agricultural timber tract through James Barrett Farms and serves on the finance committee of Cool Springs Baptist Church. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients nationwide, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets with a broad range of advisory and investment services.

Ashwin Aggarwal is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and with 21 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley since 2009, including a role at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2019. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a variety of advisory programs and financial planning services using structured discovery and firm-approved tools, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Victoria Cornett is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors with four years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has previously worked at Morgan Stanley, Fidelity Investments, and Ameriprise Financial Services. Outside of her advisory role, she has partial ownership in an industrial business related to barrel manufacturing and landfill operations. Wells Fargo Advisors provides investment and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, and institutional clients through a broad menu of planning options, using proprietary research and planning tools. The firm offers discrete planning engagements and integrates advisory services with multiple financial product sales and referral channels.

Obyda Abushaib is a financial advisor at Fidelity with eight years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Merrill and Bank of America N.A. His career also includes roles outside finance, such as work with Uber (Xchange Leasing) and several healthcare-related organizations. Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company, provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including an IRS-qualified Charitable Gift Fund and registered investment companies. The firm uses a combination of proprietary fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to deliver model portfolios and discretionary management services.

Katherine Bellamy is a financial advisor at Merrill with 18 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated since 2011, following brief tenures at Stifel and Morgan Stanley. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by internal teams and third-party managers, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Jennifer Pettengill is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 24 years of industry experience. She has been associated with Wells Fargo Clearing and its related entities since 2016 and joined Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network in 2026. Outside of her advisory role, she is an independent consultant for skincare products and crafts, and she works as a server in Morrisville, NC. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a large broker-dealer and registered investment adviser that offers investment and fee-based financial planning services to individuals, trusts, and institutions. The firm provides a broad range of planning services and utilizes Wells Fargo research and tools to develop tailored client recommendations.

William Smith is a financial advisor with Osaic Wealth in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 22 years of industry experience. He previously worked at SII/John Hancock Financial Services for 16 years before joining Osaic in 2018. Smith serves as Investment Committee Chairman at Wake Technical Community College, where he helps oversee the alignment of foundation funds with investment goals. Osaic Wealth serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, charities, and corporations. The firm offers a wide range of brokerage and advisory services using model-based asset allocation, portfolio optimization tools, and a multi-advisor platform designed to meet varied investment needs.

Michael Van De Venter is the Vice President, Wealth Planner at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2023. In this role, he collaborates with clients and their families to develop financial plans tailored to their unique needs and goals. His approach is grounded in treating others with respect, compassion, and empathy, aiming to build lasting relationships based on trust. Michael has been with Fidelity Investments since 2014, advancing through various roles including Financial Consultant, Portfolio Specialist, Client Management Representative, Fixed Income Specialist, and Financial Representative. This progression reflects his comprehensive experience across multiple aspects of financial services. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Michael enjoys camping, fishing, golf, hiking, parenthood, and traveling.

Thomas Warren IV is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 10 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A., Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Bank of America, N.A., and Merrill. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs including tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and models. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and provides advisory services alongside other institutional financial offerings.

Daniel Stewart is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been assisting clients since 2016. He specializes in areas including executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, institutional investment consulting, services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, managing new wealth, portfolio management services, socially responsible and values-based investing, tax minimization, and retirement income. Daniel focuses on helping clients articulate long-term goals, establish priorities, and develop tailored wealth strategies utilizing Merrill's comprehensive financial resources. Daniel holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Carolina System and earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2018. He also holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. During his time at UNC Asheville, he served as president of the economics club and was active in the sports performance program as both an athlete and trainer. Outside of his professional role, Daniel enjoys various adventure sports including whitewater kayaking, biking, camping, fishing, hiking, skiing, surfing, and woodworking. He actively volunteers with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Homeward Bound, Serve to Lead, and the Special Olympics, reflecting his commitment to community involvement.

Diana Menjivar is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with four years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Gardner-Webb University and Wells Fargo Bank, NA. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm that provides investment advisory services, financial planning, wrap-fee programs, and retirement plan consulting to individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions backed by research from Wells Fargo Investment Institute and third-party databases.

Jonah Kaufman is a financial advisor with LPL Financial based in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and possessing 17 years of industry experience. He has worked previously at Cuso Financial Services and Fidelity, and also maintains a role with Coastal Federal Credit Union. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers various advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, and institutional platforms, with a focus on combining technology and a broad range of financial products.

Brandon Cousanca is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been working in the financial services industry since 2008 and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) certification as well as the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Brandon earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Finance and Banking from Appalachian State University. His professional experience includes personal wealth management, executive compensation, qualified and non-qualified plans, and asset management for non-profits. He works with clients on areas such as college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, socially responsible and ESG investing, tax minimization, and retirement income. Outside of his professional role, Brandon spends time with his wife Elizabeth and their two sons, James and Will. The family enjoys activities near water at the beach or lake, attending sporting events, and traveling together. Brandon's personal interests include baseball, football, golfing, and spending time with his family.

Karla Zuniga Rivera is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and three years of industry experience. She has worked at Wells Fargo Bank and Wells Fargo Clearing since 2021. Prior to her financial services career, she held roles at Target and Panera Bread. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with services including investment advisory, 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.

Essence Murphy Miller is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Wells Fargo Clearing in 2023, she worked at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2018 and has experience at Humana and Conduent. Additionally, she is a commissioned notary public. 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 offers brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research and analytics and manages approximately $671 billion in assets with a network of over 14,000 financial advisors.