Kimberly Betke is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Grayslake, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 19 years of industry experience. She has been with Primerica Financial Services and PFS Investments Inc. since 2005. In addition to her advisory role, she is involved in the sale of loan products and home security and automation services through affiliated companies. Primerica Advisors provides discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, offering model-delivery strategies and selective separately managed accounts primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm curates third-party asset managers and uses a tiered wrap fee structure for its services.

Cheryl Red is a CFP® professional with 23 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Charles Schwab in South Barrington, IL. Her prior experience includes roles at TIAA and Be Incredible Coaching. She serves as president of Woodstock Professional Business Women, a nonprofit organization focused on raising scholarships for women returning to school. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth clients through its Schwab Wealth Advisory program, offering a combination of advisory, brokerage, custody, and managed-account services with an emphasis on both non-discretionary guidance and access to discretionary portfolios.

Kathy Merritt is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 21 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked previously at OSAIC, SagePoint Financial, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, and LPL Financial. Merritt is also a co-owner of JPV Financial Inc., an advisory business based in Grayslake, IL. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services primarily for individuals approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets. The firm combines research and modeling with tax-efficient strategies and offers a wide range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through affiliated entities.

Charity Davis Lowe is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Robert W. Baird & Co. in Elgin, Illinois, where she has worked since 2015. She has 14 years of experience in the industry. Outside of her advisory role, she assists with various non-investment activities including occasional caregiving and event service roles. The DDK Group, part of Robert W. Baird & Co.’s Private Wealth Management department, serves a range of clients including individuals, corporate entities, pensions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, portfolio management, and brokerage services, utilizing a mix of manager-traded and model-traded strategies alongside internal research and strategic partnerships.

Steven Howard is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 21 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Park Avenue Securities, Guardian Life Insurance, and Northwestern Mutual Investment Management. Outside of his advisory duties, he is also the owner of Howard Farms in Maquon, IL. 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 financial planning and portfolio management services through a large network of advisors, utilizing both proprietary research and third-party strategies.

Stephen Middaugh is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Lakewood, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 26 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2002. Outside of his advisory role, he is a member of White Barn Door LLC. 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, supported by a large national network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Brian Jensen is a financial advisor at Edelman Financial Engines with 22 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. since 2016, following a one-year tenure at Tmfs Advisors, LLC. Outside of his advisory role, Jensen is a passive investor in a legal marijuana farm and distribution business in California. Edelman Financial Engines offers technology-enabled investment advisory services focused on workplace retirement accounts, IRAs, taxable accounts, and institutional clients. The firm manages model-based and customized portfolios, supports a large participant base through both advisor-led and online platforms, and operates a mix of discretionary and non-discretionary investment programs.

Paul Donato is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Elgin, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 28 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise since 2011. Outside of advising, he manages a commercial real estate office used to support his financial planning practice. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service targeted at individuals nearing or in retirement with significant investable assets, delivering written recommendations on income sources, Social Security, and tax-smart withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis, with an emphasis on assets held in Ameriprise-managed accounts and uses algorithmic automation overseen by a dedicated Retirement Income Oversight Committee.

Colleen Coonce is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding a Series 66 designation and 16 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2008. Outside of her advisory role, she works as a fitness instructor for Jazzercise. 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 a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Julie Segerson is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors in Arlington Heights, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 22 years of industry experience. She has been associated with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and related entities since 2004. In addition to her advisory work, Segerson serves as an independent insurance agent with Associate Planning Services, Inc. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is an SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, nonprofit organizations, and trusts. The firm offers a range of financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services through a network of independent professionals, utilizing various portfolio management platforms and proprietary as well as third-party investment strategies.

Stefanie Synal is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 26 years of industry experience. She has been with Primerica Advisors since 1999 and with Primerica Financial Services since 1998. In addition to her advisory role, she is involved in sales of loan products and home security and automation services through affiliated companies. Primerica Advisors provides discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, offering model-driven strategies and a limited number of separately managed account options primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm curates third-party asset managers and uses a tiered wrap fee structure, delegating trading responsibilities to BNY Mellon Advisors.

Jane Martin is a financial advisor at Stifel with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Edward Jones Investments from 2015 to 2024. Outside of her advisory role, she is a commissioned notary. Stifel serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, and municipal entities, offering brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm uses proprietary investment analysis and allocation methodologies developed by its Investment Strategy Group to support client financial planning and asset management decisions.

Lisa Micklevitz is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. She has worked at LPL Financial since 2012 and was previously with Wells Fargo Clearing from 2008 to 2012. Outside of advisory work, she serves in a township role assisting with field inspections and property measurements. 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 a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, and institutional platforms, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

S. Randall Pavlatos is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 38 years of industry experience. He has been with Cetera and its affiliated entities since 1988 and is currently the owner of S. Randall Pavlatos Accounting & Financial Services, Inc., a financial and accounting services firm. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser that serves individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a variety of portfolio management and financial planning services across multiple program structures, managing over $256 billion in assets.

Mary Witte Tabbert is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 19 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked previously at LPL Financial and First Midwest Bank. She is currently based in Gurnee, Illinois. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, access to separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Martin Lefty is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Glen Ellyn, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 43 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliate since 2015. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service tailored to individuals approaching or in retirement with substantial investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to provide written, non-discretionary Recommendation Reports, delivered by a centralized consulting team in partnership with client advisors.

Karen Kwiatkowski is a financial advisor with LPL Financial holding CFP®, Series 63, and Series 65 credentials, and has 44 years of industry experience. She previously worked at Waddell & Reed, Inc. for 39 years and has maintained tax preparation and accounting activities throughout her career. 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 a range of advisory and brokerage services, utilizing model portfolios, third-party subadvisors, and customized strategies, supported by technology tools for operational and research purposes.

Paul Skowronski is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. With over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, he specializes in areas such as college education planning, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, and portfolio management services. Paul holds several professional designations, including the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Paul earned both his Bachelor's degree and Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance from DePaul University. He is involved with professional organizations such as the Bull Valley Golf Club and the Union League Club. Additionally, he contributes to the community as a mentor in the Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK) program at DePaul University. Outside of his professional work, Paul enjoys playing baseball, gardening, golfing, listening to music, reading, and spending time with his family.

Morgan Presterl is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with three years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Spectrum Center Inc. for five years. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a specialized Premier Retirement Income service providing written recommendation reports and ongoing retirement-income planning focused on dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Susan Yore is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Stifel with 25 years of industry experience. She has worked at Stifel Nicolaus & Co Inc since 2022 and previously spent 11 years at Bank of America, N.A. Stifel serves a wide range of clients, including individuals, institutional clients, charitable organizations, and municipal entities, offering brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm’s investment approach is based on proprietary forward-looking capital market assumptions and probabilistic modeling developed by its Investment Strategy Group.