Nikolaos Balis is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo in various capacities since 2014. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients, focusing on written asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting within a non-discretionary advisory framework.

Michael Ranieri is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Gurnee, Illinois, holding a Series 66 designation and having 23 years of industry experience. He has worked with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans since 2005 and with Thrivent Investment Management since 2002. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of financial advisors. The firm focuses on holistic, goal-based planning covering various topics and offers the option to combine planning with managed-account services under a consolidated billing program called “WealthPlan.”

Samuel Siegel is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 credential and no prior industry experience. His background includes roles at UL Solutions and multiple community and educational organizations, including Deerfield Park District and the University of Iowa. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services for Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Jason Lorenzo is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Merrill in Northbrook, IL, and has seven years of industry experience. He previously worked at Bank of America and Axa Advisors. Outside of finance, he works as a server at RockSugar Southeast Asian Kitchen, a restaurant he has been involved with since 2017. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program to Bank of America fiduciary clients, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and various institutional investors.

Adam Liebman is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 27 years of industry experience. He previously worked for Wayne Hummer Investments for 20 years before joining LPL Financial in 2025. His credentials include Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. 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 advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolio programs, and access to third-party asset managers, supported by technology tools for operational and research purposes.

Randall Harris is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he has been serving since 2025. Prior to this role, he worked as an Investment Consultant at Fidelity Investments from 2023 to 2025. Before joining Fidelity, he was a Financial Advisor at Northwestern Mutual from 2018 to 2023. In his current position, Randall collaborates with a team to develop personalized holistic financial plans tailored to client needs, focusing on educating clients and delivering high-quality service. Randall holds insurance licenses in Arkansas and California, which support his work in providing comprehensive financial consulting. Outside of his professional responsibilities, he has personal interests in food, football, museums, music, and traveling.

Kenyon Knight is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 14 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has previously worked at Wilfred Wax and JPMorgan Chase Bank. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment strategies supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Scott Stratford is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He provides wealth management guidance to a select group of individuals, families, and institutions across the country, including many active and retired business owners. Scott works closely with clients to tailor wealth management strategies that align with their goals and evolving life circumstances, focusing on protecting the wealth they have accumulated. Scott joined Merrill in Chicago in 1987 after earning a bachelor's degree from Marquette University. He holds several professional designations, including Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA). As a Portfolio Manager, he manages Personalized or Defined Strategies on a discretionary basis, which may include individual stocks and bonds, Merrill model portfolios, and third-party investment strategies. A long-time Chicago resident, Scott has volunteered for over 25 years with the World’s Largest Block Party sponsored by Old St. Patrick’s Church. He has also served as president of the Marquette Club of Chicago and on the national board of the Marquette University Alumni Association, as well as on the board of the Chicago Athletic Association. Scott lives in Barrington Hills with his wife and son.

Jing O'Brien is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 19 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 credential and previously worked at Edward Jones for three years before joining LPL Financial in 2010. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved in tax preparation and accounting services through her DBA, Jade Accountants & Tax Services. 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 and access to model portfolios, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives and multiple technology tools.

Jim Ostach is a financial advisor at LPL Financial in Northbrook, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials with 53 years of industry experience. He worked at Raymond James Financial and Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. from 2001 to 2021 before joining LPL Financial in 2021. 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 financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supporting a broad range of strategic and tactical investment approaches.

Patrick Spiedel is a Financial Consultant currently working at Fidelity Investments since 2023. He brings a decade of experience in financial services to his role, having held positions as an Investment Consultant at Fidelity Investments from 2022 to 2023, a Private Client Banker at JPMorgan Chase, N.A. from 2018 to 2022, and a Relationship Banker at JPMorgan Chase, N.A. from 2015 to 2018. His professional focus is on understanding clients' unique financial situations and partnering with them to build and implement comprehensive financial plans. Throughout his career, Patrick has worked closely with clients to provide ongoing support as their life circumstances and financial goals evolve. He relies on a breadth of knowledge accumulated over ten years to assist clients in their financial journeys. Outside of his professional work, Patrick has interests in fitness, gardening, parenthood, reading, running, and volunteering.

Jason Swedo is a financial advisor at Cetera with 25 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at Cetera and Cetera Wealth Services since 2021. He also serves as an account director and relationship manager at J.D. Power. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual investors, employer-sponsored retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform with access to both affiliated and third-party managers.

Colleen Kehoe is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services who holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has nine years of industry experience. Her career includes roles at MassMutual Life Insurance Company, Ameriprise, American United Life, Wela Financial, and Thrivent Financial. MassMutual Investors Services, LLC is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm provides ongoing financial planning, asset management, and educational seminars, emphasizing collaborative annual planning relationships and offering specialized services such as divorce and estate-settlement planning.

Joshua Noparstak is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Deerfield, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Equitrust Financial Group and Securities America Inc. Noparstak also operates Northstar Legacy Planning, a business affiliated with his LPL practice. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm provides a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning and access to model portfolios and third-party asset managers, supported by extensive operational and research tools.

Barry Skolak is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with 11 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and has worked at Charles Schwab and Charles Schwab Bank since 2018, following an 11-year tenure at BMO Harris N.A. Outside of his advisory role, he manages a family-owned three-unit residential property in Chicago. 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 combines non-discretionary advisory relationships with access to affiliated discretionary separately managed accounts, utilizing multi-asset model portfolios and a centralized operational structure.

Anthony Hubick is a financial advisor with RBC Capital Markets, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 45 years of industry experience. He has been with RBC Capital Markets since 2013. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, serves a diverse client base including individual investors, institutional clients, and charitable organizations. The firm offers multiple advisory programs that provide discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and brokerage services, tailoring strategies to each client’s risk profile.

John Seaman is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Deerfield, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 15 years of industry experience. He has worked at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2011 and at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and a structured discovery process. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and delivers services both directly and through corporate financial planning agreements.

Craig Alexander is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Northbrook, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and possessing 21 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliate since 2011 and also serves as an associate financial advisor at Piekarski and Associates, assisting with practice management and client service. Ameriprise provides a retirement-income planning service focused on individuals nearing or in retirement with significant investable assets, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver tailored, non-discretionary recommendations through a centralized consulting team.

Karina Elperin is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Deerfield, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 25 years of industry experience. She has been with Morgan Stanley since 2013 and currently works with Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2024. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a large SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and uses structured planning tools and modeling techniques as part of its financial planning process.

Kristen Folland is a financial advisor at Robert W. Baird & Co. with 17 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Robert W. Baird since 2008. She is part of The DDK Group, a team within Robert W. Baird’s Private Wealth Management practice that serves individuals, families, pensions, corporations, and institutional clients. The group offers tailored financial planning and portfolio management services, utilizing a range of strategies from traditional allocations to more complex approaches, including private funds and real-asset exposures.