John Matthews is a financial advisor at Raymond James & Associates with 39 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Raymond James since 2013. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a part-time professor with the North Carolina Wildlife Commission. Raymond James & Associates is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutional clients, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning and non-discretionary investment consulting through various programs and institutional fiduciary solutions.

Matthew Szymanski is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Since beginning his career at Merrill Lynch in 2003, he has provided traditional financial advice and guidance as well as built and managed custom investment strategies. His approach includes selecting from a wide range of Merrill model portfolios and third-party investment options, with the ability to manage strategies on a discretionary basis for clients participating in the firm's Investment Advisory Program. Matthew holds several professional designations, including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Vanderbilt University and completed his secondary education at St Joseph's Collegiate Institute. Matthew, along with his wife Emily and their son Barrett, reside in downtown Raleigh and are actively involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In 2023, Matthew was named to Forbes' "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list, a recognition developed by SHOOK Research based on factors such as industry experience, credentials, client retention, and firm nominations.

Paula Gilovich is an Investment Solutions Representative III at Fidelity Investments, where she has been working since 2022. In her role, she helps clients connect to their financial goals by translating complex financial concepts into clear and practical steps. She specializes in addressing the unique financial issues women face and supports women in planning confidently at every stage of life. Prior to her current position, Paula held roles at Fidelity Investments as a High Net Worth Service Associate in 2022 and as a Customer Relations Advocate from 2021 to 2022. Her experience at Fidelity has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of investment solutions and client service. Outside of her professional work, Paula has interests in art, Pilates, soccer, surfing, theater, and writing.

David Marion is a financial advisor at Fidelity with a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Fidelity Investments since 2021 and prior experience at NC State Employees Credit Union. Outside of finance, he operated Marion's Jewelry and Marion's Engravables from 2002 to 2018. 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 fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to develop model portfolios from mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs, while also engaging in fund advisory and consulting services.

Andrew Blanchard is a Series 66-credentialed financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Raleigh, NC, with two years of industry experience. Prior to his financial advisory role, he served nine years in the U.S. Air Force and was a homemaker for five years. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved as an actor represented by a talent agency and serves as a board member for the Apex Public School Foundation. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, offering comprehensive financial planning focused on goals such as retirement, tax, estate, and special needs planning. The firm combines planning with managed-account programs under consolidated billing while maintaining separate planning and investment services.

Melinda Poulton is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with four years of industry experience. She has worked at Thrivent Financial and Thrivent Investment Management since 2022. Outside of her advisory role, she acts as a brand ambassador for nutritional supplements and wellness products in a limited capacity. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, focusing on holistic, goal-based analyses across various financial planning topics. The firm offers a planning service separate from portfolio management and allows clients to combine planning with managed-account programs under consolidated billing.

Omid Bonakdar is an Investment Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2024. He collaborates with individuals and families to understand their goals, values, and concerns in order to co-create financial plans aimed at pursuing their lifelong objectives. Prior to his current role, Omid gained experience at Fidelity Investments as a Workplace Planning Consultant from 2022 to 2024, progressing through multiple levels in that capacity. Before joining Fidelity, he worked at Guidehouse in 2021 as a PPP Loan Analyst and ERAP Manager. Outside of his professional career, Omid has interests that include the beach, cooking and baking, movies, music, snowboarding, and traveling.

Joshua Cummings is a financial advisor at Fidelity with Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and five years of industry experience. He previously worked at Northwestern Mutual and has been with Fidelity Investments since 2020. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to a broad client base, including retail and institutional investors, utilizing a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction. The firm manages model portfolios built from mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs, and offers discretionary and non-discretionary advisory services, including fund advisory and management for registered investment companies.

Anna Hartwell is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 13 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Sagepoint Financial, Inc. and Pruco Securities LLC. In addition to her advisory role, Hartwell serves as a House Director at NC State University, managing residential student housing. OSAIC serves a broad range of clients, including individual and high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering integrated brokerage, advisory services, and access to multiple investment platforms. The firm utilizes asset-allocation tools and risk-tolerance assessments to construct diversified portfolios that incorporate various asset classes and provide discretionary and non-discretionary management options.

Philip White is a financial advisor at Fidelity with five years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at SunTrust (now Truist Bank) and Homeside Financial. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, fund advisory, and model portfolio delivery. The firm combines proprietary fundamental research with quantitative analysis and algorithmic portfolio construction and serves as an advisor to multiple registered investment companies and fund-of-funds.

Mauriel Vega is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 66 and Series 63 credentials and 14 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Cambridge in 2021, Vega worked at BridgeLight Financial Advisors from 2015 to 2021. Outside of advisory work, Vega is involved in retail sales and distribution through CAFE REBELDE and operates as an independent insurance agent. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is an SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and trusts. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, retirement plan advisory, and financial-wellness services through a network of independent financial professionals, utilizing a range of portfolio management strategies and platform arrangements.

Heather Oakley is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with eight years of industry experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2014, including her current position since 2026. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory services, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Robert Frye is a CFP® professional with 21 years of industry experience, currently serving at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016. Prior to this, he worked at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2010 to 2016. He holds the Series 66 designation and is based in Raleigh, NC. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA 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 offerings.

Liliana Barela is a financial advisor at Fidelity with Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Fidelity, she was self-employed and worked at DoorDash. She also operates an online sales business as a sole proprietor. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including registered investment companies and an IRS-qualified Charitable Gift Fund. The firm uses a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to create model portfolios from mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.

Shelley Bennett is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 14 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Morgan Stanley since 2014, including a role with Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients by providing a range of advisory programs and tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes structured planning tools and comprehensive investment resources as part of its services.

Wallace Suggs II is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 66 and Series 63 credentials and three years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Bank of America, NYLIFE Securities LLC, Thrivent Financial, and Wells Fargo Bank. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a Branch Launch Manager for Grameen America, a nonprofit providing businesswomen in poverty with access to microloans and education. 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 a range of clients, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Jonathan Waterman is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Raleigh, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 23 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors since 2002, previously affiliated with Axa Advisors, LLC from 2002 to 2020. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in guardianship and healthcare power of attorney responsibilities for his family. 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 LPL programs and a broad range of third-party asset managers. The firm uses a hybrid referral and implementation model, tailoring services based on client goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.

Daniel Griffith is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Raleigh, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has just over one year of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Osaic and Samaritan's Purse, as well as experience in education and corporate settings. LPL Financial is a national SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing model portfolios and research to support diversified investment strategies.

Donald Monroe is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Raleigh, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and having 42 years of industry experience. He has been with UBS since 2009. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and investment advisory offerings, leveraging proprietary capital market research and model-based asset allocations to tailor client plans. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services, including futures commission merchant activities and principal trading.

Crystal Dempsey is a CFP® and Series 66 licensed financial advisor with 14 years of experience, currently practicing at Edward Jones in Garner, NC since 2012. She has been with Edward Jones throughout her advisory career. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients with a broad range of advisory strategies, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee programs, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and supports a large national network of advisors and branch offices.