Abby Lord is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. She has worked at TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC and TIAA since 2019 and previously held positions at Beach and Associates and Maine Savings Federal Credit Union. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals with pre-existing retirement plan relationships, as well as to trusts, estates, partnerships, and small retirement plans. The firm also advises a donor-advised fund and operates within a vertically integrated group offering affiliated funds.

Ross Kirkman is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF based in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 19 years of industry experience. He has been with TIAA-CREF since 2010, including its Advice & Planning Services division from 2012 onward. Outside of finance, he is involved in a business selling Angus beef to restaurants and farmers markets in Silver City, NC. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals connected to employer retirement plans, as well as to trusts, estates, and small retirement plans. The firm’s advisory model distinguishes between point-in-time planning and ongoing portfolio management, providing both model-based and customized portfolio options.

Brett Covert is a CFP® with 15 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Corient. His work history includes roles at Ci Brightworth, Bank of America, Merrill, and Wells Fargo Advisors. He is located in Charlotte, NC. Corient provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a broad client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm employs a goals-based, team investment approach combining in-house strategies and third-party manager solutions, with continuous portfolio monitoring and risk management tools.

Timothy Jones is a financial advisor at Janney Montgomery Scott with 37 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Wells Fargo and Janney Montgomery Scott in various roles since 2014. Janney Montgomery Scott is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $110 billion in client assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, families, trusts, corporate and retirement plans, and offers brokerage, financial planning, and advisory services with both in-house and third-party portfolio management.

Willie Stokes is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 25 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, 65, and 66 credentials and has previously worked at TIAA, Innovation Partners LLC, and Mass Mutual Investors Services. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm offers asset allocation, fiduciary support, and a manager-selection program through a mix of discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, relying on third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools.

Allen Schiff is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 31 years of industry experience. He has been with TIAA and TIAA-CREF since 1994 and 2002 respectively. Outside of his advisory role, Schiff is an owner of a vacation rental property in Sunset Beach, North Carolina. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals connected to TIAA-administered retirement plans, as well as to trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans. The firm’s advisory model separates one-time planning services from ongoing discretionary management and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund.

Matthew Woods is a CFA® charterholder and Series 63 licensee with four years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. since 2021 and previously spent five years with Wells Fargo Bank. Wells Fargo Investment Institute is a bank-affiliated advisory and research organization that provides manager due diligence, securities research, and asset allocation guidance primarily to Wells Fargo wealth and fiduciary businesses. The firm’s model portfolios and strategic advice support affiliated entities, with a formal integration into banking operations that includes serving fiduciary and trust clients.

Eric Stephen is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. He has been with TIAA-CREF since 2010. TIAA‑CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals with existing employer retirement plan relationships, as well as trusts, estates, partnerships, and small retirement plans. The firm provides both point-in-time planning and ongoing portfolio management through model and customized portfolios, operating under a fiduciary standard with a vertically integrated structure that includes affiliated funds.

Sarah Thomas is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Her prior work experience includes roles at the College of Charleston, Patrick Properties Hospitality Group, John and Pattys Coffee Bar and Bistro, and Back Bay Barbeque. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning, managed account programs, and brokerage services to individuals, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans, often serving clients with existing relationships through TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm also offers discretionary management via model portfolios or customized portfolio management and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund.

Hernando Pulido is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with three years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked previously at Wells Fargo and NYLIFE Securities LLC. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage account holders. The firm’s services are integrated with Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms and include point-in-time financial plans and optional managed account solutions.

Wendell Stallings is a CFP® and ChFC® with 17 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with Eagle Strategies (New York Life) and has prior experience at Ameritas Advisory Services, Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., Ameritas Investment Corp., and MetLife Investors Distribution Company. Eagle Strategies provides financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services to individual and institutional clients through a large network of affiliated advisers. The firm offers a range of program types and emphasizes tailored recommendations, with most assets managed on a non-discretionary basis.

Jared Green is a financial advisor at HB Wealth with a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining HB Wealth in 2025, he held roles at J.P. Morgan Securities, JPMORGAN Chase Bank, and BDO USA, P.C. He attended Wake Forest University from 2020 to 2024. HB Wealth Management is a registered investment adviser that provides wealth management, investment management, and financial planning services to individuals, families, trusts, retirement plans, corporate entities, foundations, family offices, and institutional clients. The firm employs a discretionary investment approach combining quantitative and qualitative due diligence across public and private strategies and offers outsourced chief investment officer and institutional advisory services.

Robert Lane is a CFP® professional with seven years of industry experience, currently affiliated with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC. His career includes multiple roles at E*TRADE Securities and E*TRADE Capital Management between 2018 and 2023. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and businesses, utilizing various portfolio management strategies, financial planning, and tax-aware services. The firm employs a client process focused on individualized financial assessments and diversified investment allocations.

Shalenee Yalla is a Series 66-credentialed financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC, and has 10 years of industry experience. She previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC from 2017 to 2021. Outside of her advisory role, she co-owns a rental property in Kirkland, Washington, with her husband. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate and business clients, retirement plan sponsors, participants, and charitable organizations. The firm combines discretionary manager relationships and non-discretionary consulting supported by third-party platforms and research tools to implement its investment strategies.

Donald Smith Jr. is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 20 years of industry experience. He has worked with Bankers Life entities since 2005, including roles at Bankers Life Advisory Services and Bankers Life Securities. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. serves mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals through discretionary portfolio management, investment consulting, and retirement plan consulting. The firm utilizes a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to tailor asset allocations and portfolio management to clients’ goals and risk tolerances.

Tucker Parrish is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with three years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at TIAA and TIAA-CREF since 2022. Outside of finance, he spent six years involved with Brock Austin Umpiring. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans, often serving clients with existing connections to TIAA retirement plans. The firm offers a range of advisory services, including customized portfolio management and donor-advised fund advisory, within a vertically integrated group structure.

Kevin Reed is a financial advisor at Rockefeller Financial LLC with 19 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Merrill Lynch and Bank of America NA for 12 years. Rockefeller Financial LLC serves high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, institutional clients, retirement plans, foundations, and corporations. The firm provides portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting through a Private Advisor model and consolidated investment platform, and operates as a registered broker-dealer that offers securities transactions, variable insurance products, placement, and investment banking services.

Aziza Norbaeva is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. She has one year of industry experience, including prior roles at US Bank and The Vanguard Group. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals with employer retirement plan relationships, as well as trusts, estates, and corporate entities. The firm distinguishes between point-in-time planning services and ongoing portfolio management, providing customized investment solutions within a vertically integrated structure.

Duncan Wilson is a CFP® with 14 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network and Sterling Financial Group. He has held prior roles at Lincoln Investment and Capital Analysts Incorporated. In addition to his financial advisory work, he practices law through his own firm, the Law Office of Duncan G. Wilson. Commonwealth Financial Network supports a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors by providing a range of advisory programs, investment management, and operational support. The firm offers diverse portfolio construction options and proprietary model portfolios while serving both retail and institutional clients.

Jason Payne is a CFP® with seven years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Schwab Wealth Advisory in Charlotte, NC. He previously worked at The Vanguard Group and Morgan Stanley. Outside of his advisory role, he is the owner of Payne Rental Properties, LLC. Schwab Wealth Advisory provides non-discretionary fiduciary investment advice through the Schwab Wealth Advisory program, focusing on annual financial reviews, retirement and planning discussions, and investment recommendations while leaving trading decisions to clients.