Lorena Cardenas is a financial advisor with Edelman Financial Engines in Walnut Creek, CA. She holds a Series 65 designation and has been with the firm since 2007. Edelman Financial Engines provides technology-enabled investment advisory and financial planning services to individual investors, retirement-plan participants, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of workplace solutions, planner-led wealth management, and retirement income services, utilizing a committee-driven modeling process combined with both discretionary management and online advice.

Emil Peinert is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 20 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Ameriprise since 2005. Outside of his advisory role, he has general oversight of Baitshop Dives LLC, an eating and drinking establishment in Oakland, CA. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services focused on clients nearing or in retirement with substantial investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver tailored, written recommendations through a centralized consulting team.

Anthony Lyle is a financial advisor at Fidelity with Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 10 years of industry experience. He has been associated with Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC since 2016 and joined Fidelity Investments in 2025. Outside of finance, he is a sole proprietor fiction writer who occasionally appears on podcasts and online interviews. Fidelity, through its subsidiary Strategic Advisers LLC, serves a diverse client base including retail and institutional investors, offering investment management and advisory services that incorporate proprietary research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction.

Rima Chakraborty is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding the Series 66 designation and bringing 11 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at JP Morgan Chase Bank, JP Morgan Securities LLC, Bank of America, and Merrill. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary options. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, incorporating a broad range of investment products including insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

George Chang is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab in Walnut Creek, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 28 years of industry experience. He has been with Charles Schwab and Charles Schwab Bank since 2007. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program, offering a combination of advisory, brokerage, custody, and financial planning services. The firm provides both non-discretionary investment guidance and access to discretionary separately managed accounts, supported by a structured model portfolio approach and centralized operational resources.

Umberto Leone is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with 15 years of industry experience, all of which has been with Edward Jones since 2011. He is based in Concord, CA, and holds a Series 66 license. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, including both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth households, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporate clients, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management through a large network of financial advisors and branch offices, offering a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies, tax-efficient services, and affiliated mutual funds under a fiduciary standard.

Jennie Hunsberger is a financial advisor with OSAIC in Walnut Creek, CA, holding Series 65 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 21 years of industry experience. She has worked at OSAIC since 2017 and has been with Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Company, Inc. since 2013. She is also a partner at Next Step Retirement & Insurance, LLC, where she meets with clients and vendors. OSAIC serves a broad range of retail and institutional clients through a large network of affiliated advisers and offers integrated brokerage and advisory services, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money managers. The firm uses various asset-allocation tools and third-party platforms to construct portfolios that include diverse investment types and supports legacy program transitions.

Eric Slack is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 27 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2024, he worked at Transamerica Capital Inc from 2018 to 2024 and AMG Funds LLC from 2015 to 2018. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved in estate services on a part-time basis. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a wide range of advisory programs, financial planning services, and utilizes research and model portfolios from both internal and third-party sources.

Jason Cooke is a CFP® with 28 years of experience in financial advising. He is currently with Edelman Financial Engines, where he has worked since 2022. Prior to that, he was with Herrmann & Cooke, Inc. for nine years. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a commissioner on the City of Walnut Parks Commission and is the CFO on the board of Alumni Alliance, a nonprofit supporting former foster youth. Edelman Financial Engines provides technology-enabled investment advisory services focused on workplace retirement accounts, IRAs, taxable accounts, and institutional clients. The firm manages both model-based and customized portfolios, offers sub-advisory services, and serves a large client base through advisor-led and online platforms.

Melissa Waggonner is a financial advisor at Merrill with 18 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. She has been with Merrill since 2015 and previously worked at Bank of America, N.A. since 2025. Merrill provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions program to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate fiduciaries. The firm offers a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies integrated within Bank of America’s broader corporate platform.

Paul Kommer is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has over thirty years of experience assisting clients with wealth management decisions by providing education, advice, and guidance tailored to their individual financial and personal goals. His expertise includes managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, and retirement income. Paul holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of California System and holds professional designations as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Outside of his professional work, Paul enjoys basketball, reading, running, and surfing. He is also involved in coaching high school basketball and participates in fitness activities such as rowing, running, and triathlon.

Marcelo Francys Oliveira is a financial advisor with OSAIC in Lafayette, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 18 years of industry experience. Prior to joining OSAIC in 2018, he worked at Sii from 2015 to 2018. Outside of his advisory role, he is the managing director of Pacific Financial Partners, where he services firm accounts and sells various insurance and investment products, and he is also the owner and CEO of an e-commerce LLC serving clients in Brazil. OSAIC serves a broad mix of retail and institutional clients through a large network of affiliated financial advisers, offering integrated brokerage and investment advisory services, financial planning, and access to multiple advisory platforms and third-party money managers. The firm’s advisers utilize firm-provided asset-allocation tools and support both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management.

Hope Bolich is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and four years of industry experience. She has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2021 and has worked at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 2020. Prior to her current roles, she held positions at TJMaxx and Burlington Coat Factory. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and an ESG eligibility framework. The firm offers non-discretionary advice through a select group of Wealth Advisors and serves clients within the broader J.P. Morgan broker-dealer and banking organization.

Michael Powell is a CFP® with 17 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Ameriprise since 2021. His prior experience includes roles at O'Donnell Financial Services, Independent Financial Group, LPL Financial, United Planners' Financial Services of America, National Planning Corporation, and Hornor Townsend & Kent. Outside of his advisory work, he provides pro bono financial advice to widows and widowers through the Wings for Widows Financial Coaching Program. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that provides tailored retirement-income planning advice and integrates proprietary research and third-party tools.

Michael Mcclain Svec is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 10 years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2018 and previously at Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. from 2015 to 2018. 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 investment options that include insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep programs.

Vince Affinito is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 39 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at OSAIC since 2018, following a 24-year tenure at Signator Investors, Inc. He is also involved in insurance brokerage through his sole proprietorship, Pacific Financial Partners. OSAIC serves a diverse client base that includes individual, high-net-worth, institutional, and charitable clients. The firm provides a range of integrated brokerage and advisory services, utilizing multiple platforms, asset-allocation tools, and third-party solutions to construct diversified investment portfolios.

Stephen Macdonald is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 22 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, 65, and 66 designations. His prior work includes roles at Nuveen Securities, TIAA, and Teachers Personal Investors Services. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients by providing investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions.

Cecilia Swain is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 30 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012. Prior to that, she worked at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. starting in 2025. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides consulting services to institutional clients including corporations, foundations, and plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice and customized performance reporting. The firm combines institutional advisory services with brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities.

Ashley Coons is the Vice President, Wealth Planner at Fidelity Investments, a role she has held since 2025. In this capacity, she works closely with clients to develop financial plans that align with their goals and priorities, utilizing the full range of Fidelity's services and investment strategies. Ashley has been with Fidelity Investments since 2015, progressing through various roles including Financial Consultant, Relationship Manager, and Financial Representative. Her experience encompasses wealth planning and client relationship management, supporting clients as their financial plans evolve. She holds a California Insurance License. Outside of her professional work, Ashley enjoys cooking and baking, family activities, exploring food culture, spending time at the lake, engaging in parenthood, and caring for pets.

Aiden Simons is a financial advisor at Equitable Advisors with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked in various roles including at Capital Insurance Group and Kidz Love Soccer. Equitable Advisors serves individual, high-net-worth, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients, offering financial planning, broker-dealer services, insurance distribution, and access to third-party asset management programs through a platform that emphasizes LPL-sponsored programs and endorsed TAMPs.