Charles Lawless is a financial advisor at Creative Planning with 28 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Mesirow Financial for 27 years before joining Creative Planning in 2023. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in developing a patent for personal finance record keeping, serves on the advisory board of Empower Retirement, and is an author of self-help and family history books. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm employs a financial planning–led investment approach focused on low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies, supplemented by tax-loss harvesting and other active portfolio management techniques, supported by a large advisory team and integrated investment infrastructure.

Allen Berg is a CFP® professional with 11 years of industry experience. He currently works at Clearstead Advisory Solutions and has held prior roles at Waveland Family Office, Kovitz Investment Group Partners, Weiss & Company LLP, and North Star Investment Management Corp. He serves as Treasurer and Adviser to the Juliana Greenfield Family Foundation, a nonprofit focused on charitable medical research. Clearstead serves affluent private clients and institutional clients, providing investment management, financial planning, tax planning, family office administration, and institutional consulting services. The firm manages approximately $33.9 billion in assets and applies institutional disciplines through a combination of mutual funds, ETFs, separately managed accounts, alternative investments, and a proprietary Direct Indexing strategy.

Jonathan Chung is a financial advisor at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at J.P. Morgan Securities, Merrill, and Bank of America. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as an Assistant Pastor at Highland Presbyterian Church. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. serves individual and institutional clients through both investment advisory and brokerage channels. The firm offers a variety of investment programs via the Passageway Managed Account Platform and supports clients with multiple portfolio management options, including mutual fund and ETF models, SMA strategies, and direct indexing.

Joel Hochman is a CFP® with 42 years of industry experience and is currently with MAI Capital Management, LLC, where he has worked since 2021. He previously held roles at Hochman Cole Investment Advisors, Inc. and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. Outside of his advisory work, he also engages in independent consulting through the Gerson Lehrman Group and receives referral commissions related to a prior health insurance business. MAI Capital Management provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and family-office services to a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals, families, sports professionals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of portfolio strategies and integrates financial planning, tax, and bill-pay services, managing $72.3 billion in assets as of May 2026.

James Davis is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network in Skokie, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 28 years of industry experience. He previously worked at LPL Financial, LLC for 13 years before joining Commonwealth in 2025. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as an assistant basketball coach at Christian Heritage Academy. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser that supports a national network of advisors and their clients by providing a range of advisory programs and operational services. The firm offers discretionary model portfolios and customizable investment solutions while serving as a platform provider with extensive clearing and custody relationships.

Evan Ferry is a financial advisor at Focus Partners Wealth, LLC with two years of industry experience and a Series 65 designation. His prior roles include positions at Kovitz Investment Group Partners, Relative Value Partners, and various country clubs, as well as employment at the University of Michigan. Focus Partners Wealth serves individuals, high-net-worth families, family offices, and institutional clients with a wide range of wealth management and advisory services. The firm employs a long-term, tax- and fee-sensitive investment approach using an enhanced open architecture framework that combines active and passive strategies, third-party managers, and private funds.

David Brown is a financial advisor with William Blair in Highland Park, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and over 22 years of industry experience. He has been with William Blair and Company, L.L.C. since 2003. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension, and corporate clients. The firm emphasizes active, research-driven management across multiple asset classes and offers proprietary models alongside access to private funds and co-investment opportunities.

Lihua Zhu is a financial advisor with Transamerica Financial Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 10 years of industry experience. Her work history includes roles at Prime Planners Inc and HR-Block, along with her position as an IRS Enrolled Agent providing tax preparation services. She has also been involved with the Xilin Northwest Chinese School and co-owns a small business with Frank Liu. Transamerica Financial Advisors, LLC offers investment advisory, brokerage, and retirement-plan services to a diverse client base, utilizing model portfolios and third-party managers. The firm serves individual investors, employer-sponsored plans, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations through a large network and multiple advisory platforms.

Gabriel Korach is a financial advisor with Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc., holding a Series 66 designation and 15 years of industry experience. He has been with Mesirow Financial since 2010. Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc.’s Wealth Management division offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment management and financial planning services. The firm serves private individuals, institutional clients, and government entities, using both third-party managers and proprietary private investment products.

Peter Henkel is a financial advisor at Goldman Sachs Wealth Services with three years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, he was affiliated with Indiana University and has held roles at Ivy Hills Country Club and Mercy Health Plex. Goldman Sachs Wealth Services advises a wide range of clients, including individual investors, corporate participants, executives, and institutional clients. The firm offers financial planning, portfolio management, and specialized wealth programs, utilizing strategic allocation models and both discretionary and non-discretionary implementations within the broader Goldman Sachs ecosystem.

Deepen Modi is a financial advisor with Independent Financial Group, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 31 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at First Midwest Securities, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities. He is also president and sole owner of DKRS of Northbrook, a corporation unrelated to investment activities. Independent Financial Group, LLC provides investment advisory and brokerage services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, corporations, pension and profit-sharing plans, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning and portfolio management through multiple platforms, employing a mix of passive and active strategies combined with ongoing manager due diligence.

Jacob Lankford is a financial advisor with Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at LPL Financial and the Wealth Enhancement Group. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC is an SEC-registered enterprise advisory firm serving a wide range of clients including individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm employs a strategic investment process combining passive and active management, supported by quantitative and fundamental research and an internal Investment Committee.

Daniel Lanman is a financial advisor at Goldman Sachs Wealth Services with seven years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC since 2019, following prior roles at The Ayco Company, L.P./Mercer Allied, Capstone Financial Advisors, and Great Lakes Advisors. Outside of finance, he was involved with The Red Lion and has academic experience at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Universidad Pontifical Comillas. Goldman Sachs Wealth Services serves a diverse client base, including individual investors, corporate participants, executives, and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning and portfolio management. The firm utilizes strategic allocation models, proprietary analytics, and integrates capabilities across the Goldman Sachs network to deliver comprehensive wealth management solutions.

Graham Garcia is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been in the industry since 2026. Prior to his advisory role, he worked in various capacities including positions at Waterway Carwash, Shakou, and Old Elm Club. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. primarily serves mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals through discretionary portfolio management, investment consulting, and retirement plan consulting. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to develop tailored portfolios aligned with clients’ goals and risk tolerances.

John Welch is a financial advisor with William Blair, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and offering 47 years of industry experience. He worked at Rothschild Investment LLC for 25 years before joining William Blair in 2013. Outside of advising, he serves as a board member and private investor in Infotouch Corp, a point-of-sale software developer, and owns Yorkshire Motorsports LLC, selling personal car parts online. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division provides investment management and financial planning services to individuals, foundations, pension, and corporate clients. The firm employs an active, research-driven approach across various asset classes and offers proprietary model portfolios and access to private funds through its MB Investments Program.

Craig Anderson is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with 19 years of industry experience. He is currently with Carson Wealth and CWM, LLC, having previously worked at Meyer Financial Services, Inc. for 20 years and Triad Advisors, Inc. for three years. Outside of advisory work, he is licensed as an insurance agent selling life, health, disability, annuities, and long-term care insurance. CWM, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser operating an enterprise platform with more than 650 advisors and overseeing approximately $50.6 billion. The firm serves corporate, institutional, and high-net-worth clients with discretionary asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan services, utilizing a model portfolio approach supported by third-party sub-advisors and technology integrations.

Brian Kotowski is a financial advisor with &PARTNERS in Arlington Heights, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. He previously worked at UPS for six years and Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC for 20 years. &PARTNERS serves a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, charities, foundations, universities, trusts, private businesses, and corporations. The firm offers investment management, financial and tax planning, and retirement plan services using a combination of fundamental, technical, and quantitative analysis alongside both proprietary and third-party strategies.

Alp Gundes is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, bringing two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs Ayco, he held positions at Crowe and Mortenson, and spent time at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Goldman Sachs Wealth Services offers financial planning, investment management, and advisory support to a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, corporate participants, and institutional clients. The firm combines centralized investment resources and internal strategy groups with a range of discretionary and non-discretionary managers to deliver tailored wealth solutions.

Sean Koelbl is a financial advisor with Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 26 years of industry experience. He has worked at Ayco/Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC since 2021 and previously spent 22 years at The AYCO Company, L.P./Mercer Allied. Goldman Sachs Wealth Services offers financial planning, investment management, and advisory support to a diverse client base, including individual and high-net-worth households, corporate participants, and institutional clients. The firm utilizes centralized investment resources and integrates services across affiliates such as banking and retirement consulting to provide tailored wealth management solutions.

Joseph Nogal is a financial advisor at William Blair with 13 years of industry experience. He has been with William Blair since 2017 and previously worked at Goldman Sachs & Co. from 2012 to 2017. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division provides investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension, and corporate clients. The firm uses an active, research-driven approach across multiple asset classes and offers proprietary models and access to private and co-investment opportunities.