Mannan Abbasi is a financial advisor at Merrill with two years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has prior work experience at Bank of America and the University of Illinois at Chicago. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in a family furniture business, A-Z Furniture Company, focusing on logistics. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations with model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

Pamela Cain is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Deerfield, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 24 years of industry experience. She has been with Morgan Stanley for 10 years since 2016. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and tailored financial planning, employing structured planning tools and various analytic methods to support client outcomes.

Nicholas Needs is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Northbrook, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and five years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Ameriprise Financial Services, Merrill, and the University of Illinois Foundation. He has also worked in non-financial sectors including Uber and Climate Corporation (Bayer). UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through a combination of brokerage and investment advisory offerings, using proprietary research and model-based asset allocations to tailor client solutions. The firm integrates institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services, operating as a broker-dealer, investment adviser, and futures commission merchant.

Brett Gerber is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Glencoe, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and having 10 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at J.P. Morgan Securities, Bankers Life Securities, and Country Capital Management Company. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions with a broad range of advisory and brokerage services.

Damary Marrero is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Deerfield, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 25 years of industry experience. She has been with Ameriprise since 2009, working across various roles within the firm over the past 15 years. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a specialized Premier Retirement Income service focused on retirement income planning through written recommendations and ongoing advice.

Brandon De Berry is a financial advisor at Merrill with nine years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been with Bank of America and Merrill since 2015. 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 individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Michael Benedict is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and less than one year of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Bank of America, Echo Global Logistics, PepsiCo, and Morgan Stanley. 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, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Sharon Shapiro is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 39 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including PNC Bank, Regal Advisory Services, Charles Schwab, and LaSalle Financial Services. Shapiro has been with J.P. Morgan Securities and Jpmorgan Chase Bank since 2017. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients, focusing on non-discretionary asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm’s advisory process combines quantitative and qualitative research supported by a manager solutions team and incorporates an ESG eligibility framework within its recommendations.

Robert Michalak is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Deerfield, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 51 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors since 1999 and previously worked at Axa Advisors, LLC for 21 years. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as president of a six-unit townhouse association. Equitable Advisors provides financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutional clients. The firm delivers its services through a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and emphasizes matching clients to program models or discretionary managers, utilizing both proprietary and third-party asset management solutions.

Sharon Wierzba is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Deerfield, IL, with 25 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Citigroup Global Markets, Hightower Advisors, Noyes Advisors LLC, and David A. Noyes & Company. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved with Curion, a market research company. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves individuals and institutional clients with a wide range of advisory programs and financial planning services, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. The firm’s planning process uses structured discovery and approved tools, including the Global Investment Committee’s projections and Monte Carlo simulations, to model financial outcomes.

Christopher Pina is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Prudential and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. before joining J.P. Morgan Securities. 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 and fund searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm’s advisory process combines quantitative and qualitative research and offers a broad range of investment strategies, including derivatives and commodities capabilities.

Derrick Manuel is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 14 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Northern Trust Bank and Invesco Advisers, Inc. Manuel is currently based in Deerfield, IL. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a variety of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and analyses, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Philip Fernandez is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Gurnee, IL, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he held positions at firms including Epividian and Hangar Two, and has a background that includes full-time education at DePaul University. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies supported by a large nationwide network of advisors and branch offices.

Todd Stewart is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 39 years of industry experience. He has worked at J.P. Morgan Securities since 2013, following roles at Accountants Investment Advisory Services, Raymond James & Associates, Howe Barnes Capital Management, and Morgan Stanley DW Inc. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients through a non-discretionary advisory program that emphasizes written asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm’s advisory process integrates centralized due diligence and may incorporate ESG criteria within eligible strategies.

Laura Driver is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 22 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has previously worked at Citigroup Global Markets, JPMorgan Chase Bank, and Securian Financial Services. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients through a non-discretionary program focused on asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm’s advisory process combines quantitative and qualitative research and includes capabilities in derivatives and commodities.

Gail Crowley is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. She previously worked at Equitrust Financial Group, Ltd and Securities America, Inc. Crowley is also involved in a non-variable insurance business related to investment activities. 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 and third-party asset management.

Christopher Harris is a financial advisor with Edward Jones, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and possessing 22 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2003. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory strategies, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee programs, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

John Negovetich Jr. is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services and holds a Series 66 designation. He has 16 years of industry experience with prior roles at Thrivent Financial and its affiliates. Outside of his advisory work, he is the owner of a retail business specializing in guitar sales and restoration. Mass Mutual Investors Services, a subsidiary of MassMutual, provides financial planning and asset management services to individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations, using firm-approved tools to deliver detailed, collaborative financial plans.

Thomas Benedict is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he focuses on helping clients define their life goals and align their financial plans accordingly. He holds the professional designation of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and earned a Bachelor's Degree from Northwestern University. Thomas applies his expertise to assist clients in developing strategies that connect their personal aspirations with their financial objectives.

Anthony Caracciolo is a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he collaborates with individuals and families across various life stages to develop and implement tailored financial plans. He emphasizes ongoing discussions to align financial strategies with clients' unique goals. Anthony has been with Fidelity Investments since 2021, progressing through roles including Financial Representative and Relationship Manager before his current position. His experience encompasses client relationship management and comprehensive financial planning. Outside of his professional work, Anthony has interests in art, board games, golf, museums, snowboarding, and traveling.