James Waters is a CFA® charterholder with 11 years of industry experience. He is currently an advisor at Rockefeller Financial LLC and has previously worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A., Woodbury Financial Services, Inc., Questar Capital Corporation, Wells Fargo Investment Institute Inc., Global Alternative Investment Services Inc., and Nyes Ledge Capital Management LLC. Waters is also the sole proprietor of HighStreet Partners and a partner in two entities based in North Carolina. Rockefeller Financial LLC serves high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families and family offices, as well as institutional clients, retirement plans, foundations, and corporations. The firm provides discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services, and operates as a registered broker-dealer offering securities transactions, variable insurance products, and investment banking services through a Private Advisor model and a consolidated investment platform.

Alexander Miles is a financial advisor at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with 22 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Kingfisher Capital, LLC and Stonecrest Capital Markets Inc. Miles serves as a member of the Board of Visitors at Queens University of Charlotte, contributing to the academic and cultural life of the institution. Mercer Global Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to individuals, high-net-worth families, small business owners, corporate plan sponsors, foundations, and nonprofits. The firm’s investment approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory, utilizing globally diversified, risk-appropriate portfolios with multi-factor tilts and strategic use of low-cost index vehicles.

Ty Grogan is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with two years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Bank of America, Merrill, and UBS Financial Services. Grogan served four years in the US Army and currently receives disability compensation from the Department of Defense. TIAA‑CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals with existing TIAA retirement plan relationships, as well as trusts, estates, and corporate entities. The firm operates a fiduciary advisory model that separates planning services from ongoing portfolio management and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund through Charityvest.

Joseph Lynch IV is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 22 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Personal Capital Advisors Corporation, TD Ameritrade, and Vanguard. He also serves as an adjunct instructor at Rowan Cabarrus Community College, teaching accounting courses, and at Central Piedmont Community College, where he teaches within the Certified Financial Planner program. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans, often serving clients connected to employer retirement plans administered by TIAA.

Corey Mcfadden is a financial advisor at PNC Wealth Management in Charlotte, NC, with 20 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at Raymond James, Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc., Merrill, and LPL Financial. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including an invitation-only, employee pilot digital offering that uses algorithmic risk assessment and third-party portfolio implementation.

Janet Dukes is a CFP® professional affiliated with Transamerica Financial Advisors with 13 years of industry experience. She has worked at Transamerica Financial Advisors since 2022 and previously spent five years at Avantax Advisory Services. She is also the owner of Herdman Dukes LLC, an investment-related business. Transamerica Financial Advisors, LLC provides investment advisory, brokerage, and retirement-plan services to a diverse client base including individuals, employer-sponsored plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a model portfolio approach with third-party managers and offers multiple program platforms, including Transamerica ONE and the TFA365 Advisory Program.

John Shaw III is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with eight years of industry experience. He holds Series 66 and Series 63 credentials and has worked at TIAA-CREF since 2018. Outside of his advisory role, he is a writer of children’s books published by Simon & Schuster. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans, often serving clients with pre-existing relationships through TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm distinguishes between one-time planning services and ongoing discretionary management, offering both model and customized portfolio options.

Holly Camp is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 22 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked within the Truist organization and its predecessors since 2005. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved in managing multiple short-term rental properties with her husband. Truist Advisory Services offers investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a comprehensive approach that integrates client goal-setting, manager selection via the Envestnet platform, and ongoing research and monitoring supported by AI-enabled tools.

Michael Specht is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and 19 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Equitable Advisors and extensive tenure with TIAA and TIAA-CREF since 2010. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, and small retirement plans, often serving clients with existing TIAA retirement relationships. The firm’s advisory model distinguishes between one-time planning services and ongoing portfolio management, utilizing both model and customized portfolios under fiduciary standards.

Hayden Askea is a CFP® and Series 65 credentialed advisor with Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC, based in Charlotte, NC. He has been with Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services since 2026 and has prior experience at The Home Depot and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services provides financial planning, asset management, and retirement-plan consulting for individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm manages over $122 billion in assets and utilizes a diversified investment approach combining passive and active managers with quantitative, momentum, and fundamental analysis.

Austin Nelms is a Series 66-credentialed financial advisor with seven years of industry experience, currently with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC. His prior work includes positions at Bankers Life, Bank of America, Merrill, and First Citizens Bank. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm employs fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to guide portfolio allocation across various asset classes and offers a range of investment programs and financial planning solutions.

Rebecca Kishbaugh is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. Her work history includes roles at Merrill, Ameriprise, Morgan Stanley, and Citigroup Global Markets before joining Truist. Outside of advisory work, she is involved in managing a vacation rental property. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a combination of traditional research and AI-enabled tools to support investment decisions and offers services through platforms like Envestnet and Envestnet Retirement Solutions.

Harper Hicks is a CFP® professional with 10 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with Rockefeller Financial LLC and has previously worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A., among other firms. Rockefeller Financial LLC serves high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, institutional clients, and corporations. The firm combines a Private Advisor model with a consolidated investment platform, offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and brokerage services.

Peter Kohn is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with 30 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked primarily with TIAA and affiliated entities since 1997, including most recently at P.J. Robb Variable Corp. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in residential property rental. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, and small retirement plans, often serving clients connected to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm separates point-in-time planning from ongoing discretionary management and acts as adviser to the TIAA Donor Advised Fund.

Katherine Holmes is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 11 years of experience at First Command Advisory Services. She is also a partner in NovoNail, LLC, a non-investment-related business. First Command Advisory Services is an SEC-registered investment adviser focused on serving individuals, corporate, and charitable clients, including active-duty service members and their families. The firm offers financial planning and multiple wrap-fee asset management programs managed through a centralized Investment Management Team and Wealth Portfolio Managers.

Joshua Lindsteadt is a CFA® charterholder with four years of industry experience, currently serving at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, Inc. in Charlotte, NC. He has been with Wells Fargo Investment Institute since 2019 and previously worked at Wells Fargo Private Bank from 2015 to 2021. Wells Fargo Investment Institute provides manager research, global investment strategy, securities research, asset allocation analysis, and model-portfolio services to Wells Fargo affiliates and other financial institutions on a non-discretionary basis. The firm operates through specialist divisions that develop model portfolios focused on recommended investment products without offering individualized financial planning or managing client accounts.

Jonathon Hamilton is a financial advisor with Transamerica Retirement Advisors, LLC, holding Series 63, Series 65, and Series 66 credentials and five years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Transamerica Life Insurance Company, Transamerica Investors Securities Corporation, Wells Fargo Bank, and Wells Fargo Clearing. Transamerica Retirement Advisors serves participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans and IRA owners through managed advice programs, leveraging Morningstar Investment Management’s proprietary tools and models to provide asset allocation and retirement guidance at scale.

Kellie Carroll is a CFP® with 23 years of industry experience, currently serving at Truist Advisory Services. Her career includes roles at BB&T Investment Services, BB&T Securities, and Wells Fargo Clearing. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and is based in Charlotte, NC. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm integrates traditional research with AI-enabled tools and offers a range of advisory services through its affiliation with Truist Financial and partnerships with platforms like Envestnet.

Jack Mason is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with three years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Ameriprise, West Gate Bank, and TROC Global, among other organizations. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals with employer retirement plan relationships, as well as trusts, estates, partnerships, and small retirement plans. The firm’s advisory model separates one-time planning services from ongoing discretionary management, offering both model portfolios and customized portfolio management under a fiduciary standard.

Aaron Bouronich is a financial advisor with Creative Planning in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 66, Series 65, and Series 63 designations and 10 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Nuveen Asset Management, Nuveen Securities, Global Alternative Investment Services, Wells Fargo, and Equitable Advisors. Creative Planning provides wealth management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services to a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, pension plans, trusts, foundations, and corporations. The firm employs a financial-planning-led investment approach emphasizing low-cost indexing, buy-and-hold strategies, and selective private market exposure.