Cheryl Duda is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in helping individuals, families, and small business owners protect and grow generational wealth. She works closely with clients to understand their unique priorities and develop personalized financial plans that align with their needs and values. Her expertise includes retirement and legacy planning, tax-efficient investing, college education funding, small business solutions, and access to specialty lending. With over 20 years of experience in the financial industry, Cheryl holds professional designations including Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). She earned a Bachelor's Degree from Shanghai International Studies University and an MBA from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Fluent in both Chinese and English, Cheryl brings a broad perspective to her client relationships. Outside of her professional role, Cheryl is active in her community through involvement with District 30 Toastmasters and XL Toastmasters Club. She enjoys running, including marathons, cooking, hiking, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Ryan Dees is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 10 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has previously worked at Fidelity Investments and Bank of America. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm combines institutional advisory operations with broker-dealer and investment adviser registrations, delivering recommendations on a non-discretionary basis while clients retain final decision-making authority.

Kelly Petersen is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Arlington Heights, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2021, Petersen worked at Huck Bouma PC, James C Provenza & Associates, and Anderson & Associates PC. Outside of advising, Petersen co-owns a handmade soap business that sells products on Etsy. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including various sizes of households, pension plans, corporate clients, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory programs, tax-efficient services, and affiliated investment products.

Evelyn Gonzalez is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Fidelity with one year of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at Kelleher + Holland, LLC, Salvi & Maher LLP, and Fifth Third Bank. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including discretionary portfolio management and fund advisory. The firm employs a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to build model portfolios composed of mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.

David Markiewicz is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Arlington Heights, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and having 10 years of industry experience. He previously worked at BMO Harris Financial Advisors, Inc. and Merrill. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions through a broad range of advisory and brokerage services. The firm supports a large network of advisors with diverse investment strategies and offers multiple financial products alongside its advisory platform.

Derek Hartmann is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and has been with LPL Financial since 2019. Outside of his advisory work, he occasionally caddies at a private golf club and is involved in restoration work through a separate business. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individual and institutional clients through a broad network. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment management services, using model portfolios, third-party subadvisors, and customized strategies across various asset classes.

Jennifer Wilcoxen is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 15 years of industry experience. She has worked with Cetera and its related entities since 2013 and previously spent over a decade at Exemplar Financial Network. Wilcoxen is also a branch manager for Tartan Financial Services, LLC, a financial services DBA. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a large SEC-registered firm supporting a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts, offering a range of portfolio management and financial planning services through multiple program structures and affiliated managers.

Susan Marks is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. She has worked at J.P. Morgan Securities and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank since 2020 and was previously employed at Stifel, Nicolaus Inc. from 2018 to 2020. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting through a select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with brokerage and investment management capabilities.

Jeff Fjeldheim is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 28 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously operated Fjeldheim Financial Group for 15 years and worked with Raymond James Financial Services for 17 years. Fjeldheim maintains ownership of Fjeldheim Financial Group, LLC, primarily to manage the wind-down of his prior independent advisory business. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services aimed at individuals nearing or in retirement who meet specific asset criteria, delivering written recommendations focused on income sources, Social Security options, and tax-efficient withdrawal strategies. The firm combines proprietary research and modeling with advisory and brokerage solutions through affiliated entities.

Ann Jenkins is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 32 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Ameriprise since 2018, following a 20-year tenure at Fidelity Brokerage Services. Outside of her advisory role, she has a long-standing position with Petsmart. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services primarily for clients with significant investable assets, combining research and modeling with tax-efficient strategies. The firm offers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through affiliated entities.

Kimaron Gardner is a financial advisor with Stifel in Barrington, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 37 years of industry experience. He has been with Stifel since 2007 and concurrently serves as a shareholder, officer, and director at Gardner Building & Development Inc., a land ownership and development business he has been involved with since 1990. Gardner is also a board member and secretary of The Grove at Wynstone Homeowners' Association. Stifel serves a broad range of clients, including individuals, institutional investors, charitable organizations, and municipal entities, offering both brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm utilizes a proprietary investment methodology developed by its Investment Strategy Group to provide asset allocation and planning analyses intended to support client decision-making.

Kellie Perrault is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 32 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked previously at First Midwest Bank and Old National Bank. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Larry Ekstrom is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 47 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2009 and 2015, respectively. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the advisory board of the Swedish American Museum and participates on the board and finance committee of the Barrington Area Conservation Trust. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offers a broad range of advisory programs to individual and institutional clients, providing tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and research.

Jared Simon is a financial advisor with Cetera in Arlington Heights, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has 35 years of industry experience and has been with Cetera and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC since 2004. Jared is also the owner and manager of RJ Simon, LLC, a certified public accounting firm providing tax and accounting services to individuals and businesses. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving a broad range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with various program options and access to third-party money managers, managing over $256 billion in assets through a network of more than 10,000 advisors.

Scott Holzer is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 38 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015 and has worked at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2012. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer offering a wide range of advisory programs for individuals and institutional clients. The firm provides tailored financial planning services, utilizing structured discovery conversations and firm-approved planning tools.

Robin Drost is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with LPL Financial based in Palatine, IL, with seven years of industry experience. He previously worked at BMO Harris Financial Advisors and BMO Harris Bank, totaling 11 years before joining LPL Financial. LPL Financial is a national broker‑dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions through a large network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory services including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Kenneth Munao is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Barrington, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 22 years of industry experience. He has been with various Morgan Stanley entities since 2007, including Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Outside of his advisory role, he is the sole proprietor of Daddy's Dip Racing Stable. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and financial planning services that incorporate firm-approved tools and strategies tailored to client needs.

Oscar Villalva is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he works closely with individuals and families to develop personalized financial strategies that address education planning, family wealth management, personal retirement planning, and retirement income. He provides guidance on various financial matters including investing, retirement planning, and saving for unexpected events, and also connects clients with Bank of America specialists for banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. Oscar holds a Bachelor's Degree from Escuela Bancaria y Comercial and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He is fluent in both English and Spanish, enabling him to serve a diverse client base. Outside of his professional work, Oscar enjoys playing soccer and tennis, and spending time with his family.

Paul Sylvia is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Gurnee, IL, holding the CFA® designation and Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses. He has 10 years of industry experience with prior roles at firms including Northwestern Mutual and Aon Corporation. Sylvia operates through Ellio Wealth Advisors, LLC, the ownership entity for his practice. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that provides tailored retirement planning advice focused on dependable income and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

George Christopoulos is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 1999. Outside of his advisory role, he operates a DBA named 72 Financial and spends a small portion of his time processing non-variable insurance through external agencies. 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 various investment management platforms.