Alexander Fernbach is a CFP® professional at Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. with three years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Schumann Financial, CETERA Financial Specialists LLC, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and J.P. Morgan Securities. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients through more than 500 advisors. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including managed solutions that utilize proprietary strategies and third-party models across equity and fixed income portfolios.

Marta Krupa is a financial advisor with PNC Wealth Management in Elgin, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 17 years of industry experience. She previously worked at PNC Investments LLC for 10 years before joining PNC Wealth Management in 2021. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including the Portfolio Solutions Strategist Digital Offering, an invitation-only, discretionary model account available to select employees that uses algorithmic risk assessment and approved model strategies managed by PNC or third parties.

Jesse Szlaga is a CFP® professional with 11 years of industry experience, currently advising at Mariner. Prior to joining Mariner, he worked at OFM Wealth and previously at Mariner Wealth Advisors. Mariner serves a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and corporations, offering investment management, financial planning, and specialized services such as tax coordination and employer financial wellness programs. The firm utilizes discretionary, customized portfolios supported by an investment committee and combines in-house research with external managers and platforms.

Daniel Baer is a financial advisor at Citigroup Global Markets with 19 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with Citigroup since 2005. Citigroup Global Markets serves individual and institutional clients across various wealth segments, offering a wide range of investment advisory programs and execution services. The firm employs multi-asset, multi-manager strategies and operates with institutional scale, including in-house research, derivatives services, and bespoke solutions for large relationships.

Sandra Gentry is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. She holds a Series 65 designation and has five years of industry experience. She has worked at Bankers Life Advisory Services since 2020 and has been with Bankers Life & Casualty since 2014. In addition to her advisory role, she serves as a unit field trainer agent for Bankers Life and Casualty. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. provides discretionary portfolio management, investment consulting, and retirement plan consulting primarily to mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals. The firm focuses on customized asset allocation, periodic rebalancing, and a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to guide investment decisions.

Brian Vanderlugt is a CFP® professional with 19 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. since 2010 and previously held positions at Wells Fargo Clearing and A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. During his career, he has been based in Wheaton, IL. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an integrated broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser with over 500 advisors, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers a range of services including wrap-fee advisory programs, financial planning, retirement and investment consulting, and insurance products, utilizing a mix of proprietary strategies and third-party models.

Michael Lawrence is a CFA® charterholder with five years of experience at Carson Wealth and its affiliated entities. Prior to joining Carson Wealth, he worked at Chicago Equity Partners for 23 years. CWM, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $50.6 billion through a network of more than 650 advisors. The firm offers discretionary asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan services, utilizing an Investment Committee to oversee model portfolios and providing tailored solutions including custom indexing and access to alternative investments.

Matthew Mirabella is a financial advisor at AE Wealth Management, LLC in Chicago, IL, holding a Series 66 designation with three years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Equitable Advisors LLC and independent contracting with Tax Smart, LLC and Scott Tucker Solutions, Inc. He has diverse work experience outside advisory services, including positions in retail and delivery. AE Wealth Management provides fee-based portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting to a varied client base, including individuals, corporations, trusts, and ERISA plan sponsors. The firm utilizes discretionary model portfolios and combines fundamental, technical, and cyclical investment approaches to serve over 127,000 clients through a platform-focused advisory model.

Steven Jesanis is a financial advisor with William Blair in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 22 years of industry experience, having worked at William Blair & Company, L.L.C. since 2003. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension, and corporate clients. The firm utilizes an active, research-driven management approach across multiple asset classes and provides proprietary models and access to private funds and co-investment opportunities.

E Wurtzebach is a CFP® with 41 years of industry experience and is currently with Lincoln Investment, where he has worked since 2017. Prior to that, he spent 23 years at Legend Equities Corporation. He also maintains agency roles servicing fixed annuities with Great American Life Insurance Company and Mass Mutual. Lincoln Investment Planning, LLC is a large enterprise firm that serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, trusts, charities, and retirement plans. The firm offers financial planning, portfolio management, and advisor-led consulting, supported by an in-house Investment Management & Research team that constructs strategic model portfolios and adaptive investment strategies.

Marek Klincewicz is a financial advisor with Transamerica Financial Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 11 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Sirius Holdings LLC and World Financial Group, Inc. He is also involved in the sales of insurance and non-insurance products for companies affiliated with Transamerica Financial Advisors. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a broad client base including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, estates, and businesses, delivering services through multiple advisory platforms and a large network of advisors. The firm’s investment approach relies primarily on model portfolios and third-party managers rather than individual advisor discretion.

Suzanne Fickle is a financial advisor with Transamerica Retirement Advisors, LLC in Wheaton, IL. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has 10 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Morgan Stanley, E*TRADE Capital Management, Bank of America, and Merrill. Transamerica Retirement Advisors serves participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans and IRA owners through programs focused on asset allocation, contribution guidance, and retirement planning, utilizing proprietary software and portfolio oversight from Morningstar Investment Management.

James Galiger is a CFP® with 36 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with SPC. He has worked at Sigma Financial Corp since 2001. Outside of his advisory role, he assists with his spouse's event business as a bartender and server. SPC provides investment management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, employer-sponsored plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm supports a large network of advisors delivering tailored, discretionary advice and offers multiple account programs through Fidelity/NFS custody and execution.

Dominic Ruggerio Jr. is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has 10 years of industry experience. Dominic has held multiple roles within the Bankers Life organization since 2013, including managing a team of insurance agents responsible for hiring and training. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals with discretionary portfolio management, investment consulting, and retirement plan consulting. The firm utilizes fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to create tailored asset allocations across various securities, often incorporating affiliated broker-dealer and insurance services.

Ryan Swiatek is a financial advisor with Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC and holds a Series 65 designation. He has three years of industry experience, having previously worked at FourStar Wealth Advisors, Brookstone Capital Management, and Independent Financial Resources. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services provides financial planning, asset management, retirement-plan consulting, and referrals to managed account investment managers for individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm manages over $122 billion in regulatory assets under management and employs a diversified, risk-class based investment approach that blends passive and active management, overseen by an internal Investment Committee.

Chastity Peterson is a financial advisor with Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc., holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Benjamin F. Edwards in 2025, she worked at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC for 16 years, with additional experience at Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Citigroup Global Markets. Outside of her advisory role, she is the owner of a wellness and weight loss products business under Plexus Worldwide. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients through over 500 advisors. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, investment management, and brokerage services, utilizing both proprietary and third-party strategies across equity and fixed income portfolios.

William Paton is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 21 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at LPL Financial since 2011, following four years with Edward Jones. 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, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Sarah Garvin is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Geneva, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. Her prior work includes five years at ADTRAV Travel Management. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, offering goal-based analyses and written recommendations on a wide range of financial planning topics. The firm allows clients to combine planning with managed accounts under a consolidated billing option, while keeping the services distinct.

Theodore Govedarica is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 47 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015 and has been associated with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a wide range of advisory programs to both individual and institutional clients, delivering tailored financial planning through its Financial Advisors and Estate Planning Strategies Group. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured financial planning process that includes firm-approved tools and modeling techniques.

Mark Lefevre is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Palatine, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 47 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at B. Riley Wealth Advisors, B. Riley Wealth Management, and Wells Fargo Clearing. 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.