Nathan Levin is a CFP® with 10 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Cetera. His prior roles include positions at Ameriprise Financial Services and Edward Jones. He serves as treasurer on the Manors of Highland Park Condo Association Board. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser that supports a large network of independent advisors, serving individual clients, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional accounts through diversified portfolio management and financial planning services. The firm operates a multi-manager platform offering a variety of program structures with over $256 billion in assets under management.

Tracy Cook is a financial advisor at Merrill with 18 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with Merrill since 2008. 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 supported by internal Chief Investment Office teams and third-party managers, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Kenneth Kruss is a financial advisor with OSAIC based in Lake Zurich, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and having 30 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Woodbury Financial Services for 17 years before joining OSAIC in 2024. Outside of his advisory role, he is president of Kruss Investment Services, Inc., a company involved in fixed insurance sales. OSAIC serves a diverse client base including retail and institutional investors, offering integrated brokerage and advisory services through a large network of affiliated advisors. The firm utilizes asset-allocation tools, risk-tolerance assessments, and automated rebalancing to manage portfolios across various asset classes on both discretionary and non-discretionary bases.

Derek Nichols serves as Vice President and Branch Leader at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2026. In this role, he leads a team of advisors by providing support and coaching aimed at maximizing their potential. He focuses on fostering a positive work environment and developing the skills and capabilities of his team to serve more clients effectively each day. Prior to his current role, Derek was a Branch Leader at Fidelity Investments from 2024 to 2026, and before that, he was Vice President and Wealth Planner at the company from 2018 to 2024. His mission is to create a culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation within his branch while delivering exceptional service and value to clients. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Derek has personal interests that include fitness, football, golf, hiking, and motorcycles.

Blake Ripes is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Highland Park, IL. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has five years of industry experience. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan Securities and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in 2026, he worked at Fidelity Investments for five years. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and an ESG eligibility framework in its investment approach.

James Oshaughnessy is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 34 years of industry experience. He has worked at several firms, including Global Retirement Partners, LLC, Hub International, and Equitable Advisors. Oshaughnessy provides investment advisory services through Global Retirement Partners, LLC, an independent registered investment advisor. 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 financial planning, asset management, and institutional platforms, utilizing model portfolios and customized strategies supported by advanced operational and research tools.

Todd Bauman is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Arlington Heights, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 30 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2009. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services primarily for clients approaching or in retirement with substantial investable assets, using a centralized consulting team to deliver tailored, non-discretionary recommendations that incorporate research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis. The firm offers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions typical of a large institutional provider.

Nicholas Curio is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Deerfield, IL, holding a Series 66 designation. He has been with Morgan Stanley and its Private Bank since 2026 and previously worked at Second Avenue and UBS Financial Services Inc. Outside of finance, his background includes work in the hospitality and retail sectors. 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 financial planning services, utilizing structured planning tools and investment models while generally acting in an advisory capacity.

John Tofilon is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 41 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley and its affiliates since 2007, including roles at Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a wide range of advisory programs to both individual and institutional clients, emphasizing tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and structured discovery conversations. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and offers comprehensive financial planning services directly and through corporate agreements.

Kelly Ipjian is a financial advisor with LPL Financial based in Lake Forest, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 13 years of industry experience. His previous roles include positions at OSAIC, Triad Advisors, Alera Investment Advisors, GCG Financial Services, and Securian Financial Services. 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 services and platforms, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional programs, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Shawky Yoakim is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 15 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at firms including Mass Mutual Investors Services, Fifth Third Securities, and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. As a subsidiary of J.P. Morgan, the firm combines institutional advisory operations with brokerage and investment management capabilities.

David Carter is a financial advisor at Merrill with 14 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations. Prior to joining Merrill in 2022, he worked at J.P. Morgan Securities and JP Morgan Chase Bank from 2011 to 2022. Merrill, along 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.

Kathleen Liggins is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Edward Jones in Buffalo Grove, IL, where she has six years of experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2007 in various roles. Outside of her advisory work, she serves as Treasurer for the Barrington Juniors Women’s Club and is a managing member of BK Legacy Holdings LLC, a consumer retail products business. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management. The firm offers a variety of advisory strategies, including both discretionary and non-discretionary options, and maintains a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Spencer Hunzeker is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with the CFP® designation and a Series 66 license. He has 10 years of industry experience, all with Charles Schwab and Charles Schwab Bank. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and affiliated managed-account and financial planning services. The firm offers a combination of non-discretionary and discretionary investment guidance, utilizing multi-asset model portfolios and a centralized operational structure.

Blade Varian is a financial advisor at Fisher Investments with nine years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Fisher Investments since 2013. Fisher Investments serves a global mix of institutional and private clients, providing discretionary portfolio management across equity, fixed-income, and blended mandates. The firm employs a centralized investment process that combines quantitative screening and qualitative research to construct diversified portfolios and offers sub-advisory and retirement plan services.

Dejan Acimovic is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings over 15 years of experience in wealth management, sales, and finance, with a focus on helping clients achieve their financial goals through personalized strategies. Dejan holds the designations of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA). He earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from University Paris XII and is fluent in Serbo-Croatian, French, and English. Dejan emphasizes understanding each client’s full financial picture to develop flexible strategies that align with their long-term objectives. In addition to his professional work, he participates in community activities and volunteers with local organizations. Outside of work, Dejan enjoys basketball, reading, soccer, and traveling. His approach is centered on working closely with clients one-on-one to establish tailored financial plans that pursue their personal goals.

Pandit Singharuksa is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 63 and Series 66 designations and two years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Bank of America and Interfirst Mortgage Company, as well as entrepreneurial experience with Singharuksa Company. Merrill provides managed account services primarily to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by internal and third-party management teams for a variety of client types.

Joseph Scott is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Barrington, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations with 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, he owns a rental property business in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutional clients with a variety of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning and estate strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes a structured planning process supplemented by firm-approved tools.

Vanessa Drolshagen is a financial advisor with Merrill in Northbrook, Illinois, holding a Series 66 designation and 2 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2015 and previously worked at Bank of America, N.A. Vanessa is a co-trustee of a family trust and owns a home remodeling business where she assists with administrative tasks. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

Christine Kusher is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with LPL Financial, based in Gurnee, IL, and has 23 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. and Cuna Mutual Insurance Society, where she has worked for over a decade. Outside of her advisory work, she is also a self-employed musician. 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 provides a wide range of financial planning and investment management services through a large network of advisers, utilizing both proprietary and third-party strategies.