Niesha Parekh is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 23 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been with Morgan Stanley since 2015. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a board member for the An Open Book Foundation, a nonprofit focused on children and youth in Washington, D.C. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that provides a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning and managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. The firm’s financial planning process includes structured discovery and modeling tools, supporting clients in implementing and updating their plans.

Jeremy Barto is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked previously at Seventy2 Capital Wealth Management and Mookie's BBQ. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is a large broker-dealer and registered investment adviser that provides investment and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of planning services tailored to clients meeting certain net-worth criteria, with recommendations supported by Wells Fargo research and planning tools.

Michael Padilla is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with families, individuals, and business owners to develop long-term financial strategies that integrate savings plans, financial goals, and business plans with retirement objectives. He serves as clients' primary point of contact and partners with a team of specialists to assist in various aspects of their financial lives. Mike graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a minor in Business Management. His professional background includes owning and managing a home improvement company and working as a Personal Banker for Bank of America, where he helped clients with their checking, savings, and credit needs. He joined Merrill in 2012. Mike holds the designations of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He lives in Montgomery County with his wife and two children and is active in his church and community. Mike spent time living in Brazil from 2002 to 2004 and is fluent in Portuguese. Outside of work, he enjoys participating in sports such as flag football, camping, hiking, and is involved with the Boy Scouts of America.

Michael Palazzo is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Bethesda, MD, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2017 and previously worked at Capital One Advisors, LLC and Capital One Investing, LLC from 2015 to 2017. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary options. The firm’s advisory process is driven by investment policy statements and modern portfolio theory, with a notable inclusion of insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options among its investment offerings.

Phillip Cecil is a financial advisor at Ameriprise in Washington, DC, holding a Series 66 designation with two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Ameriprise, he worked at Budget Blinds. Ameriprise is a large institutional firm offering a retirement-income planning service aimed at individuals approaching or in retirement who meet certain asset criteria. The firm provides written Recommendation Reports that address income sources, Social Security options, and tax-smart withdrawal strategies, combining research and modeling with algorithmic automation overseen by a specialized consulting team.

Rongxia Zhu is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 20 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Truist Investment Services and Globalink Securities. She is currently based in Kensington, MD. 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 through its Wealth Advisors. The firm combines institutional advisory operations with brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities.

James Strother is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and possessing 25 years of industry experience. He has worked with Global Retirement Partners, LLC since 2017 and was previously affiliated with Mass Mutual Investors Services from 2005 to 2013. Strother also conducts investment-related seminars at colleges. 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 wide range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolio programs, and access to third-party asset management, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Nyanya Joof is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. She has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and was previously with Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2009 to 2016. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services. The firm’s advisory process is IPS-driven and grounded in modern portfolio theory, with a broader range of financial product offerings that include insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Adam Shams is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Bethesda, MD, holding a Series 66 designation and with one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Caruso's Grocery, Sunglass Hut, Walter Johnson High School, and Masorti School. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients, offering brokerage and investment advisory services such as fee-based financial planning, portfolio management, and distribution of mutual funds and alternative products through a platform that integrates institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services.

Brandon Mazur is a financial advisor at UBS Financial Services with 25 years of industry experience. He has been with UBS since 2000 and holds a Series 66 designation. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and investment advisory offerings, combining institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services. The firm provides discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to alternative products using proprietary research and model-based asset allocations.

Alexander Gross is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previous work experience at The Motley Fool and several other companies. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a specialized Premier Retirement Income service focused on dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies for clients nearing or in retirement.

John Pagano is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors in Bethesda, MD, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and Morgan Stanley Private Bank. He is also involved in investment-related business activities through his ownership of PAGANO72, LLC and PAGANO GP, LLC. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network offers investment and fee-based financial planning services to individuals, trusts, and institutional clients, using Wells Fargo research and planning tools to develop tailored recommendations. The firm’s comprehensive planning services address areas such as retirement, education, risk, and specialized needs like business-owner transitions and divorce planning.

Connor Walsh is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Ellicott City, MD, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. He has worked at Ameriprise since 2020 and is involved in Business Networking International, where he is set to become chapter president in November. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering specialized retirement income planning that includes written Recommendation Reports and ongoing advice focused on income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Ahmon Smallwood is an Investment Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he has been serving since 2025. In this role, he collaborates with clients to develop comprehensive financial plans, focusing on investments, insurance, retirement, and wealth planning to support clients' short and long-term financial objectives. Prior to his current position, Ahmon held roles as a Relationship Manager and Financial Representative at Fidelity Investments from 2022 to 2025. Before joining Fidelity, he worked as a Relationship Banker at Bank of America from 2021 to 2022. Throughout his career, Ahmon has gained experience in financial services across various client-focused roles, enabling him to provide strategic guidance tailored to individual financial goals. Outside of his professional work, he has interests in comedy, family activities, fitness, football, reading, and running.

Jeffrey Corvin is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab based in Bethesda, MD, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 16 years of industry experience. He has been with Charles Schwab and Charles Schwab Bank SSb since 2017. Outside of finance, he creates and sells mixed media art and photography through Dane Fine Art.com and works as a florist sales processor and rideshare driver. Charles Schwab serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program, offering both non-discretionary and discretionary investment options. The firm provides integrated advisory, brokerage, custody, and financial planning services supported by strategic asset allocation models and a centralized operational structure.

Richard Gerber is a financial advisor with Merrill based in North Bethesda, MD, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 33 years of industry experience. He has been with Merrill since 2009 and concurrently affiliated with Bank of America, N.A. since 1981. Gerber is also a co-owner of a rental property business in Bethany Beach, Delaware. 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.

Dawn Durbin is a financial advisor at Merrill with 24 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated since 2014. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program for Bank of America fiduciary clients. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by internal and third-party managers, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Reed Eliff is a financial advisor at Merrill with 12 years of experience in the industry. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Merrill since 2014. Merrill, in partnership 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 plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Leonard Cohen is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Potomac, MD, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and having 22 years of industry experience. He has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015 and at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a trustee or co-trustee for a trust in West Palm Beach, Florida. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individual and institutional clients with a wide array of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning and estate planning strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and uses structured planning tools and models to support its advisory services.

Thomas Lydon is a financial advisor with Cetera who holds the PFS™ and Series 66 designations and has 18 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Avantax Investment Services, Inc. and 1st Global Capital Corp. He is also the manager of Lydon Financial Advisors, LLC, a wealth management entity. Lydon serves as trustee for multiple irrevocable trusts and is president of Lydon Fetterolf Corydon, P.A., a CPA firm founded in 1980. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser offering services through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm serves individual and institutional clients with a multi-manager platform that includes discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement services.