Schalk Van Niekerk is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Grand Rapids, MI, holding a Series 66 designation and 10 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors and its predecessor, AXA Advisors, since 2016. Van Niekerk serves as a board member of the Big Brower Lake Improvement Association. Equitable Advisors provides financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and other institutional clients. The firm utilizes a variety of advisory programs and third-party asset managers tailored to client risk profiles and needs.

Ella Gardner is a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where she has been working since 2026. In her role, she collaborates closely with clients and the advisory team to facilitate ongoing financial planning conversations throughout the year. Her work emphasizes thoughtful preparation, meaningful conversations, and consistent follow-through to help clients stay engaged and informed as they consider their financial goals, priorities, and next steps.

Shelley Strobel Erhardt is a financial advisor with Osaic Wealth Inc. based in Grand Rapids, MI, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 15 years of industry experience. She previously spent 14 years at Stifel Independent Advisors, LLC. Outside of her advisory work, she is president and sole member of Strobel Resources, LLC, a consultative services business. Osaic Wealth, Inc. serves a broad range of retail and institutional clients through a large network of affiliated advisors, offering integrated brokerage and advisory services along with financial planning, retirement consulting, and access to third-party money managers. The firm uses a variety of asset-allocation tools and supports both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management.

Troy Augustat is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Before joining Edward Jones, he worked for five years with the Grand Rapids Police Department and held several other positions in various industries. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm that serves individual and institutional clients, offering a wide range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices across the United States.

Jonathan Lacroix is a financial advisor at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors with 24 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Cambridge since 2009. Outside of advising, he coaches Little League softball and volunteers at Gilda’s Club during the Meijer LPGA golf event in Grand Rapids, MI. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a broad range of clients, including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and trusts, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory services through a network of independent professionals. The firm offers a variety of investment strategies and platforms, including proprietary models and third-party options, with both discretionary and non-discretionary management tailored to client objectives.

Alexander Mishler is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Hudsonville, MI, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. Before joining Edward Jones in 2022, he worked for six years at Lake Michigan Credit Union. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Trevor Shields is a CFP® with 10 years of industry experience, currently with LPL Financial in Grand Rapids, MI. His prior roles include positions at Waddell & Reed Inc and various insurance agencies, as well as operating his own consulting business. He serves on the board of the nonprofit Friendship Miles and works as an independent contractor ambassador for lululemon. LPL Financial is a national investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a wide network of advisers. The firm offers diverse advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting with access to proprietary and third-party research supporting both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management.

Bruce Pienton is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 42 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved with POD Financial, LLC, a business entity for tax and investment purposes. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and financial planning services, utilizing model portfolios, third-party subadvisors, and proprietary research.

Brendan Butterfield is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. His career includes roles at Bank of America, Fifth Third Bank, and New York Life. Outside of finance, he has been involved with Grand Valley State University club sports and has worked in the hospitality industry. 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, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of individual and institutional clients.

Steve Williams is a Financial Consultant currently working at Fidelity Investments since 2021. He collaborates with clients to understand their goals, risk tolerance, and expectations, aiming to build customized financial plans. His client base includes a range of individuals from young families to retired professionals. Prior to his current role, Steve worked as a Financial Advisor at New York Life from 2017 to 2021. His experience spans various aspects of financial consulting and advising, focusing on personalized financial planning. Outside of his professional work, Steve's interests include concerts, family activities, football, social events with friends, golf, and traveling.

Mark Darnell is a financial advisor at Stifel with 45 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has been with Stifel Nicolaus & Co. Inc. since 2009. The firm serves a broad range of clients, including individuals, institutional investors, and municipal entities, providing brokerage and advisory services supported by proprietary investment analysis and asset allocation methodologies developed by its Investment Strategy Group.

Jason Lundgren is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 25 years of industry experience. He has worked at Merrill since 2015 and joined Bank of America, N.A. in 2025. 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.

John Preston is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing in Grand Rapids, MI, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 29 years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016, following seven years at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary investment advice. The firm’s IPS-driven approach incorporates modern portfolio theory and includes a broader range of financial products, such as insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Thomas Harkins is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with Series 66 credentials and one year of industry experience. He has previously worked at Thrivent Financial and Premier Retirement Plan Advisors, and has experience outside finance including running a business called Mr. Squeegee. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, offering comprehensive written recommendations on topics such as retirement, estate, and tax planning without implementation. The firm uses goal-based analyses and allows clients to combine planning with managed-account services under a consolidated billing arrangement called WealthPlan.

Christopher Munson is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Grand Rapids, MI, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2017 and previously worked for Rocky Mountain Sports for 18 years. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a variety of advisory programs and investment strategies, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets through a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Collin Bruursema is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Hudsonville, MI, holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise since 2020 and previously worked at Action Water Sports and Servpro. Bruursema serves on the Board of Directors for Starlight Ministries as Treasurer. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a specialized retirement income service focused on written recommendation reports and ongoing tax-aware withdrawal strategies for clients approaching or in retirement.

Colton Fair is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 license and two years of industry experience. His work background includes roles at Bank of America, Cornerstone Wealth Partners, and Northwestern Mutual. Outside of finance, he has experience with Michigan Sports Academies and has held positions at educational institutions such as Cornerstone University and Howardsville Christian School. 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.

Peter Almeroth is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Grand Rapids, MI, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 22 years of industry experience. He has worked with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2010 and Morgan Stanley Private Bank since 2015. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning supported by structured discovery and firm-approved tools, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Kelli Malloy is a financial advisor with Merrill in Grand Rapids, MI, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 23 years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill since 2013 and Bank of America, N.A. since 2024. 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, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Molly Chelovich is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 18 years of industry experience, currently with Raymond James & Associates. She previously worked at Merrill Lynch and Bank of America, NA. Molly serves as co-chair of the Professional Advisory Committee for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, where she helps develop meeting agendas and provides feedback on financial advisory trends. Raymond James & Associates is a large broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse range of clients including individuals, institutions, and municipal entities, offering financial planning, non-discretionary investment consulting, and institutional fiduciary solutions.