Leke Vala is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with eight years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previous experience at Vanguard Group, Wells Fargo, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, and small retirement plans, often serving clients with existing TIAA employer retirement relationships. The firm separates one-time planning services from ongoing portfolio management and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund while employing a fiduciary standard within its RIA services.

Sean Bruce is a financial advisor with Fifth Third Securities, Inc. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 10 years of industry experience. Sean has been with Fifth Third Securities since 2015 and has worked at Fifth Third Bank since 2009. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. provides brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate clients, and institutional investors. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account programs and features such as direct indexing and a tax-overlay service, combining its municipal-advisor registration with a corporate affiliation to a large bank.

Carolyn Menjivar is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with two years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Merrill, UBS Financial Services, and Wells Fargo. Outside of advising, she works part-time delivering food through the DoorDash app. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals and institutional clients, often those with existing relationships through employer retirement plans. The firm offers a range of advisory services including model portfolio management and customized portfolio solutions under fiduciary standards.

Daniel Valverde is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with eight years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing Services and Wells Fargo RELS. Outside of finance, he owns and operates Green Valley Photography, specializing in event and family photography. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary approaches and integrates third-party manager relationships and AI‑enabled research tools in its investment process.

Grace Pelino is a CFP® with five years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Rockefeller Financial LLC. She has worked at Rockefeller Financial and Rockefeller Capital Management since 2022 and spent one year at Morgan Stanley. Rockefeller Financial LLC serves high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, institutional clients, retirement plans, foundations, and corporations. The firm provides portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services, operating uniquely as a registered broker-dealer with capabilities in securities transactions, variable insurance products, and investment banking.

Stuart Gardner Jr. is a CFP® with 43 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC. He has held roles at Charlotte Wealth Management, LLC and LPL Financial. Gardner also serves as an agent of record for 1st Atlantic Brokerage, engaging in non-variable insurance activities. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, providing services such as asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm utilizes a network model combining independent advisory representatives with access to third-party managers, technology platforms, and brokerage services through LPL Financial.

Daniel Barry Jr. is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 10 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at BrightHouse Securities, MetLife, Guardian Life Insurance, and Park Avenue Securities. Park Avenue Securities LLC serves a broad retail client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, charitable organizations, and corporate clients, offering both brokerage and fee-based advisory services. The firm employs a range of investment strategies through proprietary model portfolios, third-party managers, and digital advice solutions, managing approximately $15 billion in regulatory assets under management.

Stacy Bortle is a financial advisor at Citizens Securities, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, with 14 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at firms including Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LPL Financial, and First Citizens Asset Management. Outside of her advisory role, she maintains independent distributorships for nutrition products and participates in online resale activities. Citizens Securities serves a broad retail client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, offering investment advisory programs as well as brokerage and insurance services. The firm’s advisory offerings include a digital advisory program and a Managed Account program, with integrated bank, broker-dealer, and advisory operations under Citizens Bank ownership.

Elizabeth Younts is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network, holding a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. She has worked at Sterling Financial Group, Lincoln Investment, USI Insurance Services, and Wells Fargo Insurance Services. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a trustee for a family member’s trust. Commonwealth Financial Network supports a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors, providing a range of advisory programs, technology, and operational support while allowing advisors discretion in portfolio construction through various investment and insurance products.

Stephen Campbell is a financial advisor with PNC Wealth Management in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 16 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Pruco Securities LLC, The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Park Sterling Bank, and LPL. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including an invitation-only digital discretionary model account that uses algorithmic risk assessment and approved model strategies executed via mutual funds and ETFs.

George Warren is a financial advisor with PNC Wealth Management in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 26 years of industry experience. He has been with PNC Investments, LLC since 2017, with prior experience at Advisors Asset Management, Inc. from 2014 to 2016. PNC Wealth Management provides retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including a discretionary online model account pilot available to employees with PNC Bank online-banking credentials. The firm uses approved model strategies executed by investment delegates with mutual funds and ETFs, focusing on algorithm-driven enrollment and risk assessment.

Brandon James is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining TIAA-CREF in 2026, he held roles at Bank of America, Merrill, and Vanguard Marketing Corporation. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans, often serving clients with existing TIAA-administered employer retirement plan relationships. The firm offers both point-in-time planning and ongoing portfolio management through various managed account programs.

Johnny Rutledge is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC and holds the Series 66 designation. He has 18 years of industry experience, including roles at LPL Financial since 2014 and Independent Advisor Alliance since 2016. Outside of his advisory work, Rutledge is a part-owner of Red Key Ventures, an entertainment business. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm provides asset management, financial planning, and retirement consulting, using both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management approaches along with various analytical techniques and technology platforms.

Christopher Knight is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 credential and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining TIAA-CREF, he worked at Bank of America and Merrill for four years. Outside of finance, he performs part-time handyman work involving small construction and maintenance projects. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals connected to TIAA-administered retirement plans, as well as trusts, estates, and small retirement plans. The firm employs a fiduciary standard and provides both model portfolio and customized portfolio options through its advice and planning services.

Casey Pond is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 13 years of industry experience. He has been with First Citizens Investor Services since 2015 and previously worked at Fifth Third Securities. Outside of his advisory role, he is co-owner of Round Table Investments LLC. First Citizens Investor Services serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities, offering a range of advisory and brokerage services. The firm combines IAR-led financial assessments with fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to manage portfolios across multiple asset classes.

Raphael Tshikala is a financial advisor at TIAA‑CREF with three years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC. Outside of finance, Raphael owns a music production and performance company and is co-owner of a trucking business. TIAA‑CREF Individual & Institutional Services provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans, often serving clients connected to TIAA‑administered employer retirement plans. The firm offers both point-in-time planning services and ongoing portfolio management within a vertically integrated advisory model.

Daniel Spainhour is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with 27 years of industry experience. He has worked at Rockefeller Financial LLC since 2023 and was previously with Janney Montgomery Scott for 14 years. Rockefeller Financial LLC serves high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, institutional clients, retirement plans, foundations, and corporations. The firm operates both as an investment advisor and a registered broker-dealer, providing a range of portfolio management, financial planning, placement, and investment banking services through its integrated investment platform.

Jennifer Kotzian is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has 10 years of industry experience. She has been with TIAA-CREF since 2015. TIAA‑CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans, often serving clients with existing relationships through TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm offers a range of advisory services, including model portfolio management and customized portfolios, and acts as adviser to the TIAA Donor Advised Fund.

Robert Murdock is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 19 years of industry experience. He has worked at TIAA and TIAA-CREF since 2007. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division provides financial planning, discretionary managed accounts, and broker-dealer services to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans. The firm’s advisory model separates point-in-time financial planning from ongoing discretionary management and serves as adviser to a donor-advised fund within a vertically integrated group.

Kristopher Carroll is a CFP® professional with 25 years of industry experience based in Charlotte, NC. He currently serves as a financial advisor at Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC and has held roles at LPL Financial, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, and Carroll Financial Associates. Outside of his advisory work, he is a board member of Bold Therapeutics and Enviro-Master International Franchise, LLC. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC is an SEC-registered enterprise firm serving individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans through a large network of advisors. The firm employs a strategic investment process combining passive and active management with quantitative and fundamental research, offering a variety of financial planning, asset management, and specialized consulting services.