Pierre Pajak is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Oak Brook, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and possessing 33 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors since 1999 and was previously affiliated with AXA Advisors, LLC. He serves as president of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) board as of 2023. 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 managers to deliver customized investment solutions.

Natalia Peterson is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with 3 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Charles Schwab Bank, SSB since 2023. Her prior work experience includes roles at Actalent Services, KinderCare Learning Centers, and Walmart. Charles Schwab serves a large client base, 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 combines non-discretionary advisory relationships with access to discretionary separately managed accounts and a centralized operational structure.

Demetrios Triantafel is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley and its Private Bank since 2021, with intermittent periods outside the industry. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a large SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, including financial planning and estate planning services. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and emphasizes a structured planning process supported by firm-approved tools and modeling techniques.

Isabel Mitria is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Oakbrook Terrace, IL, holding a Series 66 credential and bringing eight years of industry experience. She has been with UBS Financial Services since 2016. 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 fee-based financial planning, portfolio management, and access to proprietary research to tailor investment plans to clients’ goals and risk tolerances.

Madelen Betbadal is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 26 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012, while also maintaining a position with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 1996. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients, focusing on written asset allocation advice, investment manager and fund searches, and customized performance reporting through a non-discretionary program. Their advisory process combines quantitative screens and qualitative research, incorporating ESG frameworks and utilizing broader derivatives and commodities capabilities.

Heather Chron Bernard is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with Series 66 credentials and four years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2022, she worked at Engage2Learn for one year and spent 21 years with Chicago Public Schools. She serves as a community member on the Edison Park Local School Council, where she participates in principal evaluations and school budget decisions. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, with a nationwide network of thousands of advisors and branch offices. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Jason Dobrzynski is a CFP® with 27 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at LPL Financial since 2021. His prior experience includes roles at Waddell & Reed, Inc. and various insurance agencies, along with involvement in other business entities unrelated to investment advisory. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser offering a range of advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions, utilizing both proprietary and third-party investment strategies.

Joel Casper is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with 14 years of industry experience. He currently works at Fisher Investments and has held prior roles at WisdomTree Asset Management, Foreside Fund Services, and Morningstar Investment Services. Fisher Investments serves a global mix of institutional and private clients, including pension plans, foundations, investment companies, and high-net-worth individuals, offering discretionary portfolio management across equity, fixed-income, and blended mandates. The firm employs a centralized investment approach with quantitative and qualitative analysis and implements tax-aware strategies alongside defensive tactics to manage risk.

Maria Wojcik Llamas is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Barrington, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 27 years of industry experience. She has worked at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009 and has been with Citigroup Global Markets since 2000. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that provides a range of advisory programs to both individual and institutional clients, including tailored financial planning and estate strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured planning process supported by its Financial Advisors and specialized tools.

Socorro Fajardo is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with five years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked previously at Merrill, Bank of America, and Principal Securities/Princor. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services focused on written asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting for plan sponsors, corporations, and endowments. Their advisory process combines quantitative and qualitative research to develop model asset allocations, with recommendations that may include ESG criteria.

Deepak Saxena is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2025. He previously served as a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments from 2022 to 2025. Prior to that, Deepak gained experience as a Private Client Banker at JP Morgan Chase Bank and as a Financial Advisor at Equitable Advisors, both in 2022. Deepak holds a California Insurance License. He is committed to working closely with clients to understand their financial goals and develop customized financial plans. His approach emphasizes building strong relationships based on trust, integrity, reliability, and competency. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Deepak has interests in badminton, fitness, military service, tennis, and traveling.

Clifton Mc Whorter is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and 35 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Grove Point Advisors, LLC, Grove Point Investments, LLC, and founding Clif McWhorter & Associates. He is also involved with CHM Financial Services, a non-variable insurance business. 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 model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Robert Chiappetta is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and having 30 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo since 2016. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages roughly $671 billion in assets and provides both brokerage and advisory solutions.

Derek Brase is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 21 years of industry experience. He has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and has worked with JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA since 2004. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients through a select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm’s advisory process combines quantitative and qualitative research to develop asset allocation advice and manager searches, while clients retain final decision-making authority.

Jill Strampel is a financial advisor with Cetera who holds a Series 66 designation and has 19 years of industry experience. She has been with Cetera Financial Specialists LLC since 2005 and with Cetera since 2014. Outside of her advisory role, she is a part owner of a real estate business. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a nationally registered firm serving a wide range of clients including individuals, retirement plans, and institutional accounts. The firm offers diverse portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform with various program structures and custodial relationships.

Brian Shriner is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Batavia, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 11 years of industry experience. He has worked at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and J.P. Morgan Securities since 2014. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients through a non-discretionary advisory program focused on asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. Their approach integrates centralized due diligence with quantitative and qualitative research and includes capabilities in derivatives and commodities.

Jayden Lekarczyk is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and zero years of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill in 2026, Jayden held positions at LPL Enterprise LLC, Paramount Lead Solutions, and Bank of America, N.A. He has also been involved with Park Ridge Country Club and Park Ridge Park District. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through its Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Adam Schoenwald is a CFP® with 20 years of industry experience. He has worked at Charles Schwab since 2022 and previously spent 10 years at J.P. Morgan Securities. Outside of his advisory work, he performs as a musician in musical acts on weekends. Charles Schwab serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory program, offering both non-discretionary advice and access to discretionary separately managed accounts, supported by multi-asset model portfolios and due diligence on alternative investments.

Margret Birch is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Oak Brook, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 24 years of industry experience. She has worked at Morgan Stanley since 2013 and has been with Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015. Outside of her advisory role, Birch serves as a board member of Brightside Theatre, an arts and culture organization in Naperville, IL. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offers a wide range of advisory programs to individual and institutional clients, providing tailored financial planning that incorporates structured discovery conversations and firm-approved planning tools. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs various investment strategies and products alongside planning services.

Anna Siwula is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Oakbrook Terrace, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 16 years of industry experience. She has been with UBS Financial Services since 2013. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients with a range of brokerage and investment advisory offerings, combining institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services through a large network of advisors.