Brett Van Bortel is a financial advisor at Brookstone Capital Management LLC with 22 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Invesco Distributors, Inc. and the Organic Growth Institute. Brookstone Capital Management provides fee-based asset management and financial planning to a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, and other business entities. The firm utilizes strategic and dynamic asset-allocation models, a mix of ETFs, mutual funds, individual securities, and options-enhanced strategies, and serves as both a primary advisor and sub-advisor through its turnkey asset management platform.

Jennifer Dougherty is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) in Downers Grove, Illinois, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. She has been with Eagle Strategies since 2011 and affiliated with New York Life entities since 2010. Outside of her advisory work, she owns Simply Gourdgeous, a seasonal business creating fall-themed displays using pumpkins and gourds. Eagle Strategies serves individual and institutional clients by providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory services through a broad network of affiliated advisers. The firm emphasizes tailored recommendations and primarily manages assets on a non-discretionary basis within an integrated New York Life affiliate structure.

Christopher Pohlman Jr. is a financial advisor at Creative Planning with 25 years of industry experience. He previously spent 19 years at Mesirow Financial, Inc. He serves on the advisory board of Empower Retirement, participates in the President’s Leadership Counsel at Benedictine University, and is a board representative for Choose DuPage, focusing on economic growth and development. Creative Planning provides wealth management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services to a broad client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, foundations, and corporations. The firm employs a financial-planning-led investment approach that emphasizes low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies, supplemented by tax-loss harvesting and selective private market exposure.

Violet Gesing Alicea is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services in Downers Grove, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 26 years of industry experience. She has worked with Principal Life Insurance Company and Princor Financial Services Corporation since 2001. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, and business entities. The firm offers financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager solutions through various advisory and promoter arrangements.

Talonda Howard is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with 17 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 registrations and has previously worked at GWFS Equities, Bankers Life Securities, and Valic Financial Advisors. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer‑sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage account holders, using an integrated model tied to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms.

Christine Bacharz is a financial advisor with Mariner Wealth Advisors, holding a Series 66 designation and seven years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing Services and Wells Fargo Commercial Distribution Finance. Mariner serves a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth households, pension plans, trusts, and corporations, offering investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and coordinated tax services. The firm employs discretionary, customized portfolios supported by internal research and third-party managers, and it provides integrated tax, accounting, and family office services along with employer financial wellness tools.

Andrew Krajewski is a financial advisor with Cerity Partners LLC, holding a Series 65 designation and bringing 10 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Cerity Partners in 2026, he worked at Edge Financial Advisors and Arbor Financial Services, LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a manager for Grace Wins E.T., a management company overseeing a family entertainment facility in Bolingbrook, IL. Cerity Partners provides customized wealth management and related services to a broad national client base including high-net-worth individuals, families, trusts, and institutional investors. The firm uses tailored asset allocation, manager selection, and proprietary quantitative screens alongside third-party managers and individual securities.

Paul Garrett is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network in Oakbrook, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 37 years of industry experience. He has operated Garrett Consulting Corp. since 2003 alongside his role at Commonwealth, where he has worked since 2001. Outside of his advisory work, Garrett is a compensated member of a band. Commonwealth Financial Network serves a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their retail and institutional clients, providing advisory programs and support services including wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party asset managers. The firm offers a range of investment program structures and supports affiliated advisors with operations, technology, compliance, and practice management.

Robert Westberg is a CFP® and ChFC® with 34 years of industry experience. He has been affiliated with Eagle Strategies since 2000 and with NYLife Securities Inc. since 1993. Outside of his advisory work, Westberg is a CPA and owns a separate business. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse client base including individuals, defined contribution and benefit plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services, emphasizing tailored recommendations and primarily managing assets on a non-discretionary basis.

Yat Hong Leung is a financial advisor at Citigroup Global Markets with Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and seven years of industry experience. Prior to joining Citigroup in 2020, Yat worked at JP Morgan Chase Bank and JP Morgan Securities LLC from 2017 to 2020, as well as at Fresenius Medical Care Hong Kong Limited in 2016-2017. Citigroup Global Markets serves individual and institutional clients across various wealth segments, offering a range of investment advisory programs and broker-dealer services. The firm employs multi-asset, multi-manager strategies and maintains unique market roles such as operating as a swap dealer and futures commission merchant.

Paul Oblon is a financial advisor at &Partners with Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 32 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC and Wells Fargo Clearing. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as treasurer for the Purdue University Phi Kappa Psi alumni network. &Partners serves a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and private businesses. The firm offers investment management and financial planning services using a combination of proprietary and third-party strategies, supported by Envestnet and NFS platforms.

Anthony Torreon is a financial advisor with Fifth Third Securities, Inc. in Naperville, Illinois, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. offers brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to a range of clients, including individuals, charitable organizations, and institutional investors. The firm combines multiple managed-account programs with features such as direct indexing and tax-overlay services, supported by its affiliation with Fifth Third Bank and a distinctive municipal-advisor registration.

Antonio Lugo III is a CFP® with nine years of industry experience, currently serving at Brookstone Capital Management LLC since 2016. He also has a role at Smart Wealth Strategies Inc, where he has been involved since 2013. His outside business activities include insurance and annuity products. Brookstone Capital Management is an SEC-registered adviser offering fee-based asset management and financial planning through a turnkey asset management platform and wrap-fee program. The firm serves a broad client base, including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, charitable organizations, other registered investment advisers, sovereign wealth funds, and banking institutions.

James Zika is a financial advisor at Citigroup Global Markets with 17 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with Citigroup since 2014. Citigroup Global Markets serves individual and institutional clients across various wealth segments, offering a range of investment advisory programs and execution services. The firm employs multi-asset, multi-manager strategies and leverages its institutional scale and unique market roles to provide customized solutions.

Ruben Zapata Jr. is a financial advisor with Fifth Third Securities, Inc. in Melrose Park, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Fifth Third Securities and Fifth Third Bank since 2009. Fifth Third Securities provides brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate clients, and institutional investors. The firm combines its municipal-advisor registration with its affiliation to Fifth Third Bank, offering multiple discretionary managed-account programs and features such as direct indexing and tax-overlay services.

Dylan Fisher is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor at Focus Partners Wealth, LLC with three years of industry experience. He previously worked at Evernest Financial Advisors and Mitchell, Vaught and Taylor, Inc. Outside of his advisory work, he owns a small online reselling business focused on antiques and thrift items. Focus Partners serves individuals, high-net-worth families, family offices, and institutional clients with a range of wealth management and advisory services, employing a long-term, tax- and fee-sensitive investment approach that combines active and passive strategies within an enhanced open architecture framework.

Jessica Freiburg is a financial advisor at Cetera Planning Partners with the PFS™ designation and two years of industry experience. She previously worked at Avantax Planning Partners and also manages Sassetti LLC, a firm providing tax planning, audit, and advisory services. Freiburg serves as treasurer for the Parks Foundation of Oak Park and volunteers with the Illinois Wesleyan University Council for Women, supporting female students through mentoring and scholarship initiatives. Cetera Planning Partners serves individual and high-net-worth clients, focusing on pre-retirees and retirees with services including investment management, comprehensive financial planning, and retirement-related advice. The firm’s investment approach emphasizes diversified mutual fund and ETF allocations aligned with client objectives and risk tolerance, supported by additional offerings such as tax planning, bookkeeping, and estate planning through third-party providers.

Kenneth Dryfhout is a CFA® charterholder with 11 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. since 2022. Prior to that, he worked at BCU for 10 years. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a wide range of fee-based investment and financial planning services through discretionary and non-discretionary wrap programs that incorporate multiple managed strategies and investment vehicles.

Ellen Cassin is a financial advisor at Creative Planning with a Series 65 credential and four years of industry experience. She previously worked at Heinz & Associates and Dashboard Wealth Advisors before joining Creative Planning in 2021. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm employs a financial planning–led investment process focused on low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies, supported by a large advisory team and centralized investment infrastructure.

Brittany Williams is a financial advisor at Mariner with 12 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Mariner since 2019. Prior to that, she was with TIAA-CREF from 2015 to 2019. Mariner serves a diverse range of clients, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations, providing investment management, financial planning, retirement consulting, and coordinated tax services. The firm combines in-house research with third-party manager allocations and offers integrated tax, accounting, and financial wellness solutions alongside traditional portfolio management.