Nicholas Liapunov is a financial advisor with Guardian Life and Park Avenue Securities, holding a Series 63 designation and over 30 years of industry experience. He has worked at Park Avenue Securities and Guardian Life Insurance Company since 1999. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with Entourage Sports Management, supporting PGA and LPGA players with endorsement opportunities. Park Avenue Securities, a subsidiary of Guardian Life, provides brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers a range of financial planning, advisory, and consulting solutions supported by proprietary and third-party platforms.

Philip Sabio is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with 15 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 registrations and has worked at several firms, including MassMutual, Equitable Advisors, and Cetera. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management services primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and participants, as well as to Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage account holders. The firm offers integrated services aligned with Empower’s recordkeeping platforms and emphasizes long-term portfolio returns through point-in-time financial plans and optional managed account solutions.

Dowens Nicolas is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with a Series 66 designation and less than one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Manhattan University and Varonis Systems. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, along with certain IRA and retail brokerage clients. The firm emphasizes long-term portfolio returns and annual rebalancing through a financial planning service integrated with Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms.

Robert Giuffrida is a financial advisor with TD Private Client Wealth LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and having 19 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions with Charles Schwab Bank SSB, Charles Schwab and Co., Inc., and TDAmeritrade Inc. Outside of his financial advisory work, Giuffrida serves in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, where he supports boating safety, veterans, local charities, vessel safety checks, and environmental conservation. TD Private Client Wealth LLC provides discretionary wrap-fee managed account programs and brokerage services to institutional and high-net-worth private clients. The firm uses a combination of strategic and tactical asset allocation with affiliated and third-party investment managers, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and custody services through a technology platform.

Christopher Ciani is a financial advisor with Guardian Life and holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. He has 20 years of industry experience and has worked with Park Avenue Securities and Guardian Life Insurance since 2011. He also has a part-time role selling fixed insurance products through Crump Life Insurance. Park Avenue Securities LLC, a subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, offers brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm provides tailored client solutions through a combination of advisor-led discretionary management, model-based strategies, and access to insurance products and alternative investments.

Robert Baker is a financial advisor with Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 30 years of industry experience. He has held roles at firms including Raymond James Financial Services, Wells Fargo Clearing, and UBS Financial Services. Baker is also the owner of a support company, Baker - Sarama Wealth Managers. Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC is an SEC-registered enterprise-scale RIA managing approximately $36.7 billion in regulatory assets. The firm serves individuals, pension plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations, offering investment advisory, financial planning, pension consulting, and managed account programs through a variety of portfolio management solutions and third-party money managers.

Richard Sherwin is a financial advisor with Guardian Life and Park Avenue Securities, holding Series 66 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 24 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Pruco Securities LLC and Bloomberg Tradebook LLC. He serves as a board member and Youth Lacrosse Commissioner for Eastchester Blue Devils of NY, Inc. Park Avenue Securities LLC, a subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, provides brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers a combination of advisor-led discretionary management and model-based strategies through proprietary and third-party platforms.

Theresa Castro is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has three years of industry experience. Her career includes roles at NYLIFE Securities LLC and New York Life since 2023, along with prior experience in sports and camp management. She leads a local networking group, Horseneck Networking Group, engaging with community members outside of her advisory work. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plans, and institutional clients, providing financial planning, investment management, and advisory services. The firm offers multiple program types and emphasizes tailored recommendations, predominantly managing assets on a non-discretionary basis within an integrated New York Life affiliate structure.

Maria Licini is a financial advisor with Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 10 years of industry experience. She has worked at Steward Partners-affiliated firms since 2017 and previously at Raymond James Financial Services and Wells Fargo Clearing. Licini also holds a role involving administrative and operational support at Baker Sarama Wealth Management Group and serves as a personal representative on a family IRA account. Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC is a national SEC-registered enterprise-scale RIA managing approximately $36.7 billion in assets. The firm serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations, offering a range of investment advisory and financial planning services through both proprietary and third-party portfolio management solutions.

Simi Schwartz is a CFP® with 17 years of experience in the financial services industry. She is currently with Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC and has previously worked at Raymond James Financial Services, Bank of America, and Merrill. She is a partner and advisor at Steward Partners Global Advisory, LLC. Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC is an SEC-registered enterprise-scale RIA managing approximately $36.7 billion in assets. The firm serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as institutions, providing a range of advisory and portfolio management services through both proprietary and third-party solutions.

Russell Meccia is a financial advisor with Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Bank and Raymond James Financial Services. Meccia is based in Ramsey, NJ. Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC is an enterprise-scale SEC-registered RIA managing approximately $36.7 billion in regulatory assets. The firm serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension plans, corporations, trusts, and charitable organizations, offering comprehensive investment advisory and financial planning services through various portfolio management programs and third-party manager selection.

Min Chul Kim is a financial advisor at Eagle Strategies (NY Life) with four years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses. Prior to joining Eagle Strategies, he worked with New York Life and its affiliated entities, as well as at Cosmos Boutique LTD and Cosmos Queens LTD. Eagle Strategies serves a diverse client base including individual investors, institutional clients, and retirement plans, offering financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm emphasizes tailored recommendations and manages a large portion of assets on a non-discretionary basis within an integrated New York Life affiliate structure.

Scott Lopresti is a financial advisor at Kestra Advisory with 19 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has previously worked at Lincoln Financial Advisors, LPL Financial, and Ameritas Life Insurance among other firms. Lopresti is also the president and owner of Lodi Wealth Advisors, an insurance business, and serves as Chief Administrative Officer of Rectangle Health, a healthcare technology company. Kestra Advisory Services provides investment advisory and retirement plan consulting to institutional and individual clients, offering services such as fiduciary consulting, plan-level investment advice, and employee education. The firm serves a range of clients including large institutional investors and sovereign wealth funds, supporting multiple management platforms and third-party solutions.

Gail Simons is a CFP® professional with 35 years of experience in the financial services industry. She has been with Commonwealth Financial Network and Highbridge Financial Group, Inc. since 2003. Outside of her advisory roles, she is vice president and 50% owner of GMS Associates, Inc., a property tax consulting firm unrelated to investments. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their clients. The firm offers a variety of advisory programs and support services, including discretionary model portfolios and personalized indexing options, while providing operational and compliance support to affiliated advisors.

John Geraghty is a financial advisor with Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and with 21 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Rochdale Investment Management for 18 years before joining Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services and Wealth Enhancement Group in 2023. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services provides financial planning, asset management, retirement-plan consulting, and referrals to separate managed account investment managers for individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm manages over $122 billion in assets and employs a diversified, risk-class based investment approach combining passive and active management overseen by an internal Investment Committee.

Anthony Destefano is a financial advisor at Hightower Advisors with 24 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Hightower Advisors since 2023, following roles at Hightower Altium Holding LLC and Altium Wealth Management LLC. He is also the managing member of Altium Planning, LLC, which provides insurance services. Hightower Advisors offers investment advisory and planning services to a diverse range of individual and institutional clients, utilizing a multi-manager approach that includes affiliated and third-party managers. The firm provides discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement consulting, with capabilities spanning mutual funds, ETFs, alternative investments, and custom indexing.

Leopoldo Matarazzo is a financial advisor with Guardian Life in Paramus, NJ, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 11 years of industry experience. He has worked with Park Avenue Securities and Guardian Life since 2016. Outside of his advisory role, Matarazzo operates a law office focused on basic estate planning and consults on estate and business succession plans. Park Avenue Securities LLC, a subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, serves individuals, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, offering a blend of advisor-led discretionary management, model-based strategies, and access to proprietary and third-party advisory solutions.

Anand Thakkar is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in helping busy professionals, business owners, and families develop coordinated, tax-aware financial strategies that align with their personal and long-term goals. Anand works closely with clients through personalized wealth management approaches, including college education planning, retirement income design, estate and legacy planning, tax minimization, and managing new wealth. With expertise in equity compensation strategies, concentrated positions, insurance and risk management, and philanthropic planning, Anand supports clients facing major financial events such as business sales, IPOs, and wealth transfers. He combines Merrill Lynch's investment insights with the banking and lending solutions of Bank of America to deliver comprehensive financial planning. Anand holds the Personal Investment Advisor designation and has completed executive education at Harvard Business School, in addition to earning a Bachelor's degree from Wayne State University. Anand is also committed to community involvement, volunteering with local organizations. Outside of work, he enjoys basketball, tennis, music, and reading. His approach emphasizes building one-on-one relationships to provide tailored, actionable financial strategies designed to help clients achieve their financial objectives.

Kenneth Harper is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (New York Life), holding a Series 66 credential and 23 years of industry experience. He has previously worked at LPL Financial, Invest Financial Corp., and Booth Financial Associates. Harper serves as a board member and bookkeeper for the Newtown Rotary Club Foundation. Eagle Strategies provides financial planning, investment management, and retirement-plan advisory services to a diverse range of individual and institutional clients. The firm offers multiple program types and emphasizes tailored recommendations, with the majority of its assets under management held on a non-discretionary basis.

John Orlikowski is a financial advisor with TD Private Client Wealth LLC in Ramsey, NJ, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and seven years of industry experience. His prior firms include TD Bank N.A., Bank of America, Merrill, Morgan Stanley, E*TRADE Securities, Equitable Advisors, and AXA Advisors. TD Private Client Wealth LLC offers discretionary wrap-fee managed account programs and brokerage services to institutional clients, high-net-worth private clients, and retail customers. The firm employs a blend of strategic and tactical asset allocation utilizing both affiliated and third-party sub-managers, with custody and reporting supported by third-party custodians.