James Hamman is a financial advisor with William Blair, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He has been with William Blair & Company L.L.C. since 1997. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division offers investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension plans, and corporate clients. The firm emphasizes active, research-driven management across multiple asset classes and provides proprietary models and access to private funds through its MB Investments Program.

Tessa Fornek is a financial advisor at PNC Wealth Management with seven years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Regions Bank, Cetera Investment Services, and First Command Financial Planning. Outside of finance, she was involved in managing a coffee shop business for two years. PNC Wealth Management offers retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including a discretionary online investment platform currently available as an employee-only pilot. The firm uses algorithm-driven model selection and relies on third-party strategists and delegates for portfolio implementation.

Thomas Herzing is a CFP® professional with 26 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. He has been with Mercer since 2015. Mercer Global Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth families, small business owners, corporate plan sponsors, foundations, and nonprofit organizations. The firm’s investment approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory and emphasizes globally diversified, risk-appropriate portfolios using low-cost index vehicles and multi-factor tilts, supported by various implementation options and a range of affiliated service lines.

Jennifer Heid is a financial advisor at First Command Advisory Services with 16 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been with First Command in various capacities since 2010. First Command Advisory Services is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, corporate, and charitable clients, with a focus on active-duty service members and their families. The firm offers financial planning and multiple wrap-fee asset management programs, delivering investment management through a centralized team that selects and manages model portfolios and third-party managers.

Benjamin Teichman is a financial advisor with Guardian Life and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has 22 years of industry experience and has worked extensively with both Guardian Life Insurance Company and Park Avenue Securities. He also engages in selling insurance products outside of Guardian on a limited basis. Park Avenue Securities LLC, a subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, provides brokerage and investment advisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a blend of advisor-led discretionary management and model-based strategies, supported by proprietary programs and third-party platforms.

Nicholas Costa is a CFP® professional with two years of industry experience. He is currently affiliated with Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC and previously worked at Vermillion Financial Advisors. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services provides financial planning, asset management, retirement-plan consulting, and referrals to managed account investment managers for individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm manages over $122 billion in assets and utilizes a diversified investment process combining passive and active managers with quantitative, momentum, and fundamental analysis.

Ann Marie Cudzilo is a financial advisor with First Command Advisory Services, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 23 years of industry experience. Her career includes roles at Transamerica Capital, Inc., Diversified Investors Securities Corp., and First Command Financial Planning. First Command Advisory Services, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, corporate, and charitable clients, with a focus on active-duty service members and their families. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning and various wrap-fee asset management programs that utilize model portfolios and third-party managers selected by an internal Investment Management Team.

Aurelio Reyes is a financial advisor with Fifth Third Securities, Inc. based in Woodridge, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 16 years of industry experience. His prior work includes positions at J.P. Morgan Securities and Merrill. Outside of his advisory role, he works as a local DoorDash driver. 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 offers multiple discretionary managed-account options and features such as direct indexing and tax-overlay services, operating as a subsidiary of Fifth Third Bank with a municipal-advisor registration.

Marzena Lukasiewicz is a financial advisor at Brookstone Capital Management LLC with three years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and has worked previously at Financial Wealth Alliance, MasterCall, and World Discount Telecommunications. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved in insurance sales. Brookstone Capital Management is an SEC-registered adviser that provides fee-based asset management and financial planning through a turnkey asset management platform and wrap-fee program. The firm serves a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, charitable organizations, other registered investment advisers, sovereign wealth funds, and banking institutions.

Srikanth Kamasamudram is a financial advisor at Transamerica Financial Advisors with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has been with Transamerica and affiliated firms since 2026. Outside of advisory work, he has been involved with KAS Tech Solutions, Inc. since 2005. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a broad client base, including individual investors, pension plans, trusts, and corporations. The firm offers both advisory and broker-dealer services through proprietary and third-party model portfolios, with discretionary and non-discretionary program options.

Bradley Buening is a financial advisor at First Command Advisory Services with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and three years of industry experience. He served in the United States Air Force from 2001 to 2023 before transitioning to roles within First Command, including insurance, advisory, and brokerage services. First Command Advisory Services is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, corporate, and charitable clients, with a focus on active-duty service members and their families. The firm offers financial planning and multiple wrap-fee asset management programs, utilizing centralized portfolio management and prescreened third-party managers within an employee-owned structure.

Daniel Hedge is a CFP® with 10 years of industry experience, currently advising at Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. since 2023. Prior to this, he spent seven years at Wells Fargo Clearing. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as chair and board member of the St. Charles and Elgin Chambers of Commerce and occasionally delivers sermons as a guest speaker at Village Bible Church. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an integrated broker-dealer and registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients through over 500 advisors. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, investment management, brokerage services, and insurance products, combining proprietary strategies with third-party models and operating an internal equity and fixed-income trading desk.

Archie Bragg Jr. is a financial advisor with VOYA Financial Advisors, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and totaling 27 years of industry experience. He has been with VOYA Financial Advisors since 2014. Outside of his advisory role, he operates as an independent insurance agent specializing in fixed insurance products. VOYA Financial Advisors, Inc. is a large enterprise-scale advisory and broker-dealer firm serving individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm combines model portfolios, in-house and external strategists, and technology-driven tools to deliver financial planning and portfolio management services through a network of investment adviser representatives.

Curtis Wilcox is a financial advisor with Lincoln Investment in Lombard, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and totaling 15 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Lincoln Investment in 2026, he was with VALIC Financial Advisors for 16 years. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved in MCW Development, LLC, a real estate company he co-owns that develops small real estate projects. Lincoln Investment Planning, LLC is a large enterprise advisory and broker-dealer serving a broad client base including individuals, high-net-worth investors, trusts, charities, and retirement plans. The firm offers financial planning, portfolio management using proprietary models and third-party managers, and advisory services often led by advisors using Lincoln’s platform and Investment Management & Research team.

Brian Ellerman is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services in Downers Grove, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 33 years of industry experience. He has been with Principal Securities and Principal Life Insurance Co since 2015. Ellerman serves on the board of the Kenilworth Community Fund, a nonprofit that raises donations for local community organizations. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party money manager programs under both adviser and promoter arrangements.

Benjamin Welch is a financial advisor with Lincoln Investment in Lombard, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 19 years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at LPL Financial, J. McGovern and Associates, Lincoln Investment Planning, and Merrill. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a Boys U5 Division Coordinator and board member for AYSO 300, a youth soccer organization. Lincoln Investment Planning, LLC is a large enterprise advisory and broker-dealer serving a broad client base, including individuals, high-net-worth investors, trusts, charities, and retirement plans. The firm combines advisor-led consulting with model portfolios developed by an in-house investment management team and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary services across various platforms.

Dane Sauer is a CFP® with 10 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. in Schaumburg, IL. He has been with Mercer since 2016 in various roles. Mercer Global Advisors provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, families, small business owners, plan sponsors, and non-profits. The firm employs a globally diversified, risk-appropriate investment approach using low-cost ETFs, index funds, and other strategies, and offers a broad range of specialized services including retirement plan consulting and family office solutions.

Julie Bucaro is a CFP®-credentialed financial advisor with 14 years of industry experience. She is currently with Corient, where she has worked since 2022, following a 13-year tenure at Balasa Dinverno Foltz LLC. Corient provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension plans, and corporate entities. The firm employs a goals-based, team investment approach that integrates in-house strategies with third-party managers and utilizes risk management tools and alternative investments as appropriate.

Jorge Seda Rivera is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services, holding a CFP® designation and 26 years of industry experience. He has worked at Principal Securities Inc and Principal Life Insurance Company since 2020, following prior roles at The Huntington Investment Company and PNC Investments. Outside of financial advising, he manages behavioral health practice management businesses, providing administrative and consulting support. Principal Securities offers brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm’s advisory services emphasize direct advisory programs, financial planning, and access to third-party money manager solutions, with investment implementation generally carried out on a discretionary basis by these managers.

Daniyal Ahmed is a CFP® professional with nine years of industry experience. He is currently with Cetera Planning Partners and has previously worked at firms including Avantax Planning Partners, Avantax Insurance Services, and Honkamp Krueger Financial Services. His background includes roles in financial planning and client advisory services. Cetera Planning Partners serves individual and high-net-worth clients, particularly pre-retirees and retirees, offering investment management, comprehensive financial planning, Social Security optimization, and retirement-related advice. The firm provides a diversified investment approach using mutual funds and ETFs aligned with client objectives and risk tolerance, supported by a range of ancillary services such as tax planning, bookkeeping, payroll support, and estate-planning solutions.