Erick De La Cruz is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Barrington, IL, holding a Series 66 designation. He began his career at Morgan Stanley in 2025. Prior to this role, his work experience includes positions at Coro Enterprises LLC The Red Lion, Exmoor Country Club, and Target Corporation. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered adviser and broker-dealer that provides a range of advisory programs to individual and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored financial planning supported by structured discovery processes and firm-approved tools, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Melanie Sheedy is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 25 years of industry experience, currently with J.P. Morgan Securities. She has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and also has a long tenure at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. from 2001 to the present. Her prior experience includes managing The Sheedy Family Living Trust. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting through a select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm combines institutional advisory services with brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities.

Svitlana Sheppard is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She has been active in the financial services industry since 2003, beginning her career with Merrill in 2010. Svitlana works closely with high-net-worth clients as part of The Sheppard Group, contributing to the delivery of a broad range of wealth management services and strategies. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance with a minor in Economics from Northeastern Illinois University, graduating summa cum laude. Svitlana also possesses several professional designations, including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Originally from Ukraine, Svitlana is fluent in Ukrainian, Russian, and English. She engages with the community through involvement with Better Money Habits in partnership with Khan Academy and the Chicago Public Library Foundation Associate Council. Outside of work, she resides in Chicago with her husband and enjoys biking, cooking, hiking, running, skiing, traveling, and yoga.

Andrew Beierwaltes is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Arlington Heights, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 45 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors since 1999, including time when the firm operated as Axa Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a deacon at St. John Brebeuf Parish and is involved in local church leadership and fundraising activities. Equitable Advisors provides financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset management services to individuals, plans, corporations, and institutions, utilizing a range of advisory programs and third-party asset managers.

Brian Magura is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Schaumburg, IL, holding CFP® and ChFC® designations and 23 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2002. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, and operates under a fiduciary standard.

Brandon Nguyen is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Fidelity Investments, M1 Finance, and Merrill Edge/Bank of America. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applying an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations.

Zachary Harveth is a financial advisor with Stifel, holding a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. He has worked at Stifel Nicolaus & Co Inc since 2019 and previously held roles at Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. from 2014 to 2019. Stifel serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutional clients, charitable organizations, and municipal entities, offering brokerage and investment advisory services supported by proprietary investment methodology developed by its Investment Strategy Group.

Casey Torrey is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Round Lake, IL, holding the ChFC® and Series 66 designations with 14 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2014. Outside of his advisory role, Torrey is the owner and singer of a local band called Acousticats. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, with a nationwide network of advisors and branch offices, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management.

Brian Schnell is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Barrington, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 10 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Northern Trust Bank, Bank of America, Merrill, and Morgan Stanley Private Bank. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and tailored financial planning supported by structured discovery processes and firm-approved tools. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and provides planning services alongside broader investment and brokerage capabilities.

Dennis Gorman is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 23 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked at LPL Financial since 2018. Prior to that, he was with Cetera Advisor Networks for five years and has operated Gorman & Associates since 1990. He is involved with the CPA Affiliate Program through Gorman & Associates. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment programs, including model portfolios and third-party asset management, supported by advanced operational tools and a broad platform of non-advisory financial services.

Sean Snowden is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 10 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Securities America Advisors, Inc. for seven years and operates W&D Consulting LLC, an independent consulting business he has managed since 1999. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, and institutions. The firm provides a broad range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning and model portfolio programs, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Roger Smith is a CFP® professional with 25 years of industry experience, currently serving at Edward Jones since 2000. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs, investment options, and fiduciary services supported by a nationwide network of over 23,000 financial advisors.

Peter Van Houten is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 40 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at LPL Financial since 2017, with prior experience at Merrill and other firms. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services through a large network of representatives to individuals, retirement plans, banks, and institutions. The firm offers a range of investment solutions including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Morgan Hensel is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Ameriprise with three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Ameriprise, Hensel held various roles including positions at Bethel University and multiple leadership development centers. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering specialized retirement income planning focused on dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies. The firm’s retirement income service uses a centralized team to deliver customized Recommendation Reports supported by proprietary research and third-party data.

Kelly Karecki is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. She has been with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2016. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a variety of advisory programs including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes structured planning tools and scenario modeling as part of its financial planning process.

Timothy Matta is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Edward Jones with one year of industry experience. He previously worked for SRI Systems Research Inc for 19 years. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Kenneth Molnar is a financial advisor at Fidelity with 31 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at firms including Southwest Securities and Invex, LLC. He has also held a role at Communitech Outposts. Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company, provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including registered investment companies and an IRS-qualified Charitable Gift Fund. The firm uses a combination of proprietary fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to deliver systematic model portfolios and manages sub-advisers while maintaining oversight and conflict-of-interest controls.

Robert Dion is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Crystal Lake, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and with 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley since 2009, including roles at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutional clients with a broad range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured planning process supported by firm-approved tools and analytics.

Alex Rojas is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, bringing over 25 years of capital market experience to his current role. He assists clients in aligning their financial decisions with their individual goals and priorities through disciplined long-term strategies tailored to their needs. Alex focuses on retirement, education, and legacy planning, helping clients make informed and confident financial decisions. Prior to joining Fidelity Investments in 2026, Alex worked as a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch from 2019 to 2026. His background includes extensive experience in capital markets and financial advisory services, supporting clients across various financial planning needs. Outside of his professional work, Alex has interests in hiking, skiing, tennis, traveling, and exploring food.

Sean Borchers is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Cary, IL, with five years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 designations. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2025, he worked at JP Morgan Chase and its affiliates for over a decade. Outside of his advisory work, he manages a music band called Wings of Severance, performing in the Chicagoland and Milwaukee areas. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a nationwide network of thousands of advisors. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.