Alexander Mueller is a financial advisor with PNC Wealth Management in Libertyville, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. Prior to joining PNC in 2021, he worked at Wells Fargo Clearing from 2018 to 2021 and was involved in fitness-related businesses from 2013 to 2018. PNC Wealth Management provides retail brokerage and advisory services through model-based programs, including a digital discretionary model account offered by invitation to employees. The program uses algorithm-driven risk assessments to select approved mutual fund and ETF strategies managed by PNC or third parties, with portfolio implementation and proxy voting delegated to external providers.

Donald Cafero Sr. is a ChFC® credentialed financial advisor with 42 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with TLG Advisors, Inc. He has worked at several firms including The Leaders Group Inc and Highland Capital Brokerage. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in insurance brokerage through The Cafero Group and works as a point of sale and wholesale specialist with FSG. TLG Advisors, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $2.0 billion in discretionary client assets. The firm serves individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and institutional investors, offering services such as portfolio management, comprehensive financial and estate planning, and ERISA fiduciary services. Their investment approach combines fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory, with a direct-to-consumer program called Starlight Portfolios that tailors portfolios based on client risk profiles.

Stephanie Goins is a CFP® professional with seven years of industry experience. She is currently with Creative Planning and previously held roles at Principal Advised Services, Principal Securities, Principal Life Insurance Company, Edward Jones, and HSBC. Creative Planning is an enterprise firm managing approximately $217 billion in client assets, serving 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, supplemented by additional equity and tax-efficient trading options, and offers integrated retirement plan services alongside affiliated legal, trust, and recordkeeping businesses.

Dennis Anderson is a CFP® professional with 34 years of experience in the financial industry. He has worked at Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. since 2013, following prior roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. In addition to his financial advisory work, he owns and operates a grain and livestock farm in Viola, Illinois. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an integrated broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a wide range of clients, offering services including financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan consulting through a team of more than 500 advisors.

Rod Russell is a financial advisor at Farther with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has previously worked at BNY Mellon and J.P. Morgan. Outside of his advisory role, he coordinates property development activities for Lake Roots Holdings, LLC. Farther provides discretionary investment management and advisory services primarily to individual investors, trusts, and estates through a web and mobile platform supplemented by in-person meetings. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory-based approach using proprietary model portfolios, algorithmic rebalancing, and a range of investment vehicles including ETFs, mutual funds, and individual equities.

Pranav Singh is a financial advisor with FIFTH THIRD SECURITIES, Inc. in Crystal Lake, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 17 years of industry experience. He previously worked at J.P. Morgan Securities and Jpmorgan Chase Bank NA for over a decade before joining Fifth Third in 2022. FIFTH THIRD SECURITIES, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions through investment advisory and brokerage services. The firm offers multiple program types and third-party portfolio management via its Passageway Managed Account Platform and operates as a broker-dealer, SEC-registered investment adviser, and municipal advisor.

Michelle Wang is a financial advisor at Transamerica Financial Advisors with Series 63 and Series 66 credentials. She joined the firm in 2026 and has prior work experience at Accenture from 2004 to 2025. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a broad client base, including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and corporations, offering both advisory and broker-dealer services through proprietary and third-party model portfolios. The firm operates as both a registered broker-dealer and a registered investment adviser, with a range of program choices and affiliated retirement entities supporting plan clients.

Donald Baran is a financial advisor with TLG Advisors, Inc. holding a Series 66 license and five years of industry experience. His professional background includes roles at The Leaders Group Inc., FSG, Pizza Hut, Edward Jones, Weiman Products, and EMCO Chemical Distributors. He also works as an insurance wholesaler for fixed insurance products directly with financial advisors through FSG. TLG Advisors, Inc. serves a wide range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, charitable organizations, corporations, pension and retirement plans, and other institutional investors. The firm focuses on manager selection and ongoing portfolio monitoring using fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory, offering services through independent representatives, sub-advisors, and a direct-to-consumer digital program called Starlight Portfolios.

Eric Eimen is a financial advisor at William Blair with five years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials. Prior to joining William Blair in 2022, he worked at BMO Private Bank from 2011 to 2022. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division offers investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension, and corporate clients. The firm employs an active, research-driven approach across multiple asset classes and provides clients access to proprietary models, third-party sub-managers, and private investment opportunities.

Quinn Schneider is a financial advisor at Beacon Pointe Advisors, LLC with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 credential and has previously worked at Altavista Wealth Management Inc. and Mission Health. Beacon Pointe Advisors provides wealth advisory, financial planning, retirement-plan platform services, and outsourced chief investment officer services to individuals, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm combines asset-allocation modeling with third-party independent managers and employs both active and passive investment strategies across public and private asset classes.

Dominic Defazio is a CFP® with 20 years of industry experience, currently serving at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. since 2011. He is also the owner of Aqua Body Floats, a business focused on designing upholstery for recreational activities. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. provides brokerage and investment advisory services through its Passageway Managed Account Program to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate and business clients, and institutional investors. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account programs with features such as direct indexing and tax-overlay services, distinguishing itself through its municipal-advisor registration and affiliation with Fifth Third Bank.

David Reilly is a Series 66-credentialed advisor with 22 years of experience, currently with Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. since 2013. His prior experience includes roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an integrated broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional entities. The firm offers a range of services such as wrap-fee advisory programs, financial planning, and investment management consulting, utilizing both proprietary and third-party strategies.

Jennifer Merida is a financial advisor at Empower Advisory Group with 17 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at firms including 818 Capital Group, Money Concepts Capital Corp., ADP, and BMO Harris Financial Advisors. Outside of her advisory role, she is a 2% owner and performs back-office work for Kaidence Chiropractic & Wellness, a business owned by her husband. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management services primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage clients. The firm integrates its services with Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms, focusing on long-term portfolio returns and participant savings rates.

Joanna Geier is a CFP® with two years of industry experience, currently working at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. She previously spent nine years at Jackson Financial Management. Outside of her advisory role, she consults on physical therapy data entry for Tomson Rehab. Mercer Global Advisors serves individuals, families, small business owners, foundations, and non-profits, offering a range of advisory services including investment management, financial, tax, retirement, and estate planning. The firm uses a globally diversified, risk-appropriate investment approach grounded in Modern Portfolio Theory and implements portfolios through a mix of low-cost ETFs, index funds, separate account managers, and private funds.

James Wormley is a financial advisor with Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc., holding a Series 66 designation and over 22 years of industry experience. He has worked at Benjamin F. Edwards since 2013, following prior roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an integrated broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients through more than 500 advisors. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including discretionary and non-discretionary managed solutions that utilize proprietary strategies and third-party models.

Megan Anderson is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor at Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. with three years of industry experience. She previously worked at Golden Technology and Randstad Technologies. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an integrated broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, and various institutional clients through over 500 advisors. The firm offers a range of services including financial planning, retirement plan consulting, investment management, brokerage services, and M&A advisory, utilizing both proprietary and third-party strategies.

Mariusz Niedbalec is a financial advisor at William Blair with 26 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been with William Blair & Company since 2005. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division offers investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension, and corporate clients. The firm employs an active, research-driven approach across multiple asset classes, providing proprietary models and access to private funds and co-investment opportunities.

Sarah Tobolski is a CFA® charterholder with eight years of industry experience. She has worked at William Blair since 2017 and previously spent three years at DiMeo Schneider. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension plans, and corporate clients. The firm applies active, research-driven management across multiple asset classes and provides proprietary models and access to private funds and co-investment opportunities.

Sandra Nies is a financial advisor at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. with eight years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Her prior roles include positions at Huntington National Bank, Park Avenue Investment Advisory, River Street Advisors, Old Second National Bank, and BMO Harris Financial Advisors. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional entities through investment advisory and brokerage services. The firm offers various managed account programs on the Passageway platform, utilizing multiple third-party portfolio managers and strategies such as SMA, tax-overlay, and direct indexing.

John Rousos is a financial advisor at TLG Advisors, Inc. with 41 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including Highland Capital Brokerage and Investacorp Advisory Services. He is also involved in wholesaling and insurance-related activities through FSG. TLG Advisors, Inc. manages approximately $2.0 billion in discretionary client assets and serves individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and institutional investors. The firm offers investment supervisory and portfolio management, comprehensive financial and estate planning, ERISA fiduciary services, and a direct-to-consumer program called Starlight Portfolios.