Jennifer Karch is a CFP® with 13 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Carter Financial Group, Inc. She previously worked at Voya Financial Advisors for five years and has been with Carter Financial Group since 2011. Outside of her advisory role, she also works as a model under the name Jennifer Yune. Carter Financial Group is a five-advisor team managing approximately $382 million for individual and institutional clients. The firm utilizes proprietary model portfolios and a combination of quantitative, technical, and statistical analysis to guide investment decisions, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary management along with financial planning services.

Kyle Bertsche is a financial advisor at Monere Wealth Management, Inc. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been in the industry since 2024. His prior experience includes roles at Carecraft Inc, Nexa Mortgage, and various academic positions. Monere Wealth Management, Inc. is a team-based advisory firm managing approximately $312 million in client assets. The firm serves individual and high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charities, and business accounts, offering financial planning, portfolio management, and pension consulting primarily through non-discretionary advisory accounts.

Thomas Parker is a financial advisor at Pendulum Wealth Partners with 12 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and is also a partner at Fates, Bodily, and Parker PLLC, a CPA firm in Itasca, Illinois. In addition to his advisory role, Parker is a licensed insurance agent involved in implementing insurance recommendations. Pendulum Wealth Partners is a team of nine advisors managing approximately $254 million across over 200 client relationships. The firm offers discretionary investment management, financial planning, and family office services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, businesses, and retirement plans, employing a primarily long-term, diversified investment approach.

Mantas Tautkus is a CFP® professional with 15 years of industry experience, currently serving at Origin Investment Advisory LLC since 2021. He previously worked at Edward Jones from 2014 to 2020 and owns MT Financial Planning, Inc., an investment advisory firm. Origin Investment Advisory primarily serves individual retail clients through a subscription model and employer-sponsored workplace programs, offering budgeting tools, access to CFP® professionals, thematic Stock Bundles, and an Automated Index Investing robo-style service. The firm’s investment approach uses Modern Portfolio Theory and behavioral finance principles, employing rules-based model portfolios and tax-aware implementation, and operates on a subscription fee structure rather than traditional AUM fees.

Edward Connolly is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with 15 years of experience in the financial industry. He has worked at IRON Financial LLC since 2006. Connolly is part of Essex LLC, a team-based registered investment adviser located in Deer Park, IL. Essex manages approximately $563 million for around 600 clients, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, employer-sponsored retirement plans, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm employs model portfolios and uses fundamental, technical, and sector analysis to guide asset selection and rebalancing, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management along with financial planning services.

Jeffrey Pearce is a CFP® with 29 years of industry experience and has been with Vermillion Financial Advisors, Inc. since 1990. He is based in South Barrington, IL, and holds the Series 63 designation. Vermillion Financial Advisors serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, business entities, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations with financial planning and investment advisory services. The firm emphasizes structured communication and education, offering both model and customized portfolio solutions primarily on a non-discretionary basis.

Shawn Kennedy is a financial advisor with Pendulum Wealth Partners in Itasca, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 25 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Pendulum Wealth Partners in 2025, he spent 22 years with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. He is also a licensed insurance agent involved in insurance sales and implementation. Pendulum Wealth Partners is a team of nine advisors managing approximately $254 million across 227 client relationships, providing discretionary investment management, financial planning, and family office services. The firm employs a fundamental, primarily long-term investment approach through diversified portfolios and operates under common control with an affiliated tax and accounting firm offering integrated services.

Andrew Adler is a financial advisor at Global Brokerage Services, Inc. in Barrington, IL, holding a Series 66 credential with 26 years of industry experience. He has been with Global Brokerage Services since 2000. Outside of advisory work, Adler is an independent insurance agent specializing in non-variable life insurance, annuities, and disability products, and he performs bookkeeping and accounting services on a limited basis. Global Brokerage Services serves individual investors, retirement accounts, employee benefit plans, and trusts through advisor-led wrap-fee programs and separately managed account/UMA offerings. The firm operates with a six-advisor team and provides non-discretionary advice, utilizing a platform that combines third-party sub-managers and model portfolios with annual account reviews.

Nanette Kastner is a financial advisor at Hendricks Wealth and Estate Management with 10 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at JG Hendricks Financial Services LLC since 2017 and Cetera Advisors LLC since 2016. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a basketball and volleyball referee. Hendricks Wealth and Estate Management advises individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities. The firm offers comprehensive portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement consulting, utilizing a range of analytical approaches to tailor portfolios according to client objectives and risk tolerances.

Ryan Vance is a CFA® charterholder with over 20 years of industry experience. He joined Pendulum Wealth Partners in 2025 after two decades at Northern Trust Investments, Inc. He is based in Itasca, IL. Pendulum Wealth Partners is a team of nine advisors managing approximately $254 million for individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm employs a fundamental, primarily long-term investment approach across diversified portfolios and offers discretionary investment management, financial planning, and family office services.

Thomas Bono is a financial advisor with Monere Wealth Management, Inc. in Schaumburg, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 48 years of industry experience. He has been with Monere Investments, Inc. since 2015. Monere Wealth Management is a team-based advisory firm managing approximately $312 million in client assets. The firm serves individual and high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charities, and business accounts, offering financial planning, portfolio management, and pension consulting with a focus on both discretionary and non-discretionary management.

Anthony Baldassano is a financial advisor with Sequoia Wealth Management, LLC, holding the PFS™ designation and Series 65 license, and has 12 years of industry experience. He has worked at Sequoia Wealth Management since 2019 and previously at Retirement Matters, Inc. and Wynstone Financial Services, Ltd. Additionally, he owns and manages Anthony & Associates, CPAs LLC, a certified public accounting firm providing tax, bookkeeping, and payroll services. Sequoia Wealth Management advises individuals, trusts, estates, corporations, and employer retirement plans, offering asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting. The firm utilizes a combination of quantitative optimization, third-party research, and manager selection to tailor portfolios, serving both discretionary and non-discretionary clients.

Valerie Hogan is a financial advisor at Clearwater Capital Partners with a Series 65 designation and one year of industry experience. She previously worked at National Christian Foundation and Orchard Ministry Development and spent a decade at Gibbs & Associates. Outside of advising, she manages several non-investment related LLCs involved in real estate oversight. Clearwater Capital Partners serves high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional clients, offering family office and private wealth management, institutional advisory, and retirement plan services. The firm employs a disciplined investment approach based on written Investment Policy Statements and offers access to alternative investments and private placements.

Jason Dhooghe is a CFP® with four years of industry experience, currently serving at Vermillion Financial Advisors, Inc. He previously worked at Wealth Enhancement Group and Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services from 2021 to 2025. Vermillion Financial Advisors provides financial planning, investment advisory, and employer-sponsored retirement plan services to individuals, trusts, business entities, and pension/profit-sharing plans. The firm offers both model and customized portfolios, non-discretionary trade approvals, and educational workshops for plan participants.

Kevin Carani is a financial advisor with Clearwater Capital Partners, holding a Series 65 credential and 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Clearwater Capital Partners since 2014. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a facility manager for Westminster Presbyterian Church in Elgin, Illinois. Clearwater Capital Partners advises high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional clients, offering services that include private wealth management, institutional advisory, and retirement plan strategies. The firm manages portfolios based on written Investment Policy Statements and employs a variety of analytical approaches, with a focus on discretionary management and access to alternative investments.

Kyle Hoskins is an advisor at American Community Wealth Management, LLC with Series 66 credentials and one year of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he has worked at Osaic Wealth, Inc. and has experience outside finance, including roles at Snuggery River Roadhouse and The University of Iowa. American Community Wealth Management provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, business owners, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm uses asset-allocation driven portfolios with a combination of advisor-managed accounts and third-party managers, and offers multiple platform choices including wrap programs that integrate trading, custody, and advisory services.

Dana Arvanites is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license with five years of industry experience. She has worked at The Dala Group, LLC since 2026 and previously spent six years at Bank of America and Merrill. Before entering financial services, she worked at Aramark and was involved with Misericordia, Heart of Mercy for six years. The Dala Group, LLC is a team of nine advisors that provides portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, and limited financial consulting to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, and business entities. The firm employs multi-disciplinary analysis and asset-allocation strategies to manage client portfolios composed of stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, and other securities, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary services.

Brett Dimas is a CFP® professional at Activ8 Family Office LLC with 18 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Raymond James & Associates and Octagon Financial Services, Inc. Dimas operates a separate accounting services business from his home. Activ8 Family Office serves primarily professional athletes and their related families and entities, providing a comprehensive client management program that includes financial planning, investment management, and tax services tailored to individual objectives.

John Sleeting is a financial advisor at Clearwater Capital Partners with 17 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Clearwater Capital Partners since 2009 in various roles. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a board member of Cox Family Holdings, LLC and manages 1435 Partners, LLC, a consulting company. Clearwater Capital Partners advises high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional clients, offering services including family office management, private wealth management, and retirement plan advisory. The firm employs a disciplined investment approach based on written Investment Policy Statements and utilizes fundamental, technical, quantitative, and thematic analysis to manage discretionary accounts.

Steven Quirini is a financial advisor at Monere Wealth Management, Inc. with 16 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Noyes Advisors LLC and David A. Noyes and Company. Monere Wealth Management is a team-based advisory firm serving individual and high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charities, and business accounts. The firm offers financial planning and portfolio management through discretionary and non-discretionary advisory accounts, employing third-party managers and quantitative tools in its portfolio construction.