Vincent Allegra is a financial advisor with Creative Planning, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 22 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Creative Planning in 2023, he worked for Mesirow Financial, Inc. for 19 years. Outside of his advisory role, Allegra serves on the boards of Choose DuPage and Hinsdale Swim Club, contributing to community development and local recreational activities. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm employs a financial planning-led investment process emphasizing low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies, supported by a broad range of supplemental portfolio management techniques and integrated retirement plan services.

Victoria Shadaia is a financial advisor at Beacon Pointe Advisors, LLC with the ChFC® designation and Series 63 license. She has two years of industry experience, including prior roles at Midwest Financial Advisors Group and Michigan State University. Beacon Pointe Advisors provides investment advisory and consulting services to a diverse client base, including individual and institutional investors such as charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm employs a manager-driven investment approach using proprietary due diligence, asset-allocation modeling, and third-party platforms to implement client strategies.

Maria Elena Danakou is a financial advisor with Goldman Sachs Wealth Services, holding a Series 66 credential and two years of industry experience. She has worked at Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC since 2021 and has prior experience with Meraki East, Puma Group, Manulife John Hancock, and London & Capital Group. Goldman Sachs Wealth Services provides financial planning and portfolio management to a diverse client base, including individual investors, executives, plan sponsors, and institutional clients. The firm integrates customized investment strategies with a wide range of services and leverages capabilities across the broader Goldman Sachs organization.

Phillip Porpora is a financial advisor with Sanctuary Advisors, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 20 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Merrill from 2006 to 2021 before joining Sanctuary Wealth in 2021. Outside of advisory services, he is a member owner of Porpora Consulting LLC, where he recruits and onboards advisors to the Sanctuary Wealth platform. Sanctuary Advisors, LLC provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, pension plans, and charitable organizations. The firm supports over 400 independent investment adviser representatives who utilize various portfolio management approaches and strategies under firm supervision.

Anthony Scott is a financial advisor with Citigroup Global Markets, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Citigroup Global Markets since 2008. Citigroup Global Markets serves individual and institutional clients across various wealth segments, offering a wide range of advisory programs and execution services. The firm combines large institutional scale with specialized market roles, including in-house research and derivative services, providing multi-asset, multi-manager strategies implemented through discretionary and non-discretionary programs.

Charles Lawless is a financial advisor at Creative Planning with 28 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Mesirow Financial for 27 years before joining Creative Planning in 2023. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in developing a patent for personal finance record keeping, serves on the advisory board of Empower Retirement, and is an author of self-help and family history books. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm employs a financial planning–led investment approach focused on low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies, supplemented by tax-loss harvesting and other active portfolio management techniques, supported by a large advisory team and integrated investment infrastructure.

Paul Niemiec is a financial advisor with Lincoln Investment in Lombard, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and four years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Valic Financial Advisors, Bank of America, Merrill, and Equitable Advisors. Outside of financial services, he works as an assistant coordinator for Sarah Kathleen Events, a special events company. Lincoln Investment serves individuals, charitable organizations, businesses, and employer-sponsored retirement plans, with a focus on educators and 403(b)/457(b) participants. The firm offers financial planning, retirement plan advice, and managed portfolio programs, utilizing a mix of in-house and third-party strategies overseen by an Investment Management & Research team.

Allen Berg is a CFP® professional with 11 years of industry experience. He currently works at Clearstead Advisory Solutions and has held prior roles at Waveland Family Office, Kovitz Investment Group Partners, Weiss & Company LLP, and North Star Investment Management Corp. He serves as Treasurer and Adviser to the Juliana Greenfield Family Foundation, a nonprofit focused on charitable medical research. Clearstead serves affluent private clients and institutional clients, providing investment management, financial planning, tax planning, family office administration, and institutional consulting services. The firm manages approximately $33.9 billion in assets and applies institutional disciplines through a combination of mutual funds, ETFs, separately managed accounts, alternative investments, and a proprietary Direct Indexing strategy.

Jonathan Chung is a financial advisor at Fifth Third Securities, Inc. with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at J.P. Morgan Securities, Merrill, and Bank of America. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as an Assistant Pastor at Highland Presbyterian Church. Fifth Third Securities, Inc. serves individual and institutional clients through both investment advisory and brokerage channels. The firm offers a variety of investment programs via the Passageway Managed Account Platform and supports clients with multiple portfolio management options, including mutual fund and ETF models, SMA strategies, and direct indexing.

Robert Duwa is a CFA® charterholder with 28 years of industry experience. He has been with William Blair & Co LLC since 2010. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division provides investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension, and corporate clients. The firm emphasizes active, research-driven management across multiple asset classes and offers proprietary model portfolios along with access to private funds and co-investment opportunities.

Michael Greenen is a CFP® and PFS™ with 25 years of experience in the financial industry. He is currently with Cerity Partners LLC and previously worked at Edge Financial Advisors, Lantern Wealth Guardians, and operated his own CPA practice. He is the owner of Michael J. Greenen CPA PC, dedicating part of his time to this business during trading hours. Cerity Partners provides customized wealth management and related services to a broad national client base, including individuals, families, trusts, business entities, and institutional investors. The firm employs tailored asset-allocation and manager selection processes, incorporating proprietary quantitative screens and a range of investment options, including private-market offerings and affiliated pension, insurance, and venture services.

Joel Hochman is a CFP® with 42 years of industry experience and is currently with MAI Capital Management, LLC, where he has worked since 2021. He previously held roles at Hochman Cole Investment Advisors, Inc. and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. Outside of his advisory work, he also engages in independent consulting through the Gerson Lehrman Group and receives referral commissions related to a prior health insurance business. MAI Capital Management provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and family-office services to a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals, families, sports professionals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of portfolio strategies and integrates financial planning, tax, and bill-pay services, managing $72.3 billion in assets as of May 2026.

James Davis is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network in Skokie, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 28 years of industry experience. He previously worked at LPL Financial, LLC for 13 years before joining Commonwealth in 2025. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as an assistant basketball coach at Christian Heritage Academy. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser that supports a national network of advisors and their clients by providing a range of advisory programs and operational services. The firm offers discretionary model portfolios and customizable investment solutions while serving as a platform provider with extensive clearing and custody relationships.

Valbona Ceci is a CFP® professional with nine years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Mariner. Prior to joining Mariner in 2017, she worked at BMO Private Bank from 2013 to 2017. Mariner serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth households, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations, offering services such as investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and coordinated tax services. The firm combines in-house research with third-party manager allocations across various strategies and maintains integrated tax and administrative capabilities uncommon for firms of its size.

Jack Hansen is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor at Mariner with three years of industry experience. He has worked at Mariner Wealth Advisors since 2018. Prior to his advisory career, he held roles at Afton House Inn and Finish Line. Mariner serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and corporations, providing investment management, financial planning, retirement consulting, and tax services. The firm employs discretionary, customized portfolio strategies supported by in-house research and third-party managers, and offers integrated tax, accounting, and family office capabilities not commonly found at large advisory firms.

Evan Ferry is a financial advisor at NorthCoast Asset Management LLC with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 license and has worked at Focus Partners Wealth, Kovitz Investment Group Partners, and Relative Value Partners. Outside of finance, his background includes several years of employment at country clubs. NorthCoast Asset Management provides investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm uses a quantitative and systematic investment approach with proprietary models, managing most client relationships on a discretionary basis.

David Brown is a financial advisor with William Blair in Highland Park, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and over 22 years of industry experience. He has been with William Blair and Company, L.L.C. since 2003. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension, and corporate clients. The firm emphasizes active, research-driven management across multiple asset classes and offers proprietary models alongside access to private funds and co-investment opportunities.

Benjamin Audley is a CFP® professional with eight years of experience in financial advising. He currently works at Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC and previously held roles at Hightower Advisors, LLC and Mesirow Financial, Inc. prior to joining his current firm. Integrated Wealth Concepts serves individuals, families, trusts, estates, businesses, and retirement plans through a network of independent advisors. The firm primarily constructs customized portfolios using mutual funds, ETFs, individual equities, and fixed income with a primarily long-term approach, while also offering discretionary investment management and family office services.

Lihua Zhu is a financial advisor with Transamerica Financial Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 10 years of industry experience. Her work history includes roles at Prime Planners Inc and HR-Block, along with her position as an IRS Enrolled Agent providing tax preparation services. She has also been involved with the Xilin Northwest Chinese School and co-owns a small business with Frank Liu. Transamerica Financial Advisors, LLC offers investment advisory, brokerage, and retirement-plan services to a diverse client base, utilizing model portfolios and third-party managers. The firm serves individual investors, employer-sponsored plans, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations through a large network and multiple advisory platforms.

Gabriel Korach is a financial advisor with Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc., holding a Series 66 designation and 15 years of industry experience. He has been with Mesirow Financial since 2010. Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc.’s Wealth Management division offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment management and financial planning services. The firm serves private individuals, institutional clients, and government entities, using both third-party managers and proprietary private investment products.