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.

John Vittorini is a financial advisor at Fidelity with six years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at firms including J.P. Morgan Securities, Citigroup, Merrill, and Bank of America. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, utilizing a process that combines proprietary fundamental research with quantitative analysis and algorithmic portfolio construction. The firm is known for its use of systematic methodologies, oversight controls, and its advisory role to multiple registered investment companies and fund-of-funds.

Travis Sheets is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 license and 29 years of industry experience. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2008, with prior roles at Banc of America Investment Services and Morgan Stanley DW Inc. Sheets also operates Trek Wealth Management as a separate business activity. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning and access to third-party asset managers, and supports its advisors with research tools and institutional platforms.

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.

Jeff Slattery is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Wheaton, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 26 years of industry experience. He has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and previously operated DreamLander Eco-Adventure Tours for five years. J.P. Morgan Securities 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 large institutional advisory operations with brokerage and investment management capabilities.

Aira Lodygowski is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Saint Charles, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and seven years of industry experience. She has worked with BMO Harris since 2011, including roles at BMO HARRIS BANK from 2011 to 2018, and joined LPL Financial in 2018. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of services including financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, with advice delivered through a large network of investment adviser representatives using a variety of strategic and customized investment approaches.

Michael Ulaszek is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Geneva, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 16 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2015. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory and investment solutions supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Adisa Hadzic is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 10 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2015, also affiliated with JPMORGAN Chase Bank, N.A. since 2014. 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. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities, delivering recommendations on a non-discretionary basis while clients retain final decision authority.

Joseph Miceli is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 35 years of industry experience. He has been with Cetera and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC since 2000. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in health and life insurance renewals as an insurance agent. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser serving individual, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a network of over 10,000 independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and consulting services, utilizing a multi-manager platform with various program options, including automated allocations and direct indexing.

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.

Martin Friel II is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Geneva, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and over 21 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2004. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as president of the Tri-Cities Soccer Association and has been a youth soccer referee for multiple local leagues. Ameriprise provides a retirement-income planning service designed for individuals approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver personalized, non-discretionary recommendations, supported by a centralized consulting team.

Erik Rosencrans is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional. He joined The Rosencrans Group in 2022 and works alongside his father and business partner, Jeff Rosencrans, who has been a Merrill advisor for over 40 years. Erik brings his background in corporate financial strategy and experience in management consulting and private equity—where he advised corporations on financial strategy and operational efficiency across technology, healthcare, and finance sectors—to his role in wealth management. Erik's expertise includes investment management, retirement planning, tax minimization strategies, insurance, and estate planning services. He supports clients in areas such as college education planning, family wealth management, legacy and liquidity management, managing new wealth, small business strategies, and retirement income. His approach is grounded in research, analytical rigor, and a commitment to client success, emphasizing thoughtful, personalized guidance and building lasting relationships. He holds bachelor's degrees in Entrepreneurship, Corporate Innovation, and Marketing from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. Erik lives in Chicago with his wife Lauren and participates in community organizations including Groop of Friends and The Friendly Scholars Foundation.

Jennifer Kaehu Hervai is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Wheaton, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and seven years of industry experience. Her work history includes positions at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Bank of America. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and an ESG eligibility framework in its approach.

Gregory Farber is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. He has worked with J.P. Morgan Securities and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank since 2018, and previously held roles at T2 Asset Management and Calamos Wealth Management. In addition to his advisory role, he is also employed by J.P. Morgan Bank, where he offers bank products such as deposit and credit services. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, delivering asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities, offering recommendations on a non-discretionary basis while clients retain final decision authority.

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.

Patricia Ciebien is a financial advisor at Merrill with 30 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Merrill since 1986. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

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.