Leon Smith is a CFP® with 31 years of industry experience and is currently affiliated with Cetera. He has worked in various capacities within Avantax and related firms for over three decades. In addition to his advisory role, he provides tax preparation and accounting services. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving a wide range of clients, including individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, corporate and charitable entities, and institutional accounts. The firm offers comprehensive portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform that includes both affiliated and third-party managers.

Michael Gattuso is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 32 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has previously worked at American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. and First Allied Securities, Inc. He is also the owner of Gattuso Financial Services, an insurance business. OSAIC Wealth serves a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, charities, and corporate clients. The firm offers brokerage and advisory services through a multi-advisor platform, utilizing model-based asset allocation and portfolio optimization techniques.

Jennifer Despain is a CFP® professional with 15 years of industry experience, currently advising at Cetera since 2021. She previously worked with Avantax Advisory Services and its related entities for nearly a decade. In addition to her advisory role, she owns and operates Canyon Oak Financial, where she prepares tax returns, develops tax planning strategies, and manages bookkeeping and payroll services for clients. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable organizations, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with various discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management options, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers.

Riley Welles is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Cetera, Riley held roles at California State University of Northridge and Canyon Oak Financial, where he was involved in bookkeeping and accounting-related activities. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a large SEC-registered adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a network of over 10,000 advisors. The firm offers a variety of portfolio management and financial planning services, including access to affiliated and third-party managers, with over $256 billion in assets under management.

Bryce Wallington is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 designation with 17 years of experience in the financial industry, all of which have been at Edward Jones since 2009. He is based in Agoura Hills, California. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in managing a commercial rental property. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million clients, including individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory strategies and affiliated investment products, operating under a fiduciary standard with a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Oliver Alvarado Algarate is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Deluxe Media and The Cheesecake Factory. Merrill, together 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.

Juby Wang is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Sherman Oaks, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2017, Wang worked at UBS Financial Services and Merrill. Outside of advisory work, Wang is involved in property management as a sole proprietor. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a range of advisory programs and tailored financial planning services to individual and institutional clients. The firm employs structured planning tools and supports financial planning through its Global Investment Committee, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Ronald Sera is a financial advisor at Raymond James & Associates with 32 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and previously worked at firms including Cetera and Financial West Group. Raymond James & Associates, Inc. is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a wide range of clients, including individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning and non-discretionary consulting through various advisory programs and institutional solutions.

Melissa Shapiro is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Westlake Village. She provides tailored advice and guidance to individuals, families, and businesses, helping them identify their financial goals and priorities. Melissa engages deeply with clients to resolve complex financial needs, streamline various aspects of their financial frameworks, and offers support through multiple wealth disciplines including portfolio design, liability and risk assessment, long-term strategy, trust and estate planning, as well as banking and lending services through Bank of America. Melissa joined Merrill in 2021 after serving as a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley, where she gained extensive insight into the wealth management needs of wealth creators and multi-generational families. Her professional background also includes experience as a Technical Recruiter for a Fortune 500 company and an Account Executive for a marketing and lifestyle brand. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University and incorporates principles of behavioral finance to support clients in making effective decisions. A native of Los Angeles, Melissa enjoys living in her home city. Her personal interests include golfing, salsa dancing, acrobatic yoga, adventure sports such as baseball, hiking, rock climbing, skiing, tennis, and spending time with her family.

Ali Rad is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 25 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Western International Securities, Financial West Group, Oppenheimer, and Morgan Stanley. He is also involved as an agent in accident and health, life, and variable insurance. 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 advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Lucy Viado is a financial advisor at Equitable Advisors with 27 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at Copper Financial, Edward Jones, Viado Insurance & Financial Services, and AllState Insurance Company. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as CEO and President of the LVFS Education Foundation, a nonprofit focused on promoting financial literacy, and volunteers with Junior Achievement to provide financial education to nonprofit organizations. Equitable Advisors serves individuals ranging from non‑high-net-worth to high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and other institutions. The firm offers financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset-management programs through a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and employs a range of third-party advisory models and asset management solutions.

Kelly Markowitz is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Westlake Village, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial in 2013, Kelly worked at Edward Jones from 2009 to 2013. Kelly is also the owner and CEO of KM Wealth Advisors, a business entity focused on tax and investment purposes. 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 financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and various institutional platforms, with advice delivered through a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Mark Drabkin is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Westlake Village, CA, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. His work history includes a recent tenure at Morgan Stanley starting in 2022 and prior academic roles at the University of California Los Angeles and Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a variety of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning that utilizes structured discovery conversations and firm-approved planning tools.

Blake Ribnick is a financial advisor at Osaic with 15 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at Securities America Advisors, Inc. from 2011 to 2024. Ribnick is also involved in insurance sales, including annuities. Osaic Wealth serves a broad mix of retail and institutional clients through a multi-advisor platform, offering brokerage and advisory services that include comprehensive financial planning, advisor-managed portfolios, and retirement plan consulting. The firm’s investment approach emphasizes model-based asset allocation and portfolio optimization supported by various analytical tools and offers multiple program options through affiliated broker-dealer and RIA relationships.

Matthew Denny is a financial advisor at Cetera with 27 years of industry experience. He holds the PFS™ designation and Series 66 license. His prior experience includes roles at Avantax and 1st Global Advisors, as well as longstanding involvement as a partner at Denny & Company, LLP, a certified public accounting firm. He previously served on the Measure SA Oversight Committee for the William S Hart Union High School District. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered advisor that serves individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with diverse portfolio management options, including discretionary and non-discretionary services, model portfolios, and access to third-party managers.

Eric Kozman is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and four years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Stifel Financial, LPL Financial, and Northwest Bank. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and affiliated managed-account and financial planning services. The firm combines non-discretionary advisory relationships with access to discretionary separately managed accounts and offers integrated brokerage, custody, and advisory services.

Betty Ma is a financial advisor at Merrill with 25 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 credential. She has been with Merrill since 1999. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as the treasurer for her daughter’s Girl Scouts troop, a volunteer position involving financial recordkeeping and account management. Merrill, together 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 a range of individual and institutional clients.

Alan Plotkin is a financial advisor at Stifel with 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Stifel Nicolaus since 2008 and holds a Series 63 designation. Stifel serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutional clients, and municipal entities, offering brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm utilizes a proprietary investment methodology developed by its Investment Strategy Group to provide asset allocation and planning analyses, while clients retain discretion over implementation.

Darren Schwartz is a Senior Financial Advisor and Managing Director with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Group in Westlake Village, CA. He works with individuals, families, and business owners, including business owners, C Suite Executives, health care professionals, entertainment executives, attorneys, and real estate investors, to develop personalized financial strategies focused on portfolio management, estate planning, tax-efficient retirement plans, and risk management. He leads a professional team that utilizes Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and Bank of America banking specialists to create customized strategies aimed at meeting clients' financial objectives. Since 2003, Darren has helped investors create and preserve wealth and has been part of the Private Client Group since 2008. He holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor® (CPFA®) designations, as well as FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 registrations and Life & Health Insurance licenses. Darren earned a Bachelor's Degree from San Diego State University. He serves clients with a focus on family wealth management, retirement planning, tax minimization, socially responsible investments, and values-based investing. A native of Southern California, Darren lives in the Los Angeles area with his wife and two children. He participates in community organizations such as Sail LA, Cancer Free Generation, and the Surfrider Foundation. His personal interests include adventure sports, boxing, photography, skiing, surfing, swimming, and traveling.

Jenna Lee is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors with 16 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked with Wells Fargo and its affiliates since 2012, including roles at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Bank. Additionally, Lee owns and operates Concord Wealth Management, a separate financial practice based in Pasadena, CA. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network serves individuals, trusts, and institutions by offering a broad range of investment and fee-based financial planning services, including specialized planning for business owners, sports and entertainment professionals, and clients with unique needs. The firm integrates advisory services with other financial products and referral channels, providing tailored recommendations supported by proprietary research and planning tools.