Nirdesh Patel is a financial advisor with OSAIC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He previously worked for Signator Investors, Inc. and John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co. for 22 years before joining OSAIC in 2018. Patel is also an agent for Dynasty Retirement and Financial Services, where he is involved in the sales and marketing of fixed annuities and non-variable insurance products. OSAIC serves a diverse client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering integrated brokerage and advisory services through a large network of affiliated advisers and multiple platforms. The firm employs various asset-allocation tools and third-party solutions to construct portfolios that include a range of securities and alternative investments, with accounts managed on discretionary or non-discretionary bases.

Lesley Torres is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with two years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. Her work history includes roles at Charles Schwab Bank, SSB, Charles Schwab & Co Inc., Magnit, Paylocity, and Edgars Landscaping Inc. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves a large client base primarily composed of 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 offers a combination of non-discretionary advisory relationships and access to affiliated discretionary separately managed accounts, supported by strategic asset allocation and a formal alternative investment process.

Michael Hirsch is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Villa Park, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and possessing 23 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2003. Hirsch serves as a trustee for the United Congregation Community Church and reviews investments for the St. Peters Church Endowment Committee. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment options supported by a large nationwide network of advisors and branch offices.

Daniel Sano is a Series 66 registered advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with four years of industry experience. He has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2022 and was previously employed at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. for 21 years. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors. The firm combines quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applies an ESG eligibility framework when recommending strategies.

Robert Stackhouse is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 32 years of industry experience. He has previously worked at Eastern Point Advisors Inc., Investors Capital Corp., and currently maintains a separate investment consulting and advising business, RPS Financial, which he owns and operates. He has been affiliated with Cetera and its affiliates since 2016. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a wide range of clients including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable organizations, and institutional accounts. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement services through a multi-manager platform with access to both affiliated and third-party investment managers and various program structures.

Richard Augustine Sr. is a financial advisor with OSAIC based in Schaumburg, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 26 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at SagePoint Financial, Lincoln Financial Advisors, and Austin Bancorp. In addition to his advisory work, he serves as president of R.J. Augustine & Associates, Ltd., a corporation offering tax, accounting, and strategic business planning services, and he is the treasurer of the Founders Club Homeowners Association. OSAIC serves a diverse client base that includes individuals, high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm provides integrated brokerage and advisory services, utilizing asset-allocation tools and risk-assessment methods to manage portfolios across various asset classes on discretionary and non-discretionary bases.

Michael Procaccio II is a financial advisor at Cetera with eight years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has held roles at multiple entities including LM Portfolio, LLC, Narus Subs Inc, and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. Outside of advisory work, he is involved in franchise operations through The Procaccio Corporation and related companies. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary program options.

Julia Pierre Louis is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 11 years of industry experience. She has been with J.P. Morgan Securities and JPMorgan Chase Bank since 2014. 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 through a select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with broker-dealer and investment adviser registrations, offering a range of advisory and brokerage services.

Michael Barwacz is currently a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2024. He has been with Fidelity since 2019, serving previously as a Planning Consultant from 2021 to 2024 and as a Relationship Manager from 2019 to 2021. Prior to joining Fidelity, Michael worked as a Premium Investment Consultant for Merrill Edge between 2017 and 2019. Michael brings over 40 years of experience in the financial industry. His background includes a decade as Director of Retail Trading at TD Ameritrade from 2007 to 2017 and over two decades as a Market Maker at the Chicago Board Options Exchange from 1984 to 2007. This extensive experience supports his focus on building comprehensive financial plans tailored to individual goals. Outside of his professional work, Michael enjoys activities such as cooking and baking, family engagements, fitness, football, music, and photography.

Benjamin Gottlieb is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management based in Schaumburg, Illinois. He specializes in working with businesses on retirement, benefit, executive, and equity compensation program needs, supporting companies and individuals in developing retirement programs specific to their plan design. As part of a team, he follows a methodical process to review current plans and look for opportunities to improve technology, reporting, fees, and risk management to help companies fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities. Ben began his career in the financial services industry in 2008. He is a member of the Institutional Advisory Council (IACTM) at Merrill, which includes retirement and institutional designated advisors who provide input to firm management. Ben holds several professional designations, including Certified 401(k) Professional (CkP), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He graduated from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland and completed the UCLA Anderson School of Management Executive Education Program in 2018. Ben lives in the Northwest Suburbs of Illinois with his wife, Kristen, and their three children, Charlotte, Jack, and Taylor. In his free time, he enjoys football, golf, hockey, activities that help animals, and spending time with his family. He is involved with community organizations such as the Humane Society, Love for Liam, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Aruna Sriram is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 22 years of industry experience. She has held roles at J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 2005. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, focusing on asset-allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting through its Institutional Consulting Services program. The firm’s approach combines quantitative modeling with centralized due diligence and incorporates an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations.

Sofiya Semanyshyn is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Vermillion Financial Advisors and Le Colonial. She attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign from 2021 to 2025. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages approximately $671 billion in assets and employs more than 14,000 financial advisors, offering both brokerage and advisory solutions.

Gary Phelps is a financial advisor at Stifel with 28 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Merrill, Banc of America Investment Services, and LaSalle Financial Services. In addition to his advisory work, he is a notary public who notarizes documents for clients. Stifel serves a broad range of clients, including individuals, institutions, charitable organizations, and municipal entities, offering brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm’s investment approach uses a proprietary methodology developed by its Investment Strategy Group to provide asset allocation and planning analyses, which support client decision-making.

Maja Sobolewska is a financial advisor with LPL Enterprise holding a Series 66 designation and 20 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include nearly two decades at Equitable Advisors and Axa Advisors, along with recent positions at Prudential Insurance Company of America and Pruco Securities. She also sells health insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield on a limited basis. LPL Enterprise, LLC provides investment advisory and brokerage services to individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, banks, and charitable entities through a network of investment adviser representatives. The firm’s investment approach is model-driven, focusing on third-party asset managers and model portfolios, and it also offers affiliated insurance and trust services.

Frank Difino is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Glenview, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 19 years of industry experience. He has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and with JPMorgan Chase Bank since 2007. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors through its Institutional Consulting Services program. The firm combines quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applies an ESG eligibility framework when recommending strategies.

Jason Brim is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab, holding a Series 66 credential and seven years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at National Life Group and Lakeshore Financial Group. Outside of advising, he owns farmland in Central Illinois that he rents out for agricultural use. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves mainly high- and ultra-high-net-worth clients through its Schwab Wealth Advisory program, offering a blend of non-discretionary and discretionary investment management along with integrated custody and brokerage services.

Kent Atkinson is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Barrington, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and having 41 years of industry experience. He has worked with various Morgan Stanley entities since 2007, including Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015. Outside of his advisory work, he manages a rental property in Crystal Lake, IL. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer offering a wide range of advisory programs and financial planning services to individuals and institutional clients. The firm employs a structured planning process and serves clients through both direct and corporate financial planning agreements.

Donald Sakamoto is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Des Plaines, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and over 37 years of industry experience. His prior work includes positions at Level Four Advisory Services, New England Securities, and Osaic FA. He is also the owner of CMDS Insurance Brokerage and involved with Level Four Insurance Services, both insurance-related ventures. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supported by a large network of advisors and various operational technologies.

Gregory Berg is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Geneva, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 43 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliate since 2009. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service focused on clients approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets, providing customized written Recommendation Reports that cover income sources, Social Security options, and tax-smart withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver tailored, algorithm-assisted recommendations through a centralized consulting team.

Kriti Gogia is a financial advisor at Cetera with five years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has been with various Cetera-affiliated entities since 2021. Prior to her advisory role, she was employed at Genpact. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts through a large nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and consulting services, employing a multi-manager platform that includes affiliated and third-party managers across diverse program structures.