Vishal Bhuta is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2025. He has over 10 years of experience in the financial services industry, having worked as a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley from 2013 to 2023 and as a Wealth Relationship Manager at Citi Personal Wealth Management from 2023 to 2025. Vishal specializes in providing financial planning services tailored to clients' individual goals and priorities. He emphasizes listening and understanding clients' needs to build trust and lasting relationships, aiming to bring confidence and peace of mind to their financial journeys. Outside of his professional work, Vishal has personal interests that include cars, comedy, food, movies, and parenthood.

Maurice Griffin is a financial advisor at Stifel with 40 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has been with Stifel Nicolaus & Co. Inc. since 2014. Stifel serves a broad range of clients, including individuals, institutional clients, charitable organizations, and municipalities, offering both brokerage and investment advisory services. The firm’s investment approach is based on a proprietary methodology developed by its Investment Strategy Group, which uses forward-looking capital market assumptions and probabilistic modeling to guide asset allocation and planning.

Amanda Green is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Crystal Lake, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and possessing 20 years of industry experience. She has been with Thrivent Investment Management since 2005 and worked at THRIVENT Financial since 2015. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of Financial Advisors. The firm offers holistic, goal-based planning without discretionary trading authority and allows clients to combine planning with managed-account services under a consolidated billing option.

Christopher Dunlap is a CFP® professional with 22 years of industry experience. He has been with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors since 2016. Dunlap also owns Dunlap Financial Services, where he operates as an insurance agent. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is an SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base, including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and trusts. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services through a network of independent Financial Professionals, utilizing a range of portfolio management strategies and platform arrangements.

John Messerschmidt is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Barrington, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 17 years of industry experience. He has worked at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Thrivent Investment Management since 2008. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through a network of Financial Advisors, offering both one-time and ongoing planning relationships covering topics such as retirement, income tax, estate, and special needs planning. The firm uses holistic, goal-based analyses and allows clients to combine planning with managed-account services under a consolidated billing option called “WealthPlan,” while keeping planning and account management separate.

Emily Werner is a financial advisor at Fidelity with Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and four years of industry experience. Her background includes roles at Acceptance Now (Rent a Center LLC) and teaching positions at Utah Valley University and Moraine Park Technical College. She works with Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company that provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including charitable funds and registered investment companies. The firm employs a process combining fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to deliver model portfolios using mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.

Mark Haussermann is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management with over 15 years of experience, primarily focused on corporate retirement plans. Since joining Merrill in 2003, he has developed a corporate retirement plan practice aimed at delivering tailored financial strategies for both plan sponsors and participants. His advisory approach emphasizes fiduciary responsibility and personalized wealth management, working closely with clients to address their specific goals and challenges. Mark 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 earned a Bachelor's Degree from Colgate University. His expertise spans areas such as corporate benefits, executive services, employee financial health, retirement income strategies, and divorce transition planning. Outside of his professional role, Mark participates in community volunteer activities aligned with Merrill's tradition of community involvement. His personal interests include cooking, golfing, music, tennis, and spending time with his family.

Michael Ellsworth is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Elgin, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 33 years of industry experience. He has worked with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2005. Outside of his advisory role, he has real estate ownership interests unrelated to investment activities. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services targeted at individuals nearing or in retirement who meet specific asset criteria, delivering non-discretionary, research-driven recommendations that integrate tax-efficient strategies and Social Security options. As a large institutional firm, Ameriprise offers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through its affiliated companies.

Michael Taylor is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Barrington, IL, where he has worked since 2010. He has 19 years of industry experience. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutions with a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured financial planning process supported by firm-approved tools and methodologies.

Lisa James Pope is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In her role, she directs her team in providing advisory and investment management services, designing customized global financial strategies for affluent individuals and families. She guides clients through the development, implementation, and management of portfolios aimed at achieving their goals within their risk tolerance and investment policies. Lisa holds the Portfolio Manager title and is certified to offer Alternative Investments. With over two decades of experience in financial services and a background that includes a Master's Degree from Loyola University Chicago and a Bachelor's Degree from Howard University, Lisa applies her expertise to assist clients across various focus areas such as college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, philanthropic planning, special needs planning strategies, and more. She emphasizes understanding clients' life priorities to create personalized plans aligned with their goals and aspirations. Lisa's professional affiliations include membership in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Theta Rho Omega Chapter, DuSable Museum of African American History, Eta Creative Arts Foundation, and The Link Incorporated, Lake Shore Links Chapter. She is also involved in community activities through the Chicago Polo and the DuSable Museum African American History. Outside of her professional work, Lisa's interests include interior decorating, music, painting, photography, and yoga.

Evelyn Berthold is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Schaumburg, IL, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and three years of industry experience. She previously worked at JP Morgan Chase for five years and Fifth Third Bank for twelve years. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified firm serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that provides written recommendation reports and ongoing annual retirement-income planning focused on dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Elizabeth Silverman Zurek is a financial advisor at Primerica Advisors with nine years of industry experience. She holds the Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and has previously worked at Intellisource Inc. and Tukaiz. Outside of financial advising, she owns and operates businesses in large format printing and photography. Primerica Advisors manages a wrap-fee asset management program primarily serving individual investors, including both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and charitable clients. The firm utilizes model-delivery strategies developed by unaffiliated asset managers and provides advisory services through a large network of financial advisors.

Michael Ryder is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Glenview, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. He has worked at Edward Jones since 2021 and previously held roles at Timothy O'Tooles and Levy Restaurants. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including various household types, pension plans, corporate clients, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory and investment solutions through a nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Bradley Cordes is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors in Highland Park, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 25 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Advisors since 2019 and previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as an executor for an estate and is a notary public. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network provides investment and fee-based financial planning services to individuals, trusts, and institutions, offering a broad range of planning options including retirement, education, and business-owner transition planning. The firm uses proprietary research and planning tools to develop tailored recommendations delivered through personalized meetings and client letters.

Todd Bracy is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 42 years of industry experience. He has worked at Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and was previously with WELLS FARGO Advisors, LLC from 2013 to 2016. Wells Fargo Clearing provides retirement plan consulting services to qualified ERISA plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services. The firm’s IPS-driven approach incorporates modern portfolio theory and includes a broad range of financial products such as insurance-related vehicles and bank deposit sweep options.

Daniel Iscra is a Wealth Management Advisor with over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. He began his career at The Northern Trust Company in Chicago in 1988 and later earned his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. In 2007, Daniel joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he focuses on helping clients achieve their financial goals through personalized wealth management strategies. Daniel’s expertise includes financial forecasting, budgeting, investment analysis, and socially responsible investing. He works closely with business owners and multi-generational families to assist in creating, preserving, and transferring wealth. He also supports non-profit organizations and families interested in aligning their investments with their values. His approach to wealth management involves collaboration with specialists in retirement planning, life insurance, trust and estate planning, and banking solutions offered through Bank of America NA. Additionally, Daniel partners with clients' CPAs and attorneys to ensure financial decisions align with their broader tax and estate plans. Daniel holds several professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois System and a Master’s degree from the University of Chicago. Daniel resides in Crystal Lake with his wife and four sons and is actively involved in leadership roles within community organizations related to church, education, children’s activities, healthcare, and community development.

Erik Feldhaus serves as the Resident Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill's Lake Forest branch. In this role, he manages the branch office while also acting as a player-coach for his advisors and staff. He began his career at Merrill in 1999 and rejoined the firm in 2017. Erik works with a limited number of clients, primarily business owners, allowing him and his team to provide focused time and resources tailored to their distinctive needs. Erik's expertise includes family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, individual and corporate investment strategy, and tax minimization. His background encompasses business ownership, law, and tax-minimization strategies, which provide him with insight to comprehensively address his clients' concerns. He holds professional designations such as Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™ (AWMA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). His education includes a Bachelor's Degree from George Washington University, an Accredited Certificate Program from The Naval Justice School, and a Juris Doctorate Degree from Jacob D Fuchsberg School of Law. He is also a member of the Exit Planning Institute. Beyond his professional commitments, Erik volunteers his time supporting the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Ross Krause is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding CFP® and Series 66 credentials and bringing 10 years of industry experience. He has previously worked at Edward Jones, MassMutual Investors Services, MassMutual Life Insurance Company, and Triad Investment Management. Outside of advising, Krause is a freelance writer. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a wide range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, banks, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, advisory programs, and retirement plan consulting, providing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by research from LPL Research and third-party subadvisors.

Jackson Tavenner is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Glenview, IL, holding a Series 66 license with four years of industry experience. His previous roles include positions at Riverfront Investment Group, Alps Distributors, and Breakthru Beverage Group. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individual and institutional clients with a variety of advisory programs and tailored financial planning services. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs structured planning tools alongside broad retail and institutional offerings.

Stephen Yates is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 33 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Morgan Stanley in various roles since 2010, including Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A., since 2015. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients with a broad range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning and estate planning strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and uses structured planning tools and modeling techniques in its financial planning process.