Todd Bauman is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Arlington Heights, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 30 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2009. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services primarily for clients approaching or in retirement with substantial investable assets, using a centralized consulting team to deliver tailored, non-discretionary recommendations that incorporate research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis. The firm offers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions typical of a large institutional provider.

Nicholas Curio is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Deerfield, IL, holding a Series 66 designation. He has been with Morgan Stanley and its Private Bank since 2026 and previously worked at Second Avenue and UBS Financial Services Inc. Outside of finance, his background includes work in the hospitality and retail sectors. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and financial planning services, utilizing structured planning tools and investment models while generally acting in an advisory capacity.

John Tofilon is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 41 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley and its affiliates since 2007, including roles at Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a wide range of advisory programs to both individual and institutional clients, emphasizing tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and structured discovery conversations. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and offers comprehensive financial planning services directly and through corporate agreements.

Kelly Ipjian is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at firms including Triad Advisors, Alera Investment Advisors, GCG Financial Services, and Securian Financial Services. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, with both discretionary and non-discretionary management options supported by proprietary and third-party research.

Shawky Yoakim is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 15 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at firms including Mass Mutual Investors Services, Fifth Third Securities, and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank. 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. As a subsidiary of J.P. Morgan, the firm combines institutional advisory operations with brokerage and investment management capabilities.

David Carter is a financial advisor at Merrill with 14 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations. Prior to joining Merrill in 2022, he worked at J.P. Morgan Securities and JP Morgan Chase Bank from 2011 to 2022. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Kathleen Liggins is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Edward Jones in Buffalo Grove, IL, where she has six years of experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2007 in various roles. Outside of her advisory work, she serves as Treasurer for the Barrington Juniors Women’s Club and is a managing member of BK Legacy Holdings LLC, a consumer retail products business. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management. The firm offers a variety of advisory strategies, including both discretionary and non-discretionary options, and maintains a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Christopher Auer is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing extensive experience in wealth management and financial planning since beginning his career in 1998. He specializes in education planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, tax minimization, and retirement income. Christopher focuses on delivering a comprehensive approach tailored to each client’s individual needs by listening carefully and helping them make informed decisions to achieve their financial goals. He holds professional designations as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Christopher also completed an Accredited Certificate Program at Northern Illinois University. Outside of his professional role, he is involved with the Porsche Club of America and enjoys hiking, music, photography, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Spencer Hunzeker is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with the CFP® designation and a Series 66 license. He has 10 years of industry experience, all with Charles Schwab and Charles Schwab 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 offers a combination of non-discretionary and discretionary investment guidance, utilizing multi-asset model portfolios and a centralized operational structure.

John Lancaster III is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. He is a partner at Porte Brown LLC, where he provides tax preparation, planning, and consulting services to both individual and corporate clients. Lancaster also serves as the treasurer on the board of the Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce, participating in local business events and chamber activities. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a national SEC-registered firm serving a broad client base that includes individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and institutions. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with a range of portfolio management options, including model portfolios, third-party managers, and customized strategies, overseeing more than $256 billion in assets through over 10,000 advisors.

Blade Varian is a financial advisor at Fisher Investments with nine years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Fisher Investments since 2013. Fisher Investments serves a global mix of institutional and private clients, providing discretionary portfolio management across equity, fixed-income, and blended mandates. The firm employs a centralized investment process that combines quantitative screening and qualitative research to construct diversified portfolios and offers sub-advisory and retirement plan services.

Dejan Acimovic is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings over 15 years of experience in wealth management, sales, and finance, with a focus on helping clients achieve their financial goals through personalized strategies. Dejan holds the designations of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA). He earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from University Paris XII and is fluent in Serbo-Croatian, French, and English. Dejan emphasizes understanding each client’s full financial picture to develop flexible strategies that align with their long-term objectives. In addition to his professional work, he participates in community activities and volunteers with local organizations. Outside of work, Dejan enjoys basketball, reading, soccer, and traveling. His approach is centered on working closely with clients one-on-one to establish tailored financial plans that pursue their personal goals.

Pandit Singharuksa is a financial advisor with Merrill in Northbrook, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and two years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Bank of America, Interfirst Mortgage Company, and the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America. 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, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Joseph Scott is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Barrington, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations with 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, he owns a rental property business in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutional clients with a variety of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning and estate strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes a structured planning process supplemented by firm-approved tools.

Vanessa Drolshagen is a financial advisor with Merrill in Northbrook, Illinois, holding a Series 66 designation and 2 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2015 and previously worked at Bank of America, N.A. Vanessa is a co-trustee of a family trust and owns a home remodeling business where she assists with administrative tasks. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

Mark Gallegos is a Series 66–licensed financial advisor with two years of industry experience, currently with Cetera. He also serves as a partner at Porte Brown LLC, where he leads the international tax department, M&A tax area, and tax credits and incentives area, and engages in tax research and speaking on tax topics. Previously, he has worked with Avantax and Borhart Spellmeyer & Company LLC. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a nationwide SEC-registered adviser serving individual, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a large network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services, operating a multi-manager platform that allows advisors to implement model portfolios or bespoke strategies across various program structures.

Erin Von Roggenstein is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. She has held positions within multiple Charles Schwab entities since 2021 and previously worked at firms including Edward Jones and McKinley Capital Management. 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 affiliated discretionary separately managed accounts, multi-asset model portfolios, and a formal alternative-investment process.

Christine Kusher is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 23 years of industry experience. She has worked with LPL Financial since 2022 and has concurrent roles at Cuna Brokerage Services, Inc. and Cuna Mutual Insurance Society since 2010. Outside of her advisory work, she is also a self-employed musician. 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 diverse advisory programs and financial planning services, utilizing model portfolios and research from various sources to support discretionary and non-discretionary management.

Michael Paretzky is a financial advisor at Cetera with 13 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been involved in various nonprofit and community roles, including serving as operations director for Kollel Toras Chesed and operations manager at Mesivta Shaarei Adirim. Additionally, he is a board member of the National Eruv Initiative. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves individuals, retirement plans, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers diversified portfolio management and financial planning services using a multi-manager platform that includes model portfolios, third-party managers, and customized strategies.

David Maleh is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 28 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Morgan Stanley since 2009, serving in roles at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. in Deerfield, Illinois. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer offering a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, including customized financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and uses a structured financial planning process supported by firm-approved tools and modeling techniques.