Molly Catalano is a financial advisor with Merrill in Encino, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 10 years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated from 2017 to the present and United Brokerage Services, Inc. from 2016 to 2017. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a notary public. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services for Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering a range of model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Bonnie Hong is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 22 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at various Morgan Stanley entities since 2007, including Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved as an officer in a real estate-related business. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs and tailored financial planning, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. The firm’s financial planning process utilizes structured discovery and modeling tools, offering both direct and employer-partnered plans.

Philip Walz is a Financial Services Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works with clients to develop personalized financial strategies that align with their individual goals and priorities. His approach involves connecting clients to the appropriate people, plans, and processes to support objectives such as funding children’s education, preparing for retirement, managing potential health care costs, and achieving long-term family goals. Philip holds professional designations as an Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA) and a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned a Bachelor's Degree from California State University Northridge. His work emphasizes transparency and simplicity in wealth planning to help clients feel confident and engaged throughout the financial decision-making process.

Amy Williams is a financial advisor at Merrill with 17 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Merrill and Bank of America in various roles since 2007. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Jia Ni is a financial advisor at Cetera with seven years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at firms including Citigroup, HSBC Securities USA, and Bank of America. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services, utilizing a multi-manager platform with access to affiliated and third-party managers across various program structures.

Kimberly Uymettler is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 33 years of industry experience. She has been with Cetera Advisors LLC since 2013 and joined Cetera in 2024. In addition to her advisory role, she operates her own insurance business, Kimberly Insurance Services, specializing in life and health insurance. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a large SEC-registered firm serving a wide range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional accounts. The firm offers diverse portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform with over 10,000 advisors managing more than $256 billion in assets.

Christina Smith is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Pasadena, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials with 17 years of industry experience. She has been with Morgan Stanley since 2009, including six years at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs a structured planning process using firm-approved tools and economic modeling.

Benjamin Smits is a financial advisor at Fidelity with nine years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at Merrill, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and Independent Capital Management. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, an IRS-qualified Charitable Gift Fund, and registered investment companies. The firm combines fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction, managing portfolios through systematic methodologies and oversight of affiliated sub-advisers.

Michelle Kir is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor at Merrill with seven years of industry experience. She has worked at Bank of America and Merrill since 2018 and previously spent sixteen years with Wells Fargo Investments. 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 plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Byron Duran is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. He has worked at Merrill since 2018 and currently serves at Bank of America, N.A. since 2025. Prior to his financial services career, he was employed at MetroPCS and Camino College. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Benjamin Blum is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 65 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 23 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Cetera, Woodbury Financial Services, and Pacific Life Insurance Company. Outside of advising, he is an independent insurance agent and the owner of Bless Holdings, LLC. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, and charitable organizations, providing financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services through a network of independent professionals. The firm offers a range of implementation options, including proprietary model strategies and third-party manager referrals, with both discretionary and non-discretionary approaches tailored to client objectives.

Derek Iger is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, based in Pasadena, CA. He has one year of industry experience, including roles in finance and technology, as well as ownership of Noble Films LLC. He has previous experience in the entertainment and storytelling sectors. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, using a process that incorporates quantitative asset-allocation modeling and centralized due diligence. The firm applies an ESG eligibility framework and offers services on a non-discretionary basis, with clients retaining final decision-making authority.

Yipeng Hsu is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Pasadena, CA, holding a Series 66 designation and beginning his advisory career in 2026. His prior experience includes positions at Cathay Private Equity Co., Ltd and J.P. Morgan. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, including financial planning and estate strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes structured planning processes supported by firm-approved tools and modeling techniques.

Diane Grohulski is a Senior Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor based in the Pasadena, California Merrill Lynch Wealth Management office. She has been an investor since 1983 and has worked with Merrill since 1990. In her role, Diane focuses on total wealth management and strategies for multidimensional personal and business finance. She utilizes a defined process that involves understanding each client's specific situation, establishing objectives, recommending appropriate strategies, and reviewing progress toward those goals to provide personalized advice and access to specialized investment services for sophisticated investors. Diane holds a Bachelor's Degree from City University of New York and an MBA from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business. She earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC™) designation in 2010 and also holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Her expertise spans client focus areas including college education planning, corporate executive services, family wealth management strategies, services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, socially responsible and ESG investing, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income. In addition to her professional work, Diane is active in her community. She has served as a Trustee of the LA County Arboretum and has participated on various boards and committees, including A Noise Within Theater, USC Marshall Partners, the executive committee of the Girl Scouts Mt. Wilson Council, South Lake Business Association, Historic Highlands Neighborhood Association, and USC Trojan Affiliates. She speaks both French and English.

William Porter is a Wealth Management Advisor specializing in providing wealth management services to large institutions, nonprofit organizations, employee benefit plans, and high-net-worth individuals. He offers expertise in corporate benefits, divorce transition planning, institutional consulting, services for defined benefit plans, investment consulting for defined contribution plans, employee financial health, philanthropic planning, and retirement income. Porter holds several professional designations, including Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), Certified 401(k) Professional (C(k)P®), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). He began his financial services career in 1996 and joined Merrill Lynch in 2013, where he is among a select group of advisors approved to provide investment consulting services to institutional clients with complex defined-contribution investment needs. He completed his high school education at Beech High School and attended Western Kentucky University without obtaining a degree. Porter is a board member of Reaching 360, a faith-based humanitarian organization, and is involved with Cornerstone Church in a leadership capacity. He is also a member of the Tennessee Beekeepers Association.

Michael Kojin is a financial advisor at Merrill with six years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Bank of America, Raymond James Financial Services, and Quintus Investment Counsel. Outside of finance, he has experience with the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows and has been involved with the University of California, Riverside Athletic Department. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth investors, and institutions.

James Christiansen is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Arcadia, CA, holding a Series 63 designation and 44 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliates since 2005. Ameriprise offers retirement-income planning services primarily for clients with significant investable assets, providing tailored recommendations through a centralized consulting team that combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis. The firm delivers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions typical of a large institutional firm.

Tyler Munro is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at LPL Enterprise with five years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Pruco Securities LLC, and Morton Capital Management. Outside of financial advising, he works on event production, assisting with setup and breakdown for various companies. LPL Enterprise serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and institutional clients through advisory and brokerage channels. The firm offers financial planning, access to model wealth portfolios, third-party asset management, and a range of financial products supported by an integrated platform combining advisory programs with insurance and lending services.

Ke Zhang is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 13 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked with Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015, as well as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2012. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a wide range of advisory programs to individual and institutional clients, including tailored financial planning that utilizes structured discovery conversations and firm-approved tools. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and offers its services both directly and through corporate financial planning agreements.

Steven Peterson is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined the firm in 2009 after serving 24 years as an officer at a boutique money management firm in Southern California. Steven holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from California State University, Los Angeles. He earned the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC) and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC) designations and holds Series 7 and Series 66 FINRA registrations. His expertise includes family wealth management strategies, defined benefit and contribution plans, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, special needs planning, and tax minimization. Steven works closely with individuals and local businesses to develop comprehensive wealth plans that incorporate retirement planning, estate planning, college funding, insurance, investments, professional money management, asset allocation, and executive planning. He regularly meets with clients to review and adjust their financial plans according to their evolving needs. Steven is also engaged in community activities and volunteers with local organizations. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys cooking, music, soccer, spending time with his family, traveling, and woodworking.