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.

Gabe Grzeskiewicz is a financial advisor at Cetera with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. He also serves as a partner at Porte Brown LLC, a CPA firm where he provides tax and accounting consulting services, leads the internal IT team, and manages the Elgin office. Additionally, Gabe is a board member of the Elgin Area Chamber, contributing to local business networking and strategy. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC operates as a multi-manager platform serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of portfolio management services and financial planning options through a nationwide network of independent advisors.

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.

Gerardo Soriano is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Bloomingdale, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 22 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2016. Outside of his advisory role, Soriano is a licensed long-term care insurance agent. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of financial planning and advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary management, supported by research from LPL Research and third-party subadvisors.

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.

Jeffrey Hejza is a CFP® with 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with LPL Financial and has held previous roles at Commonwealth Financial Network, Realty Associates Network, and Mortgage Services III. He is also involved in mortgage banking through Partners in Mortgage. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting, supported by research and model portfolios.

Greg Imhoff is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Crystal Lake, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 26 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Mass Mutual Investors Services, MassMutual Life Insurance, and Northwestern Mutual. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved with business entities such as BMGI Planning Partners, LLC, and Intuitive Financial LLC. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a wide range of advisory programs, financial planning, and brokerage services supported by research and model portfolios from LPL Research and third-party subadvisors.

Terri Abrams is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial with 41 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has been with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. since 1999. Abrams serves on the Woodstock Police Pension Board as an advisory board member. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning and investment consulting to a diverse client base, including individuals, institutional clients, and charitable organizations, using tailored planning and risk profiling tools.

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.

Mark Gallegos is a financial advisor at Cetera with three years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. He has worked at firms including Porte Brown Wealth Management and Avantax, and he is a partner at Porte Brown LLC, where he leads areas such as international tax, M&A tax, and tax credits and incentives. He also writes and speaks on tax topics. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a wide range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable entities, and institutional accounts. The firm offers diversified portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform that includes model portfolios, third-party managers, and bespoke strategies.

Michael Solesky is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial in Itasca, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 36 years of industry experience. He has been with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. since 2000 and with Raymond James Financial since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, he is an owner of Tistle, Solesky & Burgman Financial Services, where he is involved in non-variable insurance and related support activities. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base that includes individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutions. The firm uses tailored, non-discretionary planning and analytical tools to align client goals with investment strategies and supports a large network of advisors with specialized offerings such as municipal advisory services and SIMPLE IRA employer consulting.

George Aslanidis is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 17 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012, also working with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 2009. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, offering asset-allocation advice, investment manager and fund searches, and customized performance reporting 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.

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.

Angelo Tardi is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services in Chicago, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Mass Mutual-affiliated firms since 2015 and operates an advisory business through Tardi Family Financial Incorporated, where he supervises and manages investment programs. In addition, he works as an independent insurance agent specializing in life, accident, and health insurance. Mass Mutual Investors Services, LLC is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm provides financial planning, asset management, and educational seminars, using firm-approved software to support collaborative, goal-based financial planning engagements.

Elzbieta Jarzabek is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. with four years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Cetera, Fortis Capital Advisors, and Fifth Third Bank. Jarzabek is also involved with Olesen Financial Group, a non-investment-related support company based in Lake in the Hills, IL. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a wide range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and institutional investors. The firm employs a tailored, non-discretionary approach utilizing analytical tools to support client goals and offers specialized programs such as municipal advisory services and SIMPLE IRA Employer Advisory & Consulting Services.

Brian Harrigian is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors in Schaumburg, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and two years of industry experience. He has prior experience with Cambridge Investment Research Inc. and Preferred Planning Concepts, LLC. Outside of his advisory work, he coaches youth baseball with the Park Ridge Jr. Hawks Traveling Baseball League. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is an SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and trusts. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory services through a network of independent advisors using a variety of portfolio management approaches and custody arrangements.

Sean Lee is a financial advisor at Fidelity with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Fidelity, he worked at Molo Solutions for five years and held roles with Be Reality Group, Core Spaces, and The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including advisory work for registered investment companies and charitable funds. The firm uses a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to develop model portfolios, and it engages in activities such as fund-of-funds management and oversight of affiliated sub-advisers.