Sam Macaluso is the founder and principal of Ripple Ridge Enterprises LLC, an independent advisory firm. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 14 years of industry experience. In addition to his advisory work, he operates an independent insurance agency and a CPA firm, SAM D. Macaluso & Associates, which provides accounting and tax-preparation services. Ripple Ridge Enterprises serves individual and high-net-worth clients with financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs an asset-allocation approach and utilizes a range of investments, including mutual funds, ETFs, private placements, and non-traded real estate investment trusts.

Edwin Cogan is a financial advisor at Steeplechase Investments with 28 years of industry experience. He has been with Steeplechase Investments since 1994. Steeplechase Investments provides discretionary portfolio management primarily to individual clients, focusing on direct investments in stocks, bonds, and exchange-traded funds. The firm employs an active, tactical approach that adjusts between capital appreciation and preservation based on macroeconomic analysis and technical chart patterns, tailoring portfolios to clients’ age and income needs.

Robert Wall is a financial advisor with Wall Investment Group, Inc. in Orland Park, IL. He holds a Series 65 designation and has 23 years of industry experience, having been with Wall Investment Group since 2003. Wall Investment Group provides discretionary investment supervisory services and portfolio management to individuals, businesses, qualified pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and trusts. The firm emphasizes strategic asset allocation and combines fundamental and technical analysis in security selection, conducting formal account reviews at least quarterly.

William Alt is a financial advisor at MWS Capital Consultants LLC with five years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at MWS Capital Consultants since 2020. Prior to his current role, he was affiliated with UW-Madison and the Camp Randall Rowing Club, and he has over two decades of experience in public schools. MWS Capital Consultants LLC offers personalized investment management, wealth-planning, and consulting services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, and corporate clients. The firm emphasizes a Classic Portfolio Management strategy focused on fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, managing mostly discretionary portfolios while supporting interactive financial planning through the eMoney Advisor platform.

Frances Tuite is a CFA® charterholder with 11 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Sankota Capital LLC since 2024. She previously worked at Oak Family Advisors, LLC, Fairpointe Capital LLC, and RMB Capital Management. Outside of financial advising, she is co-manager of an organic brewery and restaurant and owns an organic farm. Sankota Capital LLC provides discretionary investment management to individuals, high-net-worth clients, family offices, pension and profit-sharing plans, foundations, endowments, and charitable institutions. The firm employs a fundamentally driven, concentrated investment approach focused on undervalued small- and mid-cap companies, incorporating corporate governance and sustainability assessments in its security selection.

Beth Smyth is a financial advisor at MWS Capital Consultants LLC in Chicago, holding a Series 65 designation. She began her career at MWS Capital Consultants in 2024 following a year at DePaul University. MWS Capital Consultants LLC provides personalized investment management, wealth-planning, and consulting services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, and corporate clients. The firm’s Classic Portfolio Management strategy focuses on direct ownership of equities, fixed income, and funds with an emphasis on long-term economic returns, using fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis rather than automated systems.

Eduardo Caldera is a financial advisor at Retirement Systems LLC with under one year of industry experience. He previously worked with Foundations Investment Advisors LLC and Regency Capital, and has a background in mortgage banking. He is also involved in life insurance and annuity sales through Regency Capital. Retirement Systems LLC provides discretionary asset management and financial planning primarily to individual clients, offering tailored portfolios and 3(21) fiduciary services to qualified retirement plans. The firm employs a mix of fundamental, technical, and charting analysis with quarterly reviews and allows clients to set written investment restrictions.

John Crawford is a financial advisor at Copperwood Financial with 15 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at LPL Financial LLC and Horizon Wealth Management. Copperwood Financial provides fee-based investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses, with a specialty practice for athletes under the Pro Athlete Wealth brand. The firm manages client portfolios on a discretionary, tactical allocation basis and offers qualified retirement plan consulting, including ERISA Section 3(38) fiduciary services.

David Gosnell is a CFA® charterholder with 18 years of experience at New England Research & Management, Inc. He is based in Chicago, IL, and has spent his entire professional career with the firm since 2008. New England Research & Management provides discretionary investment management primarily to high-net-worth individuals and families, managing a range of account types including trusts, retirement plans, and estates. The firm customizes portfolios to individual client objectives and manages each account separately, employing a diversified mix of securities and instruments, with reported assets under management of approximately $337 million across 149 client accounts.

Cynthia Menker is a CFP® with 24 years of industry experience, currently serving at Contour Financial since 2001. She holds a Series 65 license and is based in Orland Park, IL. Contour Financial serves individual households focusing on retirement planning and investment management for clients who are not high-net-worth. The firm emphasizes diversified portfolios using mutual funds and ETFs, combines investment oversight with comprehensive financial planning services, and operates as a fee-only fiduciary under the NAPFA code.

Justin Mccormack is a financial advisor with First Choice Financial Services LLC in Oak Brook, IL, holding a Series 65 license and 12 years of industry experience. He has been with First Choice Financial Services since 2013 and is also involved with First Choice Insurance Agency, where he has served in various roles since 2005. First Choice Financial Services LLC serves individual and high-net-worth clients by providing financial advice primarily through referrals to third-party money managers and estate-planning support. The firm acts as a liaison, assisting clients with third-party paperwork and ongoing oversight, while drawing on fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis in its recommendations.

Melissa Osika is an investment advisor with Herr Capital Management LLC in Chicago, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 19 years of industry experience. She has worked at Herr Capital Management since 2017 and previously held positions at American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc., SSN Advisory, Inc., and Securities Service Network. In addition to her advisory role, she is a licensed insurance agent offering life, health, disability, long-term care, and fixed annuities. Herr Capital Management LLC is a private wealth advisory firm serving individuals, families, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. The firm employs a disciplined investment process with strategic and tactical allocation adjustments and offers financial planning, discretionary investment management, and retirement-plan consulting.

Lamont Change is a CFP® professional with 16 years of experience, practicing at The Change Advisory Group, LLC in Chicago, IL. He holds the Series 66 designation and serves as a managing director at the firm. The Change Advisory Group primarily serves high-net-worth individuals and related entities, providing discretionary portfolio management alongside financial planning and consulting for trusts, IRAs, retirement accounts, and employer-sponsored plans. The firm constructs customized portfolios using asset allocation and security selection across multiple asset classes and serves a diverse client base that includes institutional and governmental entities.

Catriona Duncan is a CFA® charterholder and holds a Series 65 license, with four years of industry experience. She is currently with Sankota Capital LLC and previously worked at William Blair Investment Management, Columbia Wanger Asset Management, Advisory Research, Inc., and CUPPS Capital Management. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as the CIO and Treasurer of the Judy Family Foundation, focusing on long-term asset allocation and private investment evaluation. Sankota Capital LLC provides discretionary investment management to individuals, high-net-worth clients, family offices, pension or profit-sharing plans, foundations, endowments, and charitable institutions. The firm employs a fundamentally driven, concentrated investment approach targeting undervalued small- and mid-cap companies with an emphasis on corporate governance and sustainability.

Sara Freer is a financial advisor at New England Research & Management, Inc. She holds a Series 65 credential and has been with the firm since 2006. Sara operates out of Chicago, IL, and has 20 years of industry experience. New England Research & Management provides discretionary investment management primarily to high-net-worth individuals and families, managing a range of account types including trusts, retirement accounts, and estates. The firm customizes portfolios to individual client objectives and manages accounts separately, employing a variety of securities and strategies with full discretionary trading authority.

Gianni Perkovic is a financial advisor at Retirement Systems LLC with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 credential and has worked at several firms, including AE Wealth Management, EV Federal, FEFA Asset Management, and Citizens Bank. In addition to his advisory role, Perkovic is a licensed insurance agent and dedicates a significant portion of his time to insurance product sales. Retirement Systems LLC provides discretionary asset management, financial planning, and ERISA 3(21) fiduciary services to individuals and retirement plans. The firm offers tailored investment programs and ongoing portfolio management, combining fundamental, technical, and charting analysis with regular account reviews.

Dillon Hoover is a CFA® charterholder with four years of industry experience. He is currently an advisor at Significance Capital Management LLC and previously worked at CastleArk Management and Spot Trading L.L.C. Significance Capital Management LLC is an independent investment adviser that provides discretionary portfolio management to individuals and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs an Enhanced Alpha Strategy that combines fundamental, quantitative, factor, and technical analysis to manage large-cap equity allocations, and also serves as a sub-adviser to the Significance Capital Enhanced Alpha ETF.

Theodore Augustyniak is a financial advisor with Creative Resources Investment Advisors LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 19 years of industry experience. He has been associated with Creative Resources Investment Advisors since 2015 and is also involved with Advance Legend Funding and Augustyniak Insurance Agency, where he works as an insurance agent offering various insurance products. Creative Resources Investment Advisors primarily serves individual and high-income clients, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, and other entities. The firm employs a long-term, value-oriented investment approach with a blend of strategic and tactical asset allocation, utilizing equities, mutual funds, bonds, and alternative instruments tailored to client needs.

Jeremiah Boynton is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with 23 years of industry experience, currently serving at Laureate Wealth Management, LLC since 2014. He holds securities licenses Series 63 and Series 66. Outside of his advisory role, Mr. Boynton is the majority owner of Laureate Capital Management, LLC and Laureate Capital Real Estate Investments, LLC, which manage various private equity, hedge fund, and real estate projects. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Still Austin, a bourbon distillery in Austin, Texas. Laureate Wealth Management provides investment advisory, portfolio management, financial planning, estate planning, and family office coordination for individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, retirement plans, corporations, and other entities. The firm employs a strategic asset allocation process that includes individual securities, mutual funds, ETFs, separate account managers, and alternative investments, and is notable for its involvement with pooled investment vehicles and affiliated fund activities.

Michael Jankowski is a financial advisor with Parkview Asset Management, Inc. in Oakbrook Terrace, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 33 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Parkview in 2020, he spent 12 years at LaSalle St. Investment Advisors, LLC and LaSalle St. Securities, LLC. He is also president of Wealth Planning Network LLC, which focuses on fixed insurance products and serves as trustee for related benefit plans. Parkview Asset Management is a two-advisor firm managing approximately $206 million for around 140 clients, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, and retirement plans. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning, using a primarily long-term, client-specific investment approach with low-cost diversified mutual funds, ETFs, and individual securities when appropriate.