Christopher Russo is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He focuses on developing personalized financial strategies that address clients' individual goals and adapt to evolving market conditions. Christopher offers expertise in areas including college education planning, legacy planning, liquidity management, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, socially responsible and ESG investing, tax minimization, and retirement income. Christopher holds a Bachelor's Degree from DePaul University and maintains the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He is engaged in community volunteer activities, reflecting Merrill’s tradition of local involvement. Outside of his professional work, Christopher has interests in baseball, basketball, chess, football, music, softball, and traveling.

Andrew Callicutt is a Series 66-registered financial advisor with 11 years of industry experience. He is currently with Cetera, having joined in 2023 and working across multiple affiliated entities within the firm. Prior to Cetera, he was with J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC for nine years. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and consulting services through a large network of independent advisors, utilizing a multi-manager platform with various program options and custodial arrangements.

John Bassmaji is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he has worked since 2020. He serves as a primary point of contact for clients, developing financial plans and consulting on holistic wealth management strategies. His approach focuses on understanding what is important to his clients and their families to help them feel confident with every aspect of their financial picture. Prior to his current role, John held several positions at Fidelity Investments, including Investment Consultant (2019-2020), Relationship Manager (2017-2019), and Financial Representative (2016-2017). Before joining Fidelity, he worked as a Relationship Banker at JP Morgan Chase Bank from 2011 to 2016. Outside of his professional work, John enjoys biking, football, golf, traveling, and exploring food.

Thaddeus Kon is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with two years of industry experience. He holds Series 66 and Series 63 credentials. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he worked at JPMorgan Chase, Guaranteed Rate, St Patrick High School, and Key Mortgage Services. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs and affiliated investment options, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management.

Joan Winter is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Barrington, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 31 years of industry experience. She has worked with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2009. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved in photography through her proprietorship, PhotoJJenic, and as a partner in Julie Gockman Photography. 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. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs structured planning tools and analyses developed by its Global Investment Committee.

Celeste Bailey is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Barrington, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 14 years of industry experience. She has been with Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2015. Outside of her financial career, she works as a freelance soccer referee and is involved in teaching and mentoring through the Illinois Soccer Referee Committee. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients with a variety of advisory programs. The firm’s financial planning approach uses structured discovery conversations and firm-approved tools to develop tailored plans, serving approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Kamaljit Kalia is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Palatine, IL, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Financial, Kalia worked at BMO Harris Bank for a total of 11 years across two periods. 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 brokerage services with both discretionary and non-discretionary management options.

Andrew Messerschmidt is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Barrington, IL. He holds a Series 66 designation and has one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Thrivent, he was employed at Valparaiso University and Barrington High School. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, focusing on a broad range of planning topics without portfolio management for institutional clients. The firm emphasizes holistic, goal-based analyses and offers a consolidated billing option combining planning and managed-account services while maintaining them as separate offerings.

Sergio Pedroza is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he focuses on managing new wealth, portfolio management services, and small business strategies. As a Merrill Financial Solutions Advisor, Sergio works closely with clients to understand their priorities and develop strategies to pursue their short-, mid-, and long-term financial goals. He provides resources for investing, retirement planning, unexpected savings, and access to Bank of America specialists for banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. Sergio holds a Bachelor's Degree from Northern Illinois University and has earned professional designations including Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He is a bilingual fiduciary advisor fluent in English and Spanish, committed to offering ongoing advice and guidance as clients' needs evolve. Outside of his professional work, Sergio has personal interests in chess, soccer, and traveling. He emphasizes a client-centered approach, stating that he helps clients uncover what matters to them and their families to create financial strategies aligned with their goals.

Jacob Lewandowski is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at BMO Harris Bank, Packback Inc., and several educational institutions. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, and charitable organizations through a nationwide network. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management approaches alongside research from internal and third-party sources.

Christopher Cagadas is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Glen Ellyn, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 22 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2005. Outside of his advisory role, he co-owns PMM Partners Inc, a business managing practice operations, and serves on the board of the Ascension Illinois Foundation. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service targeting individuals with significant investable assets, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver tailored income strategies. The firm provides a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through its affiliated companies.

Tamara Fuhrman is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Rolling Meadows, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 24 years of industry experience. She has worked with PFS Investments Inc. and Primerica Financial Services since the early 2000s. Outside of financial advising, she has served as a cantor for United Lutheran Church since 2016. Primerica Advisors manages a wrap-fee asset management program primarily for individual investors, including both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and charitable clients. The firm uses model-delivery strategies developed by unaffiliated asset managers and offers a limited number of discretionary separately managed account options.

Philip Neznanov is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding a Series 66 designation and 21 years of industry experience. He has worked at J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, he has been involved with the Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Christian Alumni Association. 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 through a select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities.

Jacob Hernandez is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Wheaton, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with nine years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at LPL Financial, CUNA Mutual Group, BMO Harris Financial Advisors, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, and JPMorgan Securities. Edward Jones is a wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including high-net-worth households and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Aonan Wang is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with CFP® certification, Series 65, and Series 63 licenses. He has experience in the banking sector, having worked at BMO Bank since 2026 and previously at Royal Bank of Canada and HSBC Bank in Canada. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a nationwide network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and financial planning services, utilizing research, model portfolios, and various management strategies.

Paul Pavelski is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Barrington, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 36 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Landolt Securities, Inc. from 2005 to 2024 before joining Morgan Stanley’s Private Bank and Smith Barney divisions. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory and financial planning services supported by firm-approved tools and research, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Kolleen Zbilski is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Barrington, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. She has been with Morgan Stanley since 2014. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes structured planning tools and modeling techniques in its financial planning process.

Marcin Kapral is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Bloomingdale, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and 16 years of industry experience. He has worked with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2013. Kapral serves on the boards of the Bloomingdale School District 13 Board of Education and the North DuPage Special Education Cooperative Governing Board. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services tailored to individuals approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to offer non-discretionary, written recommendations, supported by a centralized consulting team and a range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions.

Brooke Gaylord is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Elgin, IL, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. Brooke’s prior experience includes roles at Forvis Mazars, DRW Holdings, Kirkland & Ellis, and a previous tenure at Edward Jones. Outside of finance, Brooke has worked in the salon industry. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a broad range of advisory and investment solutions, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds. The firm operates under a fiduciary standard and supports over 23,000 financial advisors nationwide.

Christine Potterton is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Wheaton, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and having 26 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Commonwealth Financial Network, INVEST Financial, and Riverstone Wealth Partners. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors through its Institutional Consulting Services program, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applying an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations.