Christopher Brooks is a financial advisor with Independent Financial Partners who holds a Series 66 designation and has 23 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Independent Financial Partners in 2022, he worked at Waddell & Reed Inc for nine years and has been self-employed for 15 years. Outside of advising, he is the owner of an investment property in Overland Park, KS. Independent Financial Partners offers investment advisory, financial planning, trust, and retirement-plan services through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm supports a multi-advisor platform and is notable for its retirement-plan advisory and pension consulting capabilities, including ERISA 3(21) and 3(38) services, as well as its partnerships for directed trustee services.

Samuel Scott is a CFP® professional with 24 years of experience in the financial advisory industry. He has worked at Creative Planning since 2020 and previously spent 18 years at Sunrise Advisors. He is based in Overland Park, KS, and holds a Series 65 license. Creative Planning is an enterprise firm managing approximately $217 billion in client assets, serving individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm employs a financial planning–led investment process emphasizing low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies, supplemented by advanced techniques such as direct indexing and tax-loss harvesting, and offers integrated retirement plan services supported by affiliated legal, trust, and recordkeeping businesses.

Zachary Tyson is a CFP® with eight years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Creative Planning. He previously worked at Gwfs Equities, Inc. and has been with Creative Planning since 2021. Creative Planning provides wealth management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services to a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, pension plans, and corporations. The firm employs a financial-planning-led investment approach emphasizing low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies for long-term goals, supplemented by tax-loss harvesting and selective private market exposure, managing approximately $295.6 billion in client assets.

Marisa Brown is a financial advisor at VOYA Financial Advisors, Inc. with 26 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has worked at VOYA Financial Advisors since 2014. Additionally, she is the owner and president of Diva Bead Company, a business specializing in designing and selling handmade bead jewelry since 2003. VOYA Financial Advisors, Inc. serves a diverse client base that includes individuals, institutions, retirement plan sponsors, and high-net-worth clients. The firm offers a range of services, including financial planning, portfolio management, and plan-sponsor consulting, delivering advice primarily through non-discretionary, recommendation-based programs.

Calista Randall is a financial advisor at Valic Financial Advisors with a Series 66 credential and three years of industry experience. Her work history includes roles at Agia and multiple positions in education and community organizations. Outside of her advisory role, she provides non-securities insurance products through Agia and offers pet sitting and walking services via the Rover app. Valic Financial Advisors primarily serves U.S.-domiciled individual investors, including high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and retirement-plan participants. The firm offers discretionary managed-account programs, financial planning, and brokerage services, utilizing Envestnet UMA models and various overlay options for portfolio management.

Nancy Thomsen is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with 14 years of industry experience. She has been with Creative Planning since 2016 and is based in Overland Park, KS. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm manages approximately $217 billion in assets and employs a financial planning–led investment process emphasizing low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies, supplemented by additional approaches such as direct indexing and tax-loss harvesting.

Leonard Lehmann is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group in Kansas City, MO, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 24 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at GWFS Equities, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Institutional Investments Inc. He also works as a freelance photographer for Park Hill High School. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as to Empower Premier IRA and certain retail brokerage account holders. The firm combines proprietary and third-party planning methodologies with an integrated platform tied to Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative services.

Darren Osbahr is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license with 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Creative Planning since 2013. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm manages approximately $217 billion in client assets and employs a financial planning-led investment process that emphasizes low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies, supplemented by specialized approaches such as direct indexing and tax-loss harvesting.

Zachary Disette is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network, holding a Series 66 designation and over nine years of industry experience. He has been with Commonwealth since 2016. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in fixed insurance sales. Commonwealth Financial Network is a dual-registered broker/dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,900 advisors and hundreds of thousands of clients. The firm offers a broad adviser-support platform including managed-account programs, access to third-party asset managers, and custody services.

Emily Watson is a financial advisor at Creative Planning with Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and four years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, BOK Financial, and Commerce Bank. Creative Planning provides wealth management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services to a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, institutions, and corporations. The firm employs a financial-planning-led investment approach that incorporates low-cost indexing, buy-and-hold strategies, tax-loss harvesting, and selective private market investments.

Linda Hall is a CFP® professional with 39 years of industry experience, currently serving at Valic Financial Advisors since 1987. She also holds licenses for Series 63 and Series 65. In addition to her advisory role, she is affiliated with Agia, where she is involved in non-securities insurance products. Valic Financial Advisors, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser and FINRA-member broker-dealer that primarily serves U.S. individuals, including high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients, along with employer-sponsored retirement participants. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and multiple wrap programs, utilizing discretionary unified managed accounts via Envestnet’s platform and third-party UMA model managers.

Kaley Carter is a Series 65 licensed advisor with Mariner, based in Overland Park, KS, and has three years of industry experience. She has held various advisory roles within Mariner Wealth Advisors since 2015. Mariner serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations through investment management, financial planning, and retirement consulting. The firm offers customized, discretionary portfolios supported by internal research and third-party managers, along with integrated tax services and financial wellness tools.

Joanna Cecilia Fleming is a CFP® with 24 years of industry experience. She is currently with Prime Capital Financial and has prior experience at Edelman Financial Engines, Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C., and Edelman Financial Advisors, LLC. Fleming is a member of CHHSZ Holdings, LLC, which owns Prime Capital Investment Advisors, LLC, and receives a share of the company's profits. Prime Capital Financial is an SEC-registered enterprise advisory firm serving individuals—including high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients—trusts, corporations, and retirement plans. The firm offers asset management, financial planning, retirement plan sponsor and trustee services, family office offerings, and employs a range of investment strategies including discretionary and non-discretionary management with tax-efficient solutions and affiliated tax advisory services.

Nicholas Zelie is a financial advisor at Creative Planning with seven years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at The Vanguard Group and Discovery Land Company. Zelie is the owner of EZF, LLC, an alternative investment vehicle based in Prairie Village, KS. Creative Planning provides wealth management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services to a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, institutions, and corporations. The firm employs a financial-planning-led investment approach that combines low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies with access to private market investments.

Jason Mcelwee is a financial advisor with Mariner Wealth Advisors, holding a Series 63 designation and 32 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Msec, LLC, Tortoise Securities, Tortoise Investment Partners, Montage Investments, and Montage Securities. He is based in Overland Park, Kansas. Mariner Wealth Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, trusts, and charitable organizations through investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm offers customized discretionary portfolios complemented by integrated tax, accounting, and family office services.

Derrick Williams is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license with eight years of experience in the financial services industry. He currently works at Creative Planning and has previously held roles at U.S. Bancorp Investments, Morgan Stanley, and other firms. His background also includes ownership and management experience with Jayhawk Cafe. Creative Planning provides wealth management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services to a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, pension plans, trusts, and corporations. The firm employs a financial-planning-led investment approach emphasizing low-cost indexing, buy-and-hold strategies, and selective private market exposure.

Martha Paterik is a financial advisor with Cetera Planning Partners, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. Her career includes roles at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments and Keen Wealth Advisors prior to joining Cetera Planning Partners in 2023. Cetera Planning Partners serves individual and high-net-worth clients, especially pre-retirees and retirees, offering investment management, comprehensive financial planning, Social Security optimization, and retirement-related advice. The firm provides additional services such as tax planning, bookkeeping, payroll support, and estate planning through a third-party provider, with an investment approach centered on diversified mutual fund and ETF allocations tailored to client objectives and risk tolerance.

Ai Shi is a financial advisor at Creative Planning with a Series 65 designation. Shi’s professional background includes roles at Shamrock Trading Corporation and in education at Blue Valley School District and Lincoln College Preparatory Academy. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm manages approximately $217 billion in assets and employs a financial planning-led investment process that incorporates low-cost indexing, buy-and-hold strategies, and supplemental approaches such as direct indexing and tax-loss harvesting.

Brook Deaver is a CFP® professional with 24 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network. He has been with Commonwealth since 2006 and also works with BD GWM, Inc. Outside of his advisory roles, he co-owns an entity that manages residential real estate in Barnett, Missouri. Commonwealth Financial Network serves a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors, providing a range of advisory programs and services including wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and access to third-party asset managers. The firm supports its advisors with operations, trading, technology, investment management, compliance, and practice-management resources.

Dereck Cochran is a financial advisor at Commonwealth Financial Network with four years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at several firms including Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company and Grant Capital. Outside of advising, he is involved in fixed insurance sales. Commonwealth Financial Network is a dual-registered broker/dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,900 affiliated advisors and managing around $213 billion in client assets. The firm provides a broad adviser-support platform that includes managed-account programs, access to third-party asset managers, and custody and clearing services.