John Lafferty Jr. is a financial advisor at William Blair with 19 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 65 credential and previously worked at Segall Bryant & Hamill for 19 years and Corient Services LLC. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division offers investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension, and corporate clients. The firm employs active, research-driven management across multiple asset classes and provides proprietary models and private investment opportunities.

Jennifer Casey is a CFP® professional with seven years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Creative Planning since 2018. Prior to joining Creative Planning, she worked at CCP Financial Planning Services from 2014 to 2018. She is a member of the board of directors and Outreach Chair at GiGi's Playhouse, a nonprofit that offers educational and therapeutic programs for individuals with Down Syndrome and their families. Creative Planning provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, foundations, trusts, and retirement plans. The firm employs a financial planning–led investment process centered on low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies, supplemented by tax-efficient and fundamental equity approaches, supported by a large advisory team and integrated investment infrastructure.

Bilal Hamideh is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. He has two years of industry experience and has held roles at several affiliated entities including Bankers Life Securities, Inc. and Bankers Life & Casualty, Inc. Outside of advisory work, he manages a sales team and is involved in training and supervising agents in insurance products. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. serves mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals through discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management along with retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to tailor asset allocations and portfolio management consistent with clients’ goals and risk tolerances.

William Parrilli is a financial advisor with Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. in Wheaton, Illinois, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and possessing 44 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. and Wells Fargo Clearing. Parrilli serves as a board member of the Northern Illinois Shooters Association, where he organizes matches and oversees scoring. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an integrated broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm offers a range of services including advisory programs, financial planning, investment management, and brokerage services, utilizing proprietary and third-party strategies across equity and fixed income portfolios.

David Lewitas is a financial advisor with United Planners Financial Services of America, holding Series 65 and Series 63 credentials and bringing 22 years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at United Planners Financial Services since 2020, Cutrera Financial since 2018, and ProEquities Inc from 2017 to 2020. United Planners Financial Services is a national wealth-management enterprise serving a diverse client base including individual investors, retirement plans, corporations, and trusts. The firm delivers advisory services through independent representatives and utilizes a variety of custodians and third-party managers, with a notable emphasis on non-discretionary account management.

Cara Ryadi is a CFP® with 15 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at William Blair since 2017. She holds the Series 66 designation and is based in River Forest, IL. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division provides investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension plans, and corporate clients, utilizing active, research-driven strategies across multiple asset classes.

Bryan Ball is a financial advisor with Lincoln Investment in Lombard, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 16 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Agia and Valic Financial Advisors. Outside of his advisory work, Bryan is involved with non-securities insurance products through an agent role at Agia. Lincoln Investment Planning, LLC is an enterprise investment advisory and broker-dealer serving a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth investors, trusts, charities, and retirement plans. The firm offers financial planning, portfolio management, and access to third-party managers, supported by an in-house Investment Management & Research team that develops strategic and adaptive model portfolios.

Jacob See is a financial advisor at NewEdge Advisors with three years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at LPL Financial, Napa Auto Parts, North Central College, and Hampshire High School. Outside of advising, he provides tax preparation and accounting support through Midwest Small Business Accounting and Tax. NewEdge Advisors is an enterprise-scale registered investment adviser serving individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers comprehensive portfolio management, financial planning, retirement consulting, and access to third-party managers through multiple program structures supported by centralized due diligence and technology tools.

Michael Stedronsky is a financial advisor at William Blair in Chicago, holding a Series 66 designation with three years of industry experience. He has worked at William Blair since 2021 and has prior experience at firms including Allo Communications, Nelnet, and TD Ameritrade, as well as roles in other industries. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division offers investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension, and corporate clients. The firm employs active, research-driven strategies across asset classes and provides access to proprietary models, third-party sub-managers, and private investment opportunities.

Alexander Fernbach is a CFP® professional at Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. with three years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Schumann Financial, CETERA Financial Specialists LLC, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and J.P. Morgan Securities. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients through more than 500 advisors. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including managed solutions that utilize proprietary strategies and third-party models across equity and fixed income portfolios.

Anthony Cogan is a financial advisor at William Blair with 13 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with William Blair since 2013. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension plans, and corporate clients. The firm emphasizes active, research-driven management across multiple asset classes and provides proprietary model portfolios and access to private funds through its integrated platform.

Jesse Szlaga is a CFP® professional with 11 years of industry experience, currently advising at Mariner. Prior to joining Mariner, he worked at OFM Wealth and previously at Mariner Wealth Advisors. Mariner serves a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, retirement plans, trusts, and corporations, offering investment management, financial planning, and specialized services such as tax coordination and employer financial wellness programs. The firm utilizes discretionary, customized portfolios supported by an investment committee and combines in-house research with external managers and platforms.

Alexander Gracanin is a financial advisor at Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. with three years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at JPMorgan Chase Bank NA and JPMorgan Securities LLC. Outside of finance, he has experience in the restaurant industry, having worked with Avli Restaurant. Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc.’s Wealth Management division provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management and financial planning services to a range of clients including private individuals, pension plans, government entities, and charitable organizations. The firm employs both third-party managers and proprietary private investment products, applying quantitative and qualitative due diligence across various asset classes and specialized strategies.

Christopher Glass is a financial advisor at William Blair with 23 years of industry experience. He has been with William Blair & Co., L.L.C. since 2002 and holds the Series 66 designation. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division offers discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension, and corporate clients. The firm employs an active, research-driven approach across equities, fixed income, and alternative strategies, and provides proprietary models and access to private funds and co-investment opportunities.

Daniel Baer is a financial advisor at Citigroup Global Markets with 19 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with Citigroup since 2005. Citigroup Global Markets serves individual and institutional clients across various wealth segments, offering a wide range of investment advisory programs and execution services. The firm employs multi-asset, multi-manager strategies and operates with institutional scale, including in-house research, derivatives services, and bespoke solutions for large relationships.

Sandra Gentry is a financial advisor with Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. She holds a Series 65 designation and has five years of industry experience. She has worked at Bankers Life Advisory Services since 2020 and has been with Bankers Life & Casualty since 2014. In addition to her advisory role, she serves as a unit field trainer agent for Bankers Life and Casualty. Bankers Life Advisory Services, Inc. provides discretionary portfolio management, investment consulting, and retirement plan consulting primarily to mass-affluent and high-net-worth individuals. The firm focuses on customized asset allocation, periodic rebalancing, and a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis to guide investment decisions.

Richard Korengold is a financial advisor with Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has 38 years of industry experience, including 33 years at Mesirow Financial. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Governors for Lake County Partners, a nonprofit focused on business and economic development in Lake County, Illinois. Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc.’s Wealth Management division provides both discretionary and non-discretionary investment management and financial planning services to a range of clients including individuals, pension plans, government entities, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a structured investment process that includes policy statement preparation, asset allocation, and due diligence across various asset classes, offering access to proprietary private investment products as well as third-party managers.

Brian Vanderlugt is a CFP® professional with 19 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc. since 2010 and previously held positions at Wells Fargo Clearing and A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. During his career, he has been based in Wheaton, IL. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company is an integrated broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser with over 500 advisors, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers a range of services including wrap-fee advisory programs, financial planning, retirement and investment consulting, and insurance products, utilizing a mix of proprietary strategies and third-party models.

Michael Lawrence is a CFA® charterholder with five years of experience at Carson Wealth and its affiliated entities. Prior to joining Carson Wealth, he worked at Chicago Equity Partners for 23 years. CWM, LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $50.6 billion through a network of more than 650 advisors. The firm offers discretionary asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan services, utilizing an Investment Committee to oversee model portfolios and providing tailored solutions including custom indexing and access to alternative investments.

Matthew Mirabella is a financial advisor at AE Wealth Management, LLC in Chicago, IL, holding a Series 66 designation with three years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Equitable Advisors LLC and independent contracting with Tax Smart, LLC and Scott Tucker Solutions, Inc. He has diverse work experience outside advisory services, including positions in retail and delivery. AE Wealth Management provides fee-based portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan consulting to a varied client base, including individuals, corporations, trusts, and ERISA plan sponsors. The firm utilizes discretionary model portfolios and combines fundamental, technical, and cyclical investment approaches to serve over 127,000 clients through a platform-focused advisory model.