Thomas Mckeown is a CFP® and CFA® with 10 years of industry experience. He has worked at Cresset Asset Management, LLC since 2021 and previously spent six years at Fidelity Investments. Based in Chicago, IL, he holds the Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. Cresset Asset Management, LLC is an SEC-registered adviser managing approximately $71.9 billion in client assets across a diverse range of clients. The firm employs a diversified, asset-allocation-driven approach that combines active and passive strategies, supported by a structured due-diligence program and private fund management.

William Ryan is a financial advisor at William Blair with 31 years of industry experience. He has held positions at William Blair since 2018 and previously worked at J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. for 17 years. Ryan serves as a director of PACTT, a nonprofit organization focused on helping children and adults with autism. 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 emphasizes active, research-driven management across multiple asset classes and provides proprietary investment models, access to private funds, and co-investment opportunities.

Ralph Segall is a financial advisor at William Blair with 31 years of industry experience. He holds the CIC, Series 65, and Series 63 credentials. Prior to joining William Blair, Segall worked at Segall Bryant & Hamill for over three decades and had roles at Corient and Corient Services LLC. 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 active, research-driven management across multiple asset classes and provides proprietary models and access to private funds and co-investment opportunities.

Kieran Casey is a financial advisor with Principal Financial Services based in Chicago, IL. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 18 years of industry experience. Prior to his current role at Principal Securities and Principal Life Insurance Co., he worked at Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC. Casey also serves as a bank/trust officer at Principal Bank and Principal Trust Co., supporting retirement plan account relationships across multiple business lines. Principal Securities provides brokerage and registered investment advisory services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plans, trusts, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, retirement consulting, and access to third-party money manager solutions with discretionary investment implementation.

John Cultra is a financial advisor at William Blair with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at EPIC Systems and Jaco Management, Inc. Outside of finance, he has been involved with the La Grange Country Club for several years. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division provides 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 offers proprietary models and access to private funds through its MB Investments Program.

Joseph Hoffman is a CFA® charterholder with 28 years of industry experience. He has worked at Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc. since 2017 and previously spent 20 years with Russell Investment Group. Hoffman serves as an at-large trustee on the board of the Seattle City Employees' Retirement System. Mesirow Financial Investment Management, Inc.’s Wealth Management division provides investment management and financial planning services to private individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, government entities, and institutional clients. The firm employs both proprietary and third-party investment strategies across multiple asset classes and manages affiliated private investment funds.

Benjamin Mc Fadden is a financial advisor at William Blair with six years of industry experience. He holds Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and has worked at William Blair since 2019. His prior roles include positions at Cowen and Company, Water Walker Investments, and multiple engagements with Johns Hopkins University. 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 an active, research-driven approach across equities, fixed income, and alternative strategies, providing proprietary models and access to private funds and co-investment opportunities.

Emmett Omalley is a financial advisor at William Blair with six years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been with William Blair since 2019. Prior to joining the firm, he worked at Indiana University and Park Ridge Country Club. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division provides investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension, and corporate clients. The firm employs active, research-driven strategies across multiple asset classes and offers proprietary models and access to private funds and co-investment opportunities.

Ethan Speelman is a financial advisor with FIFTH THIRD SECURITIES, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and two years of industry experience. He has been with Fifth Third Securities since 2023 and has prior experience at Fifth Third Bank, Hope College, and Calvary Schools. Fifth Third Securities provides brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, charitable organizations, corporate clients, and institutional investors through its Passageway Managed Account Program. The firm offers multiple discretionary managed-account options combining third-party portfolio managers and advisor-managed strategies, and it is notable for its municipal-advisor registration and affiliation with Fifth Third Bank.

William Parker is a financial advisor at CIBC Private Wealth Advisors, Inc. with seven years of industry experience. He previously worked at Fiducient Advisors LLC for 12 years before joining CIBC Private Wealth Advisors in 2024. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. CIBC Private Wealth Advisors offers investment and wealth advisory services to a diverse client base, including high net worth individuals, families, trusts, employee benefit plans, corporations, and investment companies. The firm employs a collaborative investment process featuring internal teams and committees to create customized portfolios using both proprietary and external strategies, distinguishing itself through its scale and involvement with investment company clientele.

Ruth Uress is a CFP® professional with 16 years of industry experience, currently serving at NorthCoast Asset Management LLC. Her prior roles include positions at Focus Partners Wealth, Kovitz Investment Group Partners, Relative Value Partners, and Brownson, Rehmus & Foxworth. NorthCoast Asset Management provides investment advisory services to a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a quantitative and systematic investment approach with proprietary models and risk management techniques, managing most client relationships on a discretionary basis.

James Escobar is a CFP® professional with 13 years of industry experience, currently serving at Corient in Chicago, IL. His prior roles include positions at J.P. Morgan Securities, JPMorgan Chase Bank, CNA, United Airlines, and Geneva Advisors at CIBC World Markets Corporation. Corient provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm utilizes a goals-based, team investment approach with a combination of in-house strategies, third-party managers, and risk management tools, and offers specialized capabilities through affiliated private funds and trust services.

G. Nolan is a financial advisor with Equity Services, Inc. in Chicago, IL, holding the ChFC® and Series 63 designations. He has 42 years of industry experience and has been with Equity Services and National Life Insurance Co. since 1984. Nolan is also an insurance agent active in selling life, disability, and health insurance through Lakeshore Financial Group and as an independent contractor under his own name. Additionally, he has served as a board member and officer for the Chicago Metro Chapter of the Illinois CPA Society. Equity Services, Inc., operating as ESI Financial Advisors, provides financial planning, consulting, and asset management services to a wide range of clients including individuals, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm combines long-term investment strategies with multiple advisory platforms and employs both discretionary and non-discretionary management approaches.

Amy Cramer is a financial advisor at Corient in Chicago, IL, with six years of industry experience. She holds Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and has been with Corient and its affiliated entities since 2016. Corient provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm employs a goals-based, team investment approach that integrates in-house strategies with third-party managers and uses risk management tools and stress testing to align portfolios with client objectives.

Cole Douglas is a financial advisor at Corient based in Chicago, IL, holding a Series 65 designation with four years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Mercer, Balasa Dinverno Foltz LLC, and David Vaughan Investments. Corient provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a wide range of clients, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, pension plans, and corporate entities. The firm employs a goals-based, team investment approach that integrates in-house strategies with third-party managers and incorporates risk management tools and alternative investments where appropriate.

Lance Sherry is a CFP® with four years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Focus Partners Wealth, LLC. His prior roles include positions at Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC, Fifth Third Private Bank, and Bank of America Private Bank. Focus Partners Wealth, LLC provides wealth advisory and investment management services to a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth families, family offices, and institutions. The firm employs a long-term investment approach that emphasizes tax- and fee-sensitivity within an enhanced open architecture framework, combining active and passive strategies alongside specialized offerings such as an Options Income Overlay and a trend-following sleeve.

Jesus Perez is a financial advisor at Citigroup Global Markets in Chicago, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with 13 years of industry experience. He has worked at CITI Private Advisory, LLC and Citigroup Global Markets since 2021, following positions at Northern Trust Bank and Northern Trust Securities from 2018 to 2021, and JP Morgan Securities LLC and JP Morgan Chase Bank between 2012 and 2018. Citigroup Global Markets serves individual and institutional clients across various wealth segments, offering a broad range of investment advisory programs and broker-dealer services. The firm employs multi-asset, multi-manager strategies through discretionary and non-discretionary programs, supported by internal standards and oversight committees, and combines large institutional scale with unique market roles and commercial arrangements.

Robert Malek is a financial advisor with PlanMember Securities Corporation in Chicago, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having 42 years of industry experience. His prior firms include Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and Prosperity Wealth Advisors, and he has operated Malek Wealth Advisors since 2007. Outside of his advisory roles, he is president of Priority Retirement Solutions, Inc., a banking and tax entity servicing financial advisors. PlanMember Securities Corporation provides retirement-plan advisory services to employers and plan participants, acting as an ERISA Section 3(38) fiduciary for many plans. The firm’s investment process emphasizes strategic asset allocation and risk-based mutual fund portfolios, complemented by education and support services for plan sponsors and participants.

Brett Thelander is a financial advisor at Rockefeller Financial LLC with 32 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at Merrill since 1994. Rockefeller Financial LLC serves high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, family offices, institutional clients, retirement plans, foundations, and corporations. The firm operates a Private Advisor model and a consolidated investment platform, offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, consulting, and broker-dealer services including securities transactions, variable insurance products, and investment banking.

Stephen Oostema is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Chicago, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 21 years of industry experience. He has been with Valic Financial Advisors since 2005 and also serves as an agent at Agia, focusing on non-securities insurance products. 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, managing approximately $26.4 billion in discretionary assets through a network of over 1,200 advisors.