Richard Desmedt is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Arlington Heights, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 40 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors and its predecessor AXA Advisors since 1999. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with an outside insurance brokerage and serves as trustee and successor trustee of trusts established in 2023. Equitable Advisors serves individual clients across wealth levels, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutional clients. The firm offers financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and various asset management programs, utilizing both proprietary offerings and third-party asset managers.

Elizabeth Miller is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 28 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated since 1998 and Bank of America since 2009. Miller serves as the incoming President of the Jewish Federation of Peoria, a volunteer leadership role on the nonprofit’s board. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Claire Llewellyn is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Barrington, IL, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2025, she worked at The Rathskeller and FANUC America Corporation. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer providing a broad range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, including customized financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and methodologies.

Agata Kowalyk is a financial advisor at Primerica Advisors with 34 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Primerica Advisors since 1992. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved in referral activities for home security and automation products through co-located affiliates of Primerica. Primerica Advisors sponsors a wrap-fee asset management program serving primarily individual investors, including high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and charitable clients. The firm employs a model-delivery approach managed by third-party asset managers and supports a range of investment strategies including recently added cryptocurrency ETF models.

Mark Stack is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding a Series 66 designation and six years of industry experience. He has worked at firms including Avantax Investment Services and 1st Global Advisors, and provides tax consulting and compliance services as a tax manager at Lumsden & McCormick LLP. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a variety of portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform with access to both affiliated and third-party investment managers.

Alex Hickman is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and six years of industry experience. His background includes roles at Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Trader Joe's, and Subway. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, and endowments, focusing on non-discretionary asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm employs a centralized due diligence process supported by quantitative and qualitative research, with capabilities that include derivatives and commodities advisory.

Michael Burdick is a CFP® professional with 30 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Ameriprise in Elk Grove Village, IL. He previously spent 30 years with Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service targeted at individuals nearing or in retirement with significant investable assets, delivering tailored, research-based recommendations through a centralized consulting team. The firm provides a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions typical of a large institutional firm.

Jim Ostach is a financial advisor at LPL Financial in Northbrook, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials with 53 years of industry experience. He worked at Raymond James Financial and Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. from 2001 to 2021 before joining LPL Financial in 2021. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supporting a broad range of strategic and tactical investment approaches.

Patrick Spiedel is a Financial Consultant currently working at Fidelity Investments since 2023. He brings a decade of experience in financial services to his role, having held positions as an Investment Consultant at Fidelity Investments from 2022 to 2023, a Private Client Banker at JPMorgan Chase, N.A. from 2018 to 2022, and a Relationship Banker at JPMorgan Chase, N.A. from 2015 to 2018. His professional focus is on understanding clients' unique financial situations and partnering with them to build and implement comprehensive financial plans. Throughout his career, Patrick has worked closely with clients to provide ongoing support as their life circumstances and financial goals evolve. He relies on a breadth of knowledge accumulated over ten years to assist clients in their financial journeys. Outside of his professional work, Patrick has interests in fitness, gardening, parenthood, reading, running, and volunteering.

Indra Josephs is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 17 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2016. Josephs serves on the board and finance committee of the School District 95 Educational Foundation in Lake Zurich, Illinois. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offers a range of advisory programs and financial planning services to individuals and institutional clients, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. The firm’s planning process uses structured discovery and approved tools but does not provide individual security recommendations as part of standalone plans.

Steve Lusietto is a financial advisor with Fidelity in Evanston, IL, holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and five years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Fidelity Investments, Robinhood, TD Ameritrade, and State Farm Insurance. He is affiliated with Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company that provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients. The firm uses proprietary fundamental research combined with quantitative analysis and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage portfolios and serves multiple registered investment companies, including roles involving model portfolio delivery and formal advisory services.

Trevor Hart is a Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in the Schaumburg, Illinois office. He has been serving the needs of high-net worth clients since 1993, primarily working with individuals, business owners, and corporate executives. Mr. Hart offers a range of services including retirement and wealth transfer forecasting, asset allocation and investment style analysis, asset and discretionary portfolio management, as well as cash management, banking services, and lending through Bank of America, NA. He uses a defined process to integrate clients' circumstances into tailored financial strategies and meets regularly with clients to ensure alignment with their personal situations. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. and a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Bradley University, where he also lettered in varsity basketball. Trevor resides in Barrington, Illinois, with his wife and three children.

Nathan Stevens is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Barrington, IL, holding a Series 66 credential and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2024, he worked at BCH Wealth Management in 2022 and was affiliated with the University of Kentucky and Sport Court Midwest from 2020 to 2023. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer offering a range of advisory programs to individuals and institutions, including tailored financial planning supported by structured discovery and firm-approved tools. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and provides planning services that utilize the Global Investment Committee’s return estimates and Monte Carlo simulations.

Joshua Ezzo is Vice President and Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2022. He has been with Fidelity Investments since 2012, progressing through roles including Financial Consultant, Investment Consultant, Relationship Manager, Financial Representative, and Retirement Brokerage Services. Throughout his career at Fidelity, Joshua has worked closely with clients to develop wealth strategies aimed at benefiting them and their families now and in the future. He holds a California Insurance License, supporting his expertise in financial and insurance matters.

Jason Swedo is a financial advisor at Cetera with 25 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at Cetera and Cetera Wealth Services since 2021. He also serves as an account director and relationship manager at J.D. Power. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual investors, employer-sponsored retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a broad range of portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform with access to both affiliated and third-party managers.

Ted Nelson is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Evanston, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and having 22 years of industry experience. He has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and has worked at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 2003. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients through a program focused on written asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm's advisory process combines quantitative and qualitative research with forward-looking capital market assumptions and incorporates an ESG eligibility framework.

Chaicharn Dhepyasuwan is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Wilmette, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and bringing 24 years of industry experience. She has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2006 and with JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA. since 2005. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients through a non-discretionary program focused on written asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm’s advisory process integrates quantitative and qualitative due diligence, incorporating an ESG eligibility framework and leveraging broader derivatives and commodities capabilities.

W Grigg is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Elgin, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliates since 2009. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services primarily for individuals nearing or in retirement with significant investable assets, offering customized written Recommendation Reports that cover income sources, Social Security options, and tax-efficient withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax analysis to support its advice and emphasizes the use of Ameriprise-managed accounts within its investment approach.

Joshua Noparstak is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Deerfield, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Equitrust Financial Group and Securities America Inc. Noparstak also operates Northstar Legacy Planning, a business affiliated with his LPL practice. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm provides a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning and access to model portfolios and third-party asset managers, supported by extensive operational and research tools.

Barry Skolak is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with 11 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and has worked at Charles Schwab and Charles Schwab Bank since 2018, following an 11-year tenure at BMO Harris N.A. Outside of his advisory role, he manages a family-owned three-unit residential property in Chicago. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and affiliated managed-account and financial planning services. The firm combines non-discretionary advisory relationships with access to affiliated discretionary separately managed accounts, utilizing multi-asset model portfolios and a centralized operational structure.