Syed Ahmed is a financial advisor at Cetera with eight years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Wells Fargo, HSBC Securities, and Citizens Securities. Outside of his advisory role, he assists with a family business selling handmade artwork through Etsy and is a Notary Public. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC distributes its services through a large nationwide network of independent advisors, serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and retirement services with access to multiple investment platforms and third-party managers.

Eric Ahn is a financial advisor at Fidelity with 12 years of industry experience. He has worked at Fidelity Investments since 2023 and was previously employed at T. Rowe Price from 2013 to 2019. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including fund advisory and model portfolio delivery. The firm uses a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction, and serves as an adviser to multiple registered investment companies.

Agustin Martinez is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in McLean, VA, holding Series 66 and Series 63 credentials and three years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Novus Investments LLC and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance. Martinez is also involved with Alpha Food Group LLC and MPG LLC. J.P. Morgan Securities primarily serves institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, providing investment consulting and advisory services focused on asset allocation, manager selection, and customized reporting through its Institutional Consulting Services program.

Tong Wu is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, Tong focuses on connecting all aspects of clients' financial lives to help prioritize and pursue the goals that matter most to them. Tong provides clients access to a full range of investment and wealth management strategies, supported by the resources of Merrill and the banking services of Bank of America. Tong's expertise includes areas such as college education planning, equity compensation services, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, LGBT wealth planning, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, small business strategies, and tax minimization. Tong approaches wealth management by gaining a deep understanding of each client's full financial picture and creating flexible strategies that adapt to changing market conditions. Tong holds a Bachelor's Degree from Fudan University and a Master's Degree from DePaul University. Professional designations include Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Tong is fluent in Mandarin, English, Chinese, and Spanish and is involved with the Asian American Chamber of Commerce, Capital Area Food Bank, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and The National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture.

Mary Marshall is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Reston, VA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 32 years of industry experience. She has been with Thrivent Investment Management and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans since 2002. Outside of her advisory role, she works part-time as a visitation greeter at Adams-Green Funeral Home. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, delivering holistic, goal-based analyses and planning on a range of topics without discretionary trading authority. The firm offers integrated planning and managed-account services while maintaining them as separate engagements.

Mervyn Laihow is a financial advisor at LPL Enterprise with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Equitable Advisors LLC, and Bull Run Financial Group. Outside of his advisory roles, he has held positions in the restaurant industry. LPL Enterprise serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services supported by a platform that integrates investment advisory programs with other financial products and lending solutions.

Diana Slopow is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with Series 65 and Series 63 designations and four years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at RBC Capital Markets, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, and Target Corporation. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients across a broad range of accounts, including pension plans, corporate clients, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a variety of advisory strategies, tax-efficient services, and affiliated investment options, supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Michael Powers is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with six years of industry experience. He previously operated MP Financial Planning for four years before joining Ameriprise in 2021. Outside of his advisory role, he is an Associate Financial Advisor at CME Advancing Partners, LLC, where he assists in preparing financial planning documents and client meeting materials. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a specialized Premier Retirement Income service focused on retirement income planning, tax-aware withdrawal strategies, and asset allocation. The firm’s approach includes collaboration between a centralized service team and client advisors, employing proprietary research and third-party data within a defined investment framework.

Michael Long serves as the Resident Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He joined Merrill Lynch in 2008 after six years at Smith Barney. In his role, he works closely with individuals and businesses to define and achieve their financial goals, providing personalized recommendations in areas such as retirement income planning, trust and estate planning, business transition planning, and wealth preservation strategies. Michael emphasizes a hands-on approach to ensure clients' financial strategies are effectively implemented and their needs are consistently addressed. Michael holds a Bachelor's Degree from Shippensburg University and maintains several professional designations, including Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Benefits Consultant (RBC). His career focuses on developing and implementing comprehensive wealth management strategies that support clients through every stage of their financial life cycle. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Michael is involved with the Big Fish Foundation and engages in personal interests such as adventure sports, football, hiking, running, and spending time with his family.

Alexandra Paxton is a financial advisor with Merrill in Vienna, VA, holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and five years of industry experience. She has worked at Bank of America N.A., Merrill, MML Investors Services, First Financial Group, MassMutual Life Insurance Co, and McAdam Financial LLC. Outside of her advisory career, she has worked as a consultant and independent contractor for mrbeastyoutube, LLC, participating in entertainment-related challenges. 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, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Zohra Ghafoor is a Planning Consultant who works closely with clients to understand their financial goals and needs, helping to tailor financial plans accordingly. She has experience in managing client relationships and providing financial services through her previous roles at Fidelity Investments. From 2023 to 2024, she served as a Financial Representative, followed by her position as a Relationship Manager from 2024 to 2026. Zohra holds a California Insurance License, supporting her expertise in financial planning and insurance-related matters.

Mark Leonard is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 27 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has been with Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a wide range of advisory programs including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes structured discovery conversations and advanced planning tools to develop financial plans.

Timothy Goode is a CFP® professional with 21 years of experience in the financial advisory industry. He currently serves at Edelman Financial Engines, where he has worked since 2024, following prior roles within affiliated firms including Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. and Edelman Financial Services. Edelman Financial Engines provides technology-driven investment advisory and financial planning services to individual investors, retirement-plan participants, and institutional clients. The firm employs a committee-driven modeling process combined with planner delivery and online tools, offering diversified portfolios with a long-term focus and managing approximately $326 billion in assets.

Jennifer Chomicki is a CFP® with 18 years of experience in the financial advisory industry. She is currently with Edelman Financial Engines and has previously worked at Towers Crescent Financial and LPL Financial. Edelman Financial Engines provides technology-enabled investment advisory services for workplace retirement accounts, IRAs, taxable accounts, and institutional clients. The firm manages both model-based and customized portfolios and serves a large client base through advisor-led and online platforms.

Rose Price is a CFP® professional with 25 years of industry experience, currently serving at Cetera since 2023. She has previously worked at VLP Financial Advisors and Cetera Wealth Services, LLC. Outside of her advisory role, she owns VLP Financial Advisors, offering a range of financial services, and acts as an OSJ for Paragon Wealth Management, recruiting new representatives to the Cetera advisor network. Additionally, she fulfills various family fiduciary roles, including executor and trustee. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser that serves individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with diverse portfolio management options, combining discretionary and non-discretionary services and access to both affiliated and third-party investment managers.

Elizabeth Sullivan is a financial advisor at Cetera with 37 years of industry experience. She holds the CFP®, Series 63, and Series 65 designations. Her career includes over two decades running Elizabeth Sullivan Financial, alongside roles at Cetera Advisors LLC since 2013. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a wide range of clients including individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional accounts. The firm offers various portfolio management and financial planning services through a large network of independent advisors and employs a multi-manager platform with diverse program options.

Leanne Hanson is a financial advisor at Fidelity with a Series 66 credential and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Fidelity, she held roles in educational and musical organizations, including founding Leanne R. Hanson Music, LLC. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC offers investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, employing a process that integrates fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction across mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.

Corey Coleman is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Fairfax, VA, holding a Series 66 credential. He has prior experience at Wells Fargo from 2019 to 2025 and has worked with Top Caliber Lacrosse and in education-related roles. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a specialized Premier Retirement Income service that provides clients with tailored, written retirement-income planning advice based on in-depth analysis and ongoing annual reviews.

Tommy Fay is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2025. He began his tenure at Fidelity in 2023, serving as an Investment Consultant and Planning Consultant before his current role. Prior to joining Fidelity, Tommy worked as a Financial Advisor at Ameriprise from 2018 to 2022 and gained earlier experience at Edelman Financial Services and Prudential Insurance Company. Throughout his career, Tommy has collaborated with clients and their families to develop personalized financial plans and assist them in pursuing their financial goals. His professional experience spans various roles focused on financial advising, investment consulting, and client services. Outside of his professional work, Tommy enjoys cooking and baking, hiking, photography, running, playing soccer, and traveling.

Edward Berenato is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior work includes positions at Atlantic Coast Mortgage and Household Title & Escrow. He has also spent time in full-time education and at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves a large client base, 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 offers a mix of non-discretionary and discretionary investment advisory services supported by a multi-asset model portfolio approach and centralized operational resources.