Shawky Yoakim is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 15 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at firms including Mass Mutual Investors Services, Fifth Third Securities, and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides institutional consulting services to corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. As a subsidiary of J.P. Morgan, the firm combines institutional advisory operations with brokerage and investment management capabilities.

David Carter is a financial advisor at Merrill with 14 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations. Prior to joining Merrill in 2022, he worked at J.P. Morgan Securities and JP Morgan Chase Bank from 2011 to 2022. Merrill, along 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.

Kathleen Liggins is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Edward Jones in Buffalo Grove, IL, where she has six years of experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2007 in various roles. Outside of her advisory work, she serves as Treasurer for the Barrington Juniors Women’s Club and is a managing member of BK Legacy Holdings LLC, a consumer retail products business. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management. The firm offers a variety of advisory strategies, including both discretionary and non-discretionary options, and maintains a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Christopher Auer is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing extensive experience in wealth management and financial planning since beginning his career in 1998. He specializes in education planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, tax minimization, and retirement income. Christopher focuses on delivering a comprehensive approach tailored to each client’s individual needs by listening carefully and helping them make informed decisions to achieve their financial goals. He holds professional designations as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Christopher also completed an Accredited Certificate Program at Northern Illinois University. Outside of his professional role, he is involved with the Porsche Club of America and enjoys hiking, music, photography, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Spencer Hunzeker is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with the CFP® designation and a Series 66 license. He has 10 years of industry experience, all with Charles Schwab and Charles Schwab Bank. 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 offers a combination of non-discretionary and discretionary investment guidance, utilizing multi-asset model portfolios and a centralized operational structure.

John Lancaster III is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. He is a partner at Porte Brown LLC, where he provides tax preparation, planning, and consulting services to both individual and corporate clients. Lancaster also serves as the treasurer on the board of the Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce, participating in local business events and chamber activities. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a national SEC-registered firm serving a broad client base that includes individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and institutions. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with a range of portfolio management options, including model portfolios, third-party managers, and customized strategies, overseeing more than $256 billion in assets through over 10,000 advisors.

Gerardo Soriano is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and 22 years of industry experience. He previously worked at J.P. Morgan Securities, Chase Investment Services Corp., and Ameriprise. Soriano is also a licensed long-term care insurance agent. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions, offering a range of advisory and brokerage services through a large network of advisors.

Blade Varian is a financial advisor at Fisher Investments with nine years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Fisher Investments since 2013. Fisher Investments serves a global mix of institutional and private clients, providing discretionary portfolio management across equity, fixed-income, and blended mandates. The firm employs a centralized investment process that combines quantitative screening and qualitative research to construct diversified portfolios and offers sub-advisory and retirement plan services.

Jeffrey Hejza is a CFP®-designated financial advisor with 20 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with LPL Financial. His prior experience includes roles at Commonwealth Financial Network and Realty Associates Network, among others. He is also involved in mortgage banking through Partners in Mortgage. 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 a broad range of advisory and brokerage services supported by advanced research and technology tools.

Dejan Acimovic is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings over 15 years of experience in wealth management, sales, and finance, with a focus on helping clients achieve their financial goals through personalized strategies. Dejan holds the designations of Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and Sports & Entertainment Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (SE-AWMA). He earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from University Paris XII and is fluent in Serbo-Croatian, French, and English. Dejan emphasizes understanding each client’s full financial picture to develop flexible strategies that align with their long-term objectives. In addition to his professional work, he participates in community activities and volunteers with local organizations. Outside of work, Dejan enjoys basketball, reading, soccer, and traveling. His approach is centered on working closely with clients one-on-one to establish tailored financial plans that pursue their personal goals.

Pandit Singharuksa is a financial advisor at Merrill with Series 63 and Series 66 designations and two years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Bank of America and Interfirst Mortgage Company, as well as entrepreneurial experience with Singharuksa Company. Merrill provides managed account services primarily to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by internal and third-party management teams for a variety of client types.

Joseph Scott is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley in Barrington, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations with 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, he owns a rental property business in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutional clients with a variety of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning and estate strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and utilizes a structured planning process supplemented by firm-approved tools.

Vanessa Drolshagen is a financial advisor with Merrill in Northbrook, Illinois, holding a Series 66 designation and 2 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2015 and previously worked at Bank of America, N.A. Vanessa is a co-trustee of a family trust and owns a home remodeling business where she assists with administrative tasks. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations using model-based and discretionary investment strategies.

Mark Gallegos is a financial advisor at Cetera with three years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. He has worked at firms including Porte Brown Wealth Management and Avantax, and he is a partner at Porte Brown LLC, where he leads areas such as international tax, M&A tax, and tax credits and incentives. He also writes and speaks on tax topics. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a wide range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable entities, and institutional accounts. The firm offers diversified portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform that includes model portfolios, third-party managers, and bespoke strategies.

Michael Solesky is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial in Itasca, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 36 years of industry experience. He has been with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. since 2000 and with Raymond James Financial since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, he is an owner of Tistle, Solesky & Burgman Financial Services, where he is involved in non-variable insurance and related support activities. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base that includes individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutions. The firm uses tailored, non-discretionary planning and analytical tools to align client goals with investment strategies and supports a large network of advisors with specialized offerings such as municipal advisory services and SIMPLE IRA employer consulting.

Michael Paretzky is a financial advisor at Cetera with 13 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has been involved in various nonprofit and community roles, including serving as operations director for Kollel Toras Chesed and operations manager at Mesivta Shaarei Adirim. Additionally, he is a board member of the National Eruv Initiative. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves individuals, retirement plans, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers diversified portfolio management and financial planning services using a multi-manager platform that includes model portfolios, third-party managers, and customized strategies.

George Aslanidis is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 17 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012, also working with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 2009. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, offering asset-allocation advice, investment manager and fund searches, and customized performance reporting through its Institutional Consulting Services program. The firm combines quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applies an ESG eligibility framework when recommending strategies.

David Maleh is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 28 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Morgan Stanley since 2009, serving in roles at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. in Deerfield, Illinois. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer offering a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, including customized financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and uses a structured financial planning process supported by firm-approved tools and modeling techniques.

Marvin Siegel is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 37 years of industry experience. He has managed his own accounting and tax firm, Marvin M. Siegel CPA PC, since 1976 and has been involved with Siegel Accounting & Financial Services since 2009. In addition to his advisory roles, he is active as an insurance agent specializing in fixed insurance products. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a large SEC-registered firm serving individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services, utilizing multiple program structures and a multi-manager platform that includes affiliated and third-party managers.

Angelo Tardi is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services in Chicago, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Mass Mutual-affiliated firms since 2015 and operates an advisory business through Tardi Family Financial Incorporated, where he supervises and manages investment programs. In addition, he works as an independent insurance agent specializing in life, accident, and health insurance. Mass Mutual Investors Services, LLC is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm provides financial planning, asset management, and educational seminars, using firm-approved software to support collaborative, goal-based financial planning engagements.