Susan Schwarm is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Libertyville, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 41 years of industry experience. She has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2005. Outside of advising, she manages an LLC that holds commercial property used exclusively for conducting Ameriprise business. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services targeted at clients approaching or in retirement who meet specific asset thresholds, combining research and modeling with tax-efficient strategies. The firm serves a broad client base through advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions typical of a large institutional provider.

Kerry Schwarcz is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 25 years of industry experience. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan Securities and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in 2026, Schwarcz spent a decade at UBS. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors through its Institutional Consulting Services program, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applying an ESG eligibility framework in its investment recommendations.

Frederic Hoffman III is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and over 42 years of industry experience. He has been affiliated with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and related entities since 2003 and has been involved with Associated Pension Services, Inc. since 1988. Outside of his financial advisory work, he serves as a head and assistant coach for youth sports teams in Arlington Heights, IL. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base including individuals, pension plans, charitable organizations, and other retirement-plan sponsors. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory services through a network of independent Financial Professionals, utilizing a range of portfolio management approaches and multiple custody and platform arrangements.

Jeffrey Gundrum is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Deerfield, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 38 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors since 1999, following his work at Axa Advisors, LLC. Equitable Advisors serves a broad client base including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset management through a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and various advisory programs.

Mark Kendall is a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 37 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise since 2009, working across both Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. and LLC entities. 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 with tax-aware withdrawal strategies and dependable income sources. The firm employs a centralized team to develop personalized retirement recommendations that collaborate with advisors for non-discretionary implementation.

Steven Esposito is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors with 43 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has previously worked at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, and Citigroup Global Markets. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with Yellowstone Asset Management, LLC. Wells Fargo Advisors serves individuals, trusts, and institutional clients by providing investment and fee-based financial planning services using Wells Fargo research and planning tools. The firm offers a broad range of planning services, including specialized areas like business-owner transition and special-needs analysis.

William Duncan is a financial advisor at UBS Financial Services with 30 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and previously worked at Ameriprise Financial Services for 12 years. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and investment advisory offerings, including fee-based financial planning and portfolio management. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services and provides access to proprietary research and capital markets solutions.

Hugh Leahy is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with nine years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley Private Bank. J.P. Morgan Securities provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, offering asset-allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting through its Institutional Consulting Services program. The firm combines quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and incorporates an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations.

Richard Mundrane is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Libertyville, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 34 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, and Citigroup Global Markets. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service focused on individuals approaching or in retirement with substantial investable assets, providing written Recommendation Reports that cover income sources, Social Security options, and tax-smart withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver tailored, non-discretionary advice through a centralized consulting team.

Melissa Erath is a financial advisor with Merrill in Deer Park, Illinois, holding the Series 66 designation and possessing 20 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated since 1990. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a board member for Trinity Lutheran Church in Huntley, Illinois, where she assists in establishing financial guidelines and policies. 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, offering a mix of model-based and discretionary investment strategies tailored to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Arnold Bender is a financial advisor with Cetera in Buffalo Grove, IL, holding the ChFC® designation and Series 63 and 65 licenses. He has 35 years of industry experience and has worked at firms including Alera Investment Advisors, Triad Advisors, and GCG Financial. Outside of advising, he owns an accounting and tax preparation business. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of independent advisors. The firm offers a variety of portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement services, operating a multi-manager platform with over $256 billion in assets under management.

Lawrence Zelen is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been providing financial and wealth management advice since 1992, following in the footsteps of his father, who joined the firm in 1961. Lawrence focuses on helping affluent families, individual clients, and closely held businesses achieve their long-term financial objectives. His areas of expertise include college education planning, legacy planning, LGBT wealth planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management, tax minimization, and retirement income. Trained as a CPA, he collaborates with clients' tax professionals to develop strategies aimed at minimizing income tax liability and selecting tax-advantaged investments. Lawrence holds FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 licenses, life and insurance licenses, and the Personal Investment Advisor designation. He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Indiana University and is proficient in English and French. Outside of his professional role, Lawrence enjoys biking, boating, playing pickleball, reading, spending time with family, traveling, and watching movies.

Marie Wurtel is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. She has been with Cetera and its related entities since 2007 and was previously associated with Eric Wurtel & Associates, Inc. from 1993 to 2024. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving a wide range of clients including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, 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 access to affiliated and third-party managers.

Magdalena Sekscinski is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 18 years of industry experience. She has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and has held roles within JPMorgan Chase entities since 2007. She also has experience outside the financial sector, having worked at Thermomix / Vorwerk LLC from 2021 to 2022. 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. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities, delivering recommendations on a non-discretionary basis.

Robert Winters is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 32 years of industry experience. He has worked with Cetera since 1999 and is the managing member of Winters LLC, a CPA firm specializing in tax, audit, and accounting services. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with various portfolio management and financial planning services, supporting both discretionary and non-discretionary account structures.

Sam Schneider is a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2024. In this capacity, he partners with Financial Consultants to build relationships with clients based on mutual trust and understanding. He focuses on developing a comprehensive knowledge of clients' financial goals and needs to collaborate on creating financial plans tailored to each client's personal situation. Sam has extensive experience within Fidelity Investments, having held various positions since 2016. His roles have included Help Desk for Wealth Management Service, Wealth Management Service Associate, Relationship Manager, Financial Representative at the Investor Center, and High Net Worth Service Associate. This progression reflects his broad exposure to different facets of financial services and client engagement within the firm.

Brett Gardiner is a financial advisor at Cetera with 20 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previous experience at Woodbury Financial Services, OSAIC, and Cetera Advisors LLC. Gardiner serves as a board member of a faith-based organization, C247 Father's Arms Ministries. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving a wide range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with various portfolio management options, financial planning, and access to third-party money managers.

Joy Majewicz is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 19 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has been with Morgan Stanley and its predecessor firms since 2007. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a registered investment adviser and broker-dealer offering a broad range of advisory programs to individual and institutional clients. The firm emphasizes structured financial planning through a discovery process and firm-approved tools, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets.

Maria Goebel is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She joined Merrill in 2007, initially serving as a Client Associate before becoming a Financial Advisor in 2012. As a member of the Karras Poplin Schroeder Group, Maria focuses on managing the wealth and finances of affluent families, retirees, women in transition, executives, and entrepreneurs. Her practice includes comprehensive wealth management with specialized experience in concentrated stock positions, executive compensation, and collaboration with clients' legal and accounting professionals to coordinate financial and legacy strategies. Maria holds a Bachelor's Degree from Illinois State University and professional designations as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). She offers clients personalized advice and guidance, creating an environment where they feel understood and supported in achieving their financial goals. Her expertise encompasses portfolio design, long-term strategy, executive compensation analysis, college education planning, corporate benefits, retirement income, and socially responsible investing. Outside of her professional role, Maria is involved with the American Cancer Society and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and traveling, and values spending time with her family. Maria is committed to providing empathetic service and comprehensive financial approaches tailored to her clients' objectives.

James Ruddy serves as a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, joining the Ruddy Group in 2020. In this role, he provides financial advice and guidance, working closely with his team to address client objectives and needs. His areas of client focus include college education planning, family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, small business strategies, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. James is a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) and a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He prioritizes his clients' best interests by providing clear, strategic advice supported by the research and expertise of Merrill and Bank of America. His team aims to help clients manage investments to grow and preserve wealth while planning for meaningful financial goals. James was educated at Glenbrook South High School and the University of Arizona. Outside of his professional role, he is involved in the Glenview Buddy Ball community program and has personal interests that include adventure sports, baseball, basketball, boating, bowling, football, golfing, music, traveling, and watching movies.