John Downes is a financial advisor at Fidelity with a Series 66 designation and three years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Fidelity Investments since 2022, as well as prior positions in various fields including higher education and business. Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company, offers investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including Charitable Gift Funds and registered investment companies. The firm combines proprietary fundamental research with quantitative analysis and algorithmic portfolio construction to build model portfolios from mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs, while also providing oversight and consulting services.

Carlos Couto is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley, holding a Series 63 designation and bringing 38 years of industry experience. He has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. since 2015 and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, Couto is active in community and business organizations, serving as President and board member of the Portuguese American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey and Treasurer and board member of the Ironbound Business Improvement District. He has also participated in the Newark Mayor-Elect Transition Team for budget and finance matters. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer providing a broad range of advisory programs to both individual and institutional clients, including customized financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and structured planning processes.

Ruhi Unwalla is a Series 66-licensed advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with six years of industry experience. Prior to joining J.P. Morgan in 2020, Ruhi held roles at ASK Wealth Advisors and in debt and treasury advisory at Redbridge. Outside of finance, Ruhi has experience working in fitness-related businesses, including Lucille Roberts and Kika Stretch Studio. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, and endowments, focusing on written asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm’s advisory process combines quantitative screening and qualitative research to develop asset allocation models and offers broader derivatives and commodities capabilities than many institutional advisory programs.

Richard Galgano is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. His prior work includes 14 years with Securities America Advisors and Securities America, Inc. Galgano is involved with Prestige Wealth Group LLC and G2 Financial LLC outside of his advisory role. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Helen Fernandez is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 19 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Charles Schwab in 2022, she worked at Citigroup for nine years. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program, offering a combination of non-discretionary advice and access to discretionary separately managed accounts. The firm is notable for its large client base, integrated operational structure, and multi-asset investment guidance.

Francis Giordano is a financial advisor at UBS Financial Services with 35 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at firms including Cantor Fitzgerald Securities and NatAlliance Securities. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and investment advisory services, offering financial planning, portfolio management, and access to mutual funds and alternative products. The firm combines institutional trading capabilities with wealth management and operates as a broker-dealer, investment adviser, and futures commission merchant.

Kenneth Traficante is a CFP® professional with 34 years of industry experience, currently serving at Equitable Advisors since 1999. Prior to this, he was affiliated with Axa Advisors, LLC for 21 years. Outside of advisory work, he is involved in business networking through BNI and holds power of attorney for his parents as well as serving as executor of his mother’s estate. Equitable Advisors provides financial planning, retirement consulting, and asset-management services to individual and institutional clients. The firm utilizes a range of advisory programs and third-party managers to deliver customized investment solutions without sponsoring its own wrap fee program.

Michael Werfel is a financial advisor with Mass Mutual Investors Services in Paramus, NJ, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 20 years of industry experience. He previously worked at METLIFE Securities Inc from 2005 to 2017. Werfel serves on the board of directors for the Kiwanis Club of Pascack Valley, a charitable organization focused on local community support and fundraising for children's programs. MassMutual Investors Services operates as a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that serves individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers by providing ongoing financial planning, asset management, and educational seminars.

William Hunt III is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and bringing 20 years of industry experience. He previously worked at JPMorgan Chase Bank and J.P. Morgan Securities for 11 years. Outside of his advisory role, Hunt serves as a firefighter and treasurer for the Mahwah Fire Department. 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 range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning and model portfolio programs, utilizing both proprietary and third-party investment strategies.

Maria Cunningham is a financial advisor at Merrill with 36 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2005 and holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials. 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 strategies designed by internal Chief Investment Office teams and third-party managers, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Marta Threlfall is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with nine years of industry experience. She holds Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and previously worked at Blackrock Investments, LLC for nine years before joining Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley in 2025. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a large SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and financial planning services supported by proprietary tools and a Global Investment Committee.

Jacqueline Geary is a financial advisor with MassMutual Investors Services, holding CFP® and Series 63 designations and bringing 30 years of industry experience. She has been with MML Investors Services, Inc. and Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company since 1997. Geary is also a member of Ravo Financial Strategies LLC, where she is involved in selling insurance and investment services. MassMutual 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 ongoing financial planning and offers asset management, wrap and money-manager programs, and educational seminars.

Lawrence Perl is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Paramus, NJ, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 39 years of industry experience. He has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association since 2015 and at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009. Outside of his advisory work, he manages two vacation rental properties in Cambria, California. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and financial planning services supported by structured planning tools and proprietary investment modeling.

Patricia Ela is a financial advisor at Cetera with 36 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Cetera Wealth Services, LLC since 2013, continuing with Cetera since 2023. She is the owner of Ela Financial Group, Inc., a financial planning practice, and serves as board president of a local homeowners association. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm that serves individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a large network of independent advisors. The firm offers a variety of portfolio management and financial planning services, operating as a multi-manager platform with discretionary and non-discretionary options.

John Benigno is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 10 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2018. Prior to that, he worked at Bank of America, N.A. and Merrill from 2016 to 2018. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving both individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and employs structured planning tools and analysis methods such as Monte Carlo simulations to support its planning process.

Maryann Lyon is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor at Merrill with 21 years of industry experience. She has been with Merrill since 2009 and also has a longstanding association with Bank of America, N.A. since 2004. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individual, high-net-worth, and institutional clients.

Stacey Smith is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 25 years of industry experience. She has been with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney since 2009 and holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offers a range of advisory programs to individual and institutional clients, including tailored financial planning through its Financial Advisors and Estate Planning Strategies Group. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and uses structured planning tools and models to assist clients in financial decision-making.

Jason Elfenbein is a financial advisor with Merrill, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 28 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Bank of America and Quick & Reilly, Inc., with over 15 years at Bank of America and 17 years at Merrill. 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 model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Anthony Cingire Jr. is a financial advisor with OSAIC, holding a Series 63 designation and bringing 33 years of industry experience. He worked at Lincoln Financial Advisors from 1994 to 2025 before joining OSAIC in 2025. Outside of his advisory role, he offers accident and health insurance, disability insurance, fixed and indexed annuities, and traditional life insurance. OSAIC Wealth serves a diverse range of retail and institutional clients through a multi-advisor platform, providing brokerage and advisory services that include financial planning, managed portfolios, and retirement plan consulting. The firm emphasizes model-based asset allocation and portfolio optimization, offering discretionary and advisor-managed strategies supported by risk assessment tools and access to third-party managers.

Amanda Gravina is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role she has held since 2024. Prior to this, she worked as a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments from 2020 to 2024. In her current position, Amanda partners with clients to build and establish personalized financial plans tailored to their unique goals. She focuses on creating and maintaining relationships with individuals and their families to help them feel confident in growing and protecting their wealth. Outside of her professional work, Amanda has interests that include cooking and baking, family activities, fitness, food, and Pilates.