Erich Gerlach is Vice President and Wealth Planner at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2018. He works with clients to prioritize, make, and implement financial decisions aimed at achieving their personal and family goals. Prior to this role, he served as a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments from 2012 to 2018. His career also includes positions at Citi Personal Wealth Management as a Relationship Manager and Investment Consultant, as well as roles at The Vanguard Group and US Bancorp Fund Services. Erich began his career in customer service and new accounts counseling at AnchorBank FSB. Throughout his career, Erich has developed experience in wealth planning, financial consulting, relationship management, and investment consultation. His work focuses on empowering clients through strong financial decisions that reflect their core values. Outside of his professional life, Erich enjoys biking, hiking, and traveling.

Michael Schaffer II is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors with five years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Wells Fargo Advisors since 2023, following seven years at Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. Schaffer is involved in managing his practice through Schaffer Management Services Corp. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network serves individuals, trusts, and institutional clients by offering investment and financial planning services that cover a wide range of needs, including retirement, education, risk management, and specialized areas like business-owner transition and special-needs planning. The firm uses proprietary research and planning tools to develop tailored recommendations for clients, who may implement these through various brokerage and advisory programs.

Anton Atkinson is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with LPL Enterprise in Rosemont, IL, bringing two years of industry experience. Prior to joining LPL Enterprise, he worked at Pruco Securities LLC and NinjaTrader LLC, among other firms. He is also involved as an investment representative with Hunken Ewing Financial Group, focusing on non-variable insurance. LPL Enterprise provides investment advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, and corporate entities. The firm employs a model-driven investment approach and offers access to third-party asset managers, financial planning, and insurance products through affiliated entities.

Matthew Hersh is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with five years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Morgan Stanley since 2021. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, he was employed in engineering roles at Primera Engineers, Henneman Engineering, and Calvin, Giordano & Associates. Outside of his advisory work, he is a partner in a private family real estate holding company. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. The firm offers a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, emphasizing structured financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and modeling techniques.

Jillian Galfi is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 19 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Morgan Stanley and UBS Financial Services. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a large SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including tailored financial planning supported by structured processes and proprietary planning tools.

Christine Gregory is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She holds the Professional Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and a Bachelor's Degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Christine focuses on connecting clients with the people, plans, and processes that align with their unique ambitions. Her work involves helping clients pursue personal financial goals, such as funding their children’s education, planning for retirement and potential healthcare costs, and developing personalized strategies to achieve long-term family objectives. She emphasizes simplicity and transparency in wealth planning to guide clients through the complexities of investing.

Richard Lies is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Deerfield, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials. He joined Equitable Advisors in 2025 and has prior experience in various roles including at Alterra Mountain Company and Gerry's Cafe. Outside of finance, he is involved with family-owned businesses, including a dental practice. Equitable Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, retirement consulting, and asset management through a network of Investment Adviser Representatives and third-party program sponsors.

Peter Loukis is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Northbrook, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and seven years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at TD Ameritrade and the University of Missouri. UBS Financial Services serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and advisory services, combining institutional trading capabilities with wealth management solutions. The firm uses proprietary research and model-based asset allocations to tailor investment strategies aligned with clients’ goals and risk tolerances.

Lawrence Schmitt is a financial advisor at LPL Financial in Palatine, IL, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses with six years of industry experience. He previously worked at B. Riley Wealth Advisors, Inc. and Wipfli, LLP. 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 financial planning and investment management solutions utilizing both proprietary and third-party strategies.

Christopher Roberts is a CFP® professional with 24 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors since 2018 and previously held roles at LPL Financial and Alchemy Advisors. Roberts is also involved as an independent insurance agent with multiple companies. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory through a network of independent Financial Professionals using both proprietary and third-party strategies across various platform arrangements.

Nancy Szymula is a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services in Des Plaines, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 40 years of industry experience. She has been with UBS Financial Services since 2013. UBS Financial Services Inc. serves individual, corporate, and institutional clients through brokerage and investment advisory offerings, combining institutional trading capabilities with wealth management services. The firm provides fee-based financial planning, portfolio management, and access to proprietary research and capital markets services.

Aaditya Patel is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Deerfield, IL, and has one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Equitable Advisors, he worked at Bankers Life and held various other roles outside the financial sector, including a position with Bradley University’s Intramural Sports Department. Equitable Advisors serves a broad client base, including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm provides financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and asset management through a network of Investment Adviser Representatives, utilizing both firm-offered programs and third-party managers.

Robert Churchill is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in comprehensive wealth management strategies tailored to individual client needs. He works closely with clients and their families to develop customized financial plans that adapt to changing circumstances and market conditions. Robert leverages the investment insights of Merrill along with the banking services of Bank of America to address various aspects of his clients’ financial lives, focusing on areas such as retirement planning, portfolio management, tax minimization, and socially responsible investing. With professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA), Robert brings extensive expertise to his role. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Syracuse University. His approach emphasizes simplicity, transparency, and a disciplined process to help clients pursue their financial goals. Outside of his professional work, Robert participates in his local community through involvement with the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights and the Arlington Heights Youth Basketball Association. He enjoys spending time outdoors playing golf and racket sports, and values time at his summer cottage in Pentwater, Michigan.

Ashraf Abadir is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with six years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at firms including BMO Bank NA and Citi Bank. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services through a large network of investment adviser representatives, utilizing various investment strategies and technological tools.

Michael Phillips is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 10 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2015. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management serves both individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs including customized financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and methodologies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and provides services through financial advisors as well as employer-based corporate financial planning agreements.

Thomas Nowak is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with Charles Schwab, based in Northbrook, IL, and has 17 years of industry experience. He has worked with Charles Schwab Bank SSB and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. since 2011. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and related managed-account and financial planning services. The firm combines non-discretionary advisory relationships with access to affiliated discretionary separately managed accounts and offers a multi-asset model portfolio approach supported by centralized custody and operational infrastructure.

Jeffrey Reis is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management with employment since 1996. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP), Certified Portfolio Manager (CPM), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designations. His expertise encompasses a broad range of financial planning areas including college education planning, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. He focuses on integrating all aspects of clients' financial lives to provide advice tailored to their needs, goals, risk tolerance, and liquidity requirements. Jeffrey earned his bachelor's degree from Colorado State University. Outside of his professional work, he is interested in biking, camping, fishing, hiking, skiing, swimming, and traveling.

Anita Testa is a CFP® with 25 years of industry experience and is currently a Wealth Advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities in Highland Park, IL. She has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and also works with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 2020. 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 and investment management capabilities.

Lawrence Goldman is a financial advisor with Cetera who holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 35 years of industry experience. He has worked with Cetera and its affiliates since 1990 and also operates Computer Accounting & Financial Service, Inc., providing tax, accounting, and financial services. He is based in Chicago, IL. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a large SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and advisory services through a multi-manager platform with access to affiliated and third-party money managers.

Henry Wanner is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with 24 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Edward Jones since 2019. Prior to that, he was employed at Bank of America and Merrill from 2016 to 2019. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment strategies supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices across the United States.