Vijay Bajaj is a financial advisor with Ameriprise in Lisle, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 26 years of industry experience. He has been with Ameriprise and its affiliate since 2005. Outside of his advisory role, he is a part owner of V & V Partners LLC, a real estate company involved in office space leasing. Ameriprise provides retirement-income planning services targeting individuals near or in retirement with significant investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver tailored, non-discretionary recommendations and offers a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions.

David Young is a financial advisor at Merrill with 35 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at both Merrill and Bank of America, N.A. since 1991 and 2011, respectively. 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 investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Matthew Stevens is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with nine years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has worked at J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and JPMorgan Chase Bank since 2017, with prior experience at Northwestern Mutual. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients, offering written asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting through a non-discretionary program. The firm combines quantitative and qualitative research to develop model asset allocations and incorporates an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations.

Gilbert Mauro is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Oak Brook, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and having 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley and its Private Bank since 2016. Outside of his advisory role, Mauro is the owner of Mauro Family Investments LLC, an investment-related entity focused on estate planning. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides advisory programs and tailored financial planning services to both individual and institutional clients, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. The firm’s planning process uses structured discovery and proprietary tools to model outcomes, offering a broad range of investment and financial services.

Kedra Olsen is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 30 years of industry experience. She has been with Cetera and its related entities since the late 1990s and early 2000s. Outside of her advisory work, she is a partner in a tax and accounting practice and involved in commercial rental property management. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual, institutional, and retirement plan clients through a large network of independent advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services with multiple program options and access to third-party managers.

Brett Efimov is a financial advisor at Cetera with 26 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has worked with Cetera since 2013. Outside of advising, he owns and operates a CPA firm and serves as president of a company providing credit card processing services. He is also a member of the Illinois CPA Society’s membership committee. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is a nationwide SEC-registered advisory firm serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services through a multi-manager platform that includes access to affiliated and third-party managers.

Daniel Mc Hugh is a CFP® and Series 66 holder with nine years of experience in the financial services industry, all of which have been with Edward Jones since 2017. He is based in Tinley Park, Illinois. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, including pension plans, corporate clients, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory services under a fiduciary standard, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Daniel Galovich is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities based in Naperville, IL. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has five years of industry experience, all with J.P. Morgan entities since 2019. His prior work includes roles at Lifetime Fitness, Paylocity, DSW, and the University of Illinois. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients, focusing on written asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The program uses a centralized due diligence process and incorporates quantitative and qualitative research, with a focus on eligible strategies that may include an ESG framework.

Daniel Paliga is a financial advisor with Charles Schwab in Oak Brook, IL, holding a Series 66 license and having one year of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Charles Schwab Bank, Charles Schwab Premier Bank, and Rapid Business Plans. Outside of finance, he has worked in the food service industry with Doughnut Co. and Buenas Nachos. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves a large client base primarily composed of 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 combines a non-discretionary client relationship model with access to discretionary separately managed accounts and offers multi-asset model portfolios supported by proprietary research and due diligence on alternative investments.

Joseph Nicholson is a financial advisor at Mass Mutual Investors Services with 38 years of industry experience. He has held roles at Metlife Securities and Massmutual Life Insurance Co before joining his current firm. His credentials include Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Mass Mutual Investors Services is a broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser subsidiary of MassMutual that serves individuals, business owners, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and employers. The firm provides ongoing financial planning, asset management, and educational seminars, utilizing firm-approved software and a collaborative, annual planning process.

Cataldo Panici is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and over 33 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Wayne Hummer Investments and Banc of America Investment Services, among other firms. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with Wintrust Wealth Management in a non-variable insurance capacity. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm provides advisory and brokerage services supported by a wide range of financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

David Bartz is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 22 years of industry experience. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2011 and previously spent four years at Edward Jones. Bartz is also a non-variable insurance advisor affiliated with Optimus Producer Partners and Pacific Life. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm provides a range of advisory and brokerage services, including model portfolio programs and third-party asset management, supported by research and technology tools for investment professionals.

John Furjanic is a financial advisor with Thrivent Investment Management in Downers Grove, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 29 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at JP Morgan Securities and Foresters Equity Services. He serves as the recording secretary for Rotary One Chicago, an organization focused on community service projects. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients through its network of financial advisors. The firm focuses on holistic, goal-based planning without discretionary trading authority and offers the option to combine planning with managed-account services under a consolidated billing arrangement called “WealthPlan.”

George Mannella II is a financial advisor at Osaic Wealth with 32 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Woodbury Financial Services, Citizens Securities, and Charter One Securities. Mannella is also president of Mannella Financial Services LLC and works as a financial consultant selling fixed annuities, fixed life insurance, and health insurance through Dato Pistorio Financial Group. Osaic Wealth serves a diverse client base including retail investors, retirement plans, charities, and corporate clients, offering a range of brokerage and advisory services with a model-based investment approach that incorporates asset allocation, portfolio optimization, and third-party manager selection.

Kathleen Morrissy is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with a Series 66 credential and nine years of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at Waddell & Reed, various insurance carriers, and involvement with tax preparation businesses where she serves as the owner. Outside of advising, she operates a tax preparation service, Kathy Morrissy (Tax Prep), and assists with tax return preparation at Tom Morrissy (Tax Prep). Ameriprise Financial Services is a large advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering specialized retirement income planning through its Premier Retirement Income service. The firm’s approach includes comprehensive written recommendations and ongoing advice focused on income reliability and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Jason Grady is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Oak Brook, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and 18 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors since 2008 and previously worked at AXA Advisors, LLC. In addition to his advisory role, he is a partner member of Life Loyal Advisors, LLC. Equitable Advisors serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and various asset-management programs. The firm utilizes both proprietary and third-party investment models and provides ERISA fiduciary services to qualified plans through credentialed representatives.

Benjamin Johnson is a CFP® credentialed financial advisor with 22 years of industry experience. He has worked at J.P. Morgan Securities and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 2015, and previously spent seven years at LPL Financial and one year at Raymond James Financial Services. He is based in Naperville, Illinois. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to plan sponsors, corporations, endowments, and other institutional clients through a non-discretionary advisory program focused on asset allocation advice, investment manager searches, and customized performance reporting. The firm’s approach combines quantitative and qualitative research supported by a centralized manager solutions team, with an emphasis on eligible strategies and ESG considerations.

James Burke is a CFP® and holds the Series 66 designation. He has 14 years of industry experience, all with Edward Jones, where he has worked since 2012. He is based in Darien, Illinois. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management and offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Maralynn Kearney is a CFP® professional with 13 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at LPL Financial since 2021. Her previous roles include work with Waddell & Reed Inc and various insurance carriers, as well as managing CMS Office Management, LLC. She has been involved with the Kiwanis Club of Darien. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a variety of solutions including financial planning, model portfolios, and access to third-party asset management, supported by technology-driven research tools.

Amber Knopf is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. She has worked with Waddell & Reed, Inc., Mark Albian, and various insurance carriers, including roles in insurance sales. 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 services including financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supporting advisors with technology and access to diverse investment strategies.