Darby O'Leary is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, holding a Series 66 credential and three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Cambridge Investment Research Advisors in 2024, O'Leary worked at Cambridge Investment Research Inc. and operates Preferred Planning Concepts, LLC, an independent insurance agency. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory services through a network of independent Financial Professionals. The firm provides a range of investment strategies across multiple platforms, including proprietary and third-party models, with options for discretionary and non-discretionary management.

Timothy Ryder is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Glenview, IL, holding a Series 66 designation with eight years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2017 and previously worked with the United States Soccer Federation from 2011 to 2017. Outside of his advisory role, he receives a per-game stipend related to the National Women's Soccer League. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a wide range of investment advisory programs and affiliated financial services supported by a large nationwide network of advisors and branch offices.

Scott Stratford is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He provides wealth management guidance to a select group of individuals, families, and institutions across the country, including many active and retired business owners. Scott works closely with clients to tailor wealth management strategies that align with their goals and evolving life circumstances, focusing on protecting the wealth they have accumulated. Scott joined Merrill in Chicago in 1987 after earning a bachelor's degree from Marquette University. He holds several professional designations, including Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP), and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA). As a Portfolio Manager, he manages Personalized or Defined Strategies on a discretionary basis, which may include individual stocks and bonds, Merrill model portfolios, and third-party investment strategies. A long-time Chicago resident, Scott has volunteered for over 25 years with the World’s Largest Block Party sponsored by Old St. Patrick’s Church. He has also served as president of the Marquette Club of Chicago and on the national board of the Marquette University Alumni Association, as well as on the board of the Chicago Athletic Association. Scott lives in Barrington Hills with his wife and son.

Jing O'Brien is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 19 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and has been with LPL Financial since 2010. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved in tax preparation and accounting services through a related business, Jade Accountants & Tax Services. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, corporations, and charitable organizations nationwide. The firm offers financial planning, advisory programs, retirement plan consulting, and brokerage services, utilizing a combination of proprietary research, third-party subadvisors, and various portfolio management strategies.

Richard Desmedt is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in West Chicago, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 40 years of industry experience. He has been with Equitable Advisors since 1999, following his tenure at AXA Advisors, LLC. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved as a member of an outside insurance brokerage and serves as trustee and successor trustee of personal trusts. Equitable Advisors serves individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, corporations, and charitable organizations by providing financial planning, retirement plan support, and access to asset management through LPL programs and third-party asset managers. The firm employs a hybrid referral and implementation model, combining advisory and brokerage channels to customize services based on client goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.

Elizabeth Miller is a Series 66 credentialed financial advisor with 27 years of industry experience. She has worked at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated since 1998 and at Bank of America since 2009. Miller serves as the incoming president and a board member of the Jewish Federation of Peoria, a nonprofit organization, where she is involved in fundraising and leadership activities. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program to fiduciary clients of Bank of America. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Agata Kowalyk is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Park Ridge, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 33 years of industry experience. She has been with Primerica Advisors since 1992 and Primerica Financial Services since 1990. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved in the sale of home security and automation products through affiliated companies and participates in mortgage loan product sales. Primerica Advisors provides discretionary asset management through its Lifetime Investment Program, offering model-delivery strategies and a limited selection of separately managed account options to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm curates third-party asset managers and employs a tiered wrap fee structure, focusing on retail clients rather than institutional pension or profit-sharing plans.

Mark Stack is a financial advisor with Cetera in Schaumburg, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and five years of industry experience. He has worked at firms including Avantax Advisory Services and 1st Global Advisors and serves as a tax manager providing tax consulting and compliance services at Lumsden & McCormick LLP. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a large network of independent advisors. The firm offers diverse portfolio management and financial planning services with multiple program options and a multi-manager platform.

Alex Hickman is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Arlington Heights, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and six years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Trader Joe's and Subway. 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 through a select group of Wealth Advisors. As a subsidiary of J.P. Morgan, the firm combines institutional advisory services with brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities.

Michael Burdick is a CFP® professional with 30 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Ameriprise in Elk Grove Village, IL. He previously spent 30 years with Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service targeted at individuals nearing or in retirement with significant investable assets, delivering tailored, research-based recommendations through a centralized consulting team. The firm provides a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions typical of a large institutional firm.

Jim Ostach is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 53 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Raymond James Financial and Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. from 2001 to 2021. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, credit unions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management approaches along with research from internal and third-party sources.

Patrick Spiedel is a Financial Consultant currently working at Fidelity Investments since 2023. He brings a decade of experience in financial services to his role, having held positions as an Investment Consultant at Fidelity Investments from 2022 to 2023, a Private Client Banker at JPMorgan Chase, N.A. from 2018 to 2022, and a Relationship Banker at JPMorgan Chase, N.A. from 2015 to 2018. His professional focus is on understanding clients' unique financial situations and partnering with them to build and implement comprehensive financial plans. Throughout his career, Patrick has worked closely with clients to provide ongoing support as their life circumstances and financial goals evolve. He relies on a breadth of knowledge accumulated over ten years to assist clients in their financial journeys. Outside of his professional work, Patrick has interests in fitness, gardening, parenthood, reading, running, and volunteering.

Khalekidan Melkamu is a financial advisor with Merrill in Chicago, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Merrill, he worked at Bank of America, N.A., and has experience as a self-employed individual and with Uber. Outside of finance, he provides commentary as an independent contractor for a professional wrestling streaming service. Merrill, along with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, offers managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, providing model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth investors, pension plans, and charitable organizations.

Juan Rangel Jr. is a financial advisor at Merrill based in Chicago, IL, holding the Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Bank of America, N.A., where he worked for six years before joining Merrill. Outside of advising, he works part-time as a delivery driver for Uber Eats and DoorDash. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services for Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for a range of individual and institutional clients.

Steve Lusietto is a financial advisor at Fidelity with Series 66 and Series 63 credentials and five years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Robinhood Markets, TD Ameritrade, and State Farm Insurance. He is affiliated with Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company, which provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients. The firm combines proprietary fundamental research with quantitative analysis and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage a diverse range of investment portfolios.

Carla Nitz is a CFP® with 30 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with LPL Financial since 2020. Her prior experience includes five years at Blyth & Associates, Inc. and 25 years at Securities America, Inc. She is also involved in tax preparation and accounting through North Central Tax Services. LPL Financial serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, advisory programs, and retirement plan consulting with both discretionary and non-discretionary management, supported by research and technology-driven strategies.

Trevor Hart is a Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Vice President based in the Schaumburg, Illinois office of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been serving high-net worth clients since 1993, focusing on providing personalized wealth management solutions tailored to complex financial needs. Trevor works primarily with high net worth individuals, business owners, and corporate executives, helping them manage various aspects of their financial lives. His services include retirement and wealth transfer forecasting, asset allocation, discretionary portfolio management, hedging and monetization of concentrated equity positions, as well as traditional cash management, banking, and lending services offered through Bank of America, NA. Trevor employs a defined process with each client to align financial strategies with individual circumstances and maintains regular meetings to ensure financial plans remain consistent with clients' goals. Trevor holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., and the Personal Investment Advisor designation. He earned a bachelor's degree in Finance from Bradley University, graduating with academic honors. Outside of his professional role, Trevor resides in Barrington with his wife and three children. His personal interests include basketball, music, and traveling.

Artur Stypula is a financial advisor with LPL Enterprise, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 21 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Farmers Insurance, and Sagepoint Financial. Outside of his advisory work, he is active as a musician with NBC Universal. LPL Enterprise serves a diverse client base including individuals, retirement plans, charitable organizations, corporations, and institutional clients through advisory and brokerage channels. The firm offers financial planning, access to model wealth portfolios, third-party asset management, and a range of brokerage and insurance products through its integrated platform.

Joshua Ezzo is Vice President and Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2022. He has been with Fidelity Investments since 2012, progressing through roles including Financial Consultant, Investment Consultant, Relationship Manager, Financial Representative, and Retirement Brokerage Services. Throughout his career at Fidelity, Joshua has worked closely with clients to develop wealth strategies aimed at benefiting them and their families now and in the future. He holds a California Insurance License, supporting his expertise in financial and insurance matters.

Ted Nelson is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and possessing 21 years of industry experience. He has been with J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012 and has worked with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 2003. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors 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.