CFP®-certified financial advisors in Carbondale, IL

Zach is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Accredited Behavioral Finance Professional™ who helps clients align their money with their values so that they can live more intentionally now and in the future. With a background in psychology and a deep belief in access and equity, he brings both heart and strategy to every plan. Zach’s approach is collaborative, thorough, and solution-oriented. He’s worked with hundreds of families over his 10+ year career, and he’s especially passionate about demystifying complex topics so clients feel confident making decisions that reflect what they care about most. Prior to Novak Financial Partners, Zach spent over a decade at nationally recognized Registered Investment Advisors, where he became increasingly focused on delivering planning in a way that’s transparent, approachable, and deeply human. Outside of work, Zach enjoys reading, exercising, traveling with family, and cheering on Chicago’s sports teams. “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker

Nicholas Ramsey is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 10 years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Regions Bank, First Southern Bank, LPL Financial, and Northwestern Mutual. Outside of advising, he is involved in youth volleyball as an IHSA official, head coach, and club director. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate and charitable clients, and institutional accounts. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and consulting services through a multi-manager platform with over $256 billion in assets under management and more than 10,000 advisors nationwide.

Susan White is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with seven years of industry experience. She holds Series 65, Series 63, and Series 66 designations. Her prior experience includes roles at Wells Fargo, J.P. Morgan Securities, and multiple banking institutions. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Mark Chalem is a CFP® professional with 10 years of experience in the financial industry, currently affiliated with Edward Jones since 2016. He is based in Carbondale, Illinois. Outside of his advisory role, Chalem serves as an investing instructor at John A. Logan College. Independent Wealth Network, Inc. advises individuals, trusts, pension and profit-sharing plans, estates, charitable organizations, and corporations, providing wealth management, financial planning, and consulting services. The firm manages approximately $518 million in client assets and employs a range of investment strategies including third-party models and discretionary portfolio management.

Michael Neill is a CFP® professional with over 41 years of experience, currently affiliated with Raymond James Financial in Carbondale, IL. He has worked with First Mid Wealth Management and various Raymond James entities since 2015. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as Chairman of the Finance Committee for the First United Methodist Church in Carbondale and is a director for the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and supports municipal and public finance advisory services through a broad network of advisors.

Sarah Currier Barrella is a CFP® professional with 26 years of experience in financial advisory services. She currently works at Santander Securities LLC and Santander Bank, NA, having previously held positions at TD Bank and Citizens Securities, Inc. Barrella is based in Boston, MA. Santander Securities LLC serves a broad retail client base with approximately $3.14 billion in regulatory assets under management across 10,800 client relationships. The firm offers investment advisory services, portfolio management through wrap-fee programs, and financial planning, operating both as a registered investment adviser and a FINRA-registered broker-dealer.

Elanna Gould is a CFP® professional with six years of experience, currently advising at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors in Cleveland, OH. Her background includes roles at PepsiCo and The Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Center, as well as academic experience at The Ohio State University. She is also an independent insurance agent for various companies. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a broad client base, including individuals, retirement plans, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services through a network of independent professionals. The firm provides a range of portfolio management options, proprietary and third-party strategies, and various custody platforms tailored to client objectives.

Ethan Siekkinen is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with Plante Moran Financial Advisors. He has one year of industry experience and previously worked at J Wilson Wealth Management. Outside of financial advising, he has experience in the lawn care business with Rizzo Lawn Care. Plante Moran Financial Advisors serves a diverse client base including individuals, institutions, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm provides investment advisory, financial planning, and estate-planning services, utilizing a range of investment strategies and managing both discretionary and non-discretionary assets.

Jace Hart is a CFP® with nine years of industry experience and currently serves as a financial advisor at Rockwall Wealth Management. His prior experience includes roles at Leo Wealth, LPL Financial, and Fidelity Brokerage Services. Rockwall Wealth Management provides portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm emphasizes diversified, low-cost ETF model portfolios with a focus on tax efficiency, liquidity, and systematic macro tilts, offering both traditional and advanced investment strategies tailored to client objectives.

Jeffrey Macdonald is a CFP® and ChFC® with 17 years of industry experience. He has been with Investment Management & Planning LLC since 2010 and is also affiliated with LPL Financial LLC. Investment Management & Planning LLC provides fee-based investment advisory and comprehensive financial planning primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients, offering portfolio management on both discretionary and non-discretionary bases. The firm emphasizes ongoing account supervision and individualized asset allocation, often utilizing LPL-sponsored platforms and model portfolios.