Top gifting strategies financial advisors in Des Plaines, IL

Candace Vondra is a CFA® charterholder with 23 years of industry experience, currently serving at William Blair since 2006. She holds the Series 63 designation and is based in Des Plaines, IL. William Blair’s Private Wealth Management division provides investment management, financial planning, and wealth services to individuals, foundations, pension, and corporate clients. The firm employs an active, research-driven approach across multiple asset classes and offers proprietary models, third-party sub-advisers, and access to private funds and co-investment opportunities.

Nancy Morales Calara is a Financial Consultant currently working at Fidelity Investments since 2024. Prior to this role, she held positions including Relationship Manager and Transition Services Specialist at Fidelity Investments, as well as various roles at Merrill and Banker's Life and Casualty Co. Her career demonstrates a progressive experience in financial services and client relationship management. Nancy emphasizes the importance of listening and building trust in financial planning. She approaches financial discussions with a focus on understanding each client's unique circumstances, whether addressing retirement, investments, or unforeseen financial events. Her professional philosophy centers on providing clarity and support as clients navigate their financial situations. Outside of her professional work, Nancy has interests in art, badminton, cars, food, social events, and traveling.

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.

Krzysztof Garlewicz is a CFP® and Series 66-registered advisor with 18 years of industry experience. He has worked at ProsperiFi LLC since 2017 and previously spent seven years with LPL Financial. In addition to his advisory work, he is an author associated with the Financial Freedom Formula and has engaged in speaker and content creation activities. ProsperiFi LLC provides advisory services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and family-owned businesses. The firm employs a multi-faceted investment approach incorporating fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis, along with modern portfolio theory, and offers access to alternative investments and third-party money managers.

Michal Walaszek is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Des Plaines, IL, holding Series 66 and Series 63 licenses and six years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Northwestern Mutual Investment Management and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Walaszek also spent two years working in the construction industry. J.P. Morgan Securities 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 integrates an ESG eligibility framework when recommending strategies.

Christopher Fuhrman is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with six years of industry experience. He held a position at Pelzer Law Firm for ten years prior to joining Edward Jones in 2019. Outside of his advisory role, Fuhrman owns and oversees management of Estherville Ambulance Service, Inc., and is involved with Lakes Area Ambulance Service, a nonprofit organization operating in Iowa. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, including households of varied net worth, pension plans, and charitable organizations. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and operates a nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices, offering a range of discretionary and non-discretionary investment strategies under a fiduciary standard.

Krista Wallace is a CFP® professional with five years of experience in financial advising. She has worked at SoundView Advisors since 2020 and previously spent six years at Zeiders Enterprises. Outside of her advisory role, she serves as a Trustee and Finance Elder at University Place Presbyterian Church. SoundView Advisors serves individual and high-net-worth clients by providing discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning. The firm emphasizes customized asset allocation and ongoing account management, with a focus on tailored portfolios and formal quarterly reviews.

Cody Tellis is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and the founder of The Tellis Group, established to provide a unified source for comprehensive wealth management. With over 25 years of experience across the private and public sectors, Cody's professional background combines business ownership, banking, tax planning, and law. This diverse experience equips him to address the unique opportunities and challenges associated with significant wealth. Cody holds a Juris Doctorate Degree from Trinity Law School and a Master’s Degree from St. Thomas University, enhancing his ability to offer informed financial insights to his clients. His areas of focus include tax-sensitive trust and estate planning services, financial services for nonprofits, business succession planning, individual and corporate captive insurance, college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, portfolio management services, and tax minimization. Cody does not provide legal or tax advice in his role with Merrill and advises clients to consult appropriate professionals for these services. Outside of his professional life, Cody enjoys music, spending time with his family, and traveling.

Garrett Jensen is the Vice President and Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments. In this role, he supports clients and their families in implementing and monitoring financial plans, with a focus on tax-efficient investing, gifting, estate planning considerations, and other areas of financial planning. He holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP4) designation and is licensed to provide insurance services in Arkansas and California. Garrett has been with Fidelity Investments since 2016, progressing through various roles including Financial Consultant, Planning Consultant, PAS Portfolio Specialist, and Workplace Planning Consultant. His career path reflects experience in portfolio management, workplace planning, and high net worth client services. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Garrett enjoys biking, golf, reading, and skiing.

Kylee Holderied is a financial advisor at Hobbs Group Advisors LLC with one year of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at Onthemarc Catering. Hobbs Group Advisors LLC provides investment advice to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm offers both discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, combining portfolio oversight with financial planning, and uses client interviews and risk-tolerance questionnaires to develop individualized investment policies.