Top financial advisors working with women 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.

Lance Lohr is a Wealth Management Advisor and Managing Director at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with Merrill Lynch since 1996, focusing on advising and managing client portfolios and wealth management strategies. Lance holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP) certification and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC) designation, along with FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 registrations. His expertise encompasses a broad range of client focus areas, including college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, women and wealth, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. Lance graduated from Moeller High School, played football at Vanderbilt University, and earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati. Lance follows Merrill's tradition of community service by volunteering with local organizations. His personal interests include football, golfing, hiking, traveling, and spending time with his family. He emphasizes working one-on-one with clients to develop personalized financial strategies tailored to their long-term goals.

Tracey Hayes is a ChFC® and Series 66 licensed financial advisor with 14 years of industry experience. She has been with Edward Jones in Albemarle, NC since 2011. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Bailey Ziemski Harwood is a financial advisor at OneAscent Financial Services LLC with three years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Thrivent Investment Management Inc and Brad Nelson - Thrivent Financial. Outside of her advisory role, she is a part owner of Rapid Towing. OneAscent Financial Services LLC is a multi-team registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, trusts, broker/dealers’ customers, and institutions. The firm offers asset management, financial planning, consulting, and back-office support through a variety of advisory teams and utilizes both customized and model-based investment approaches.

At Empowering Finance we know that you are bold, ambitious, and a total badass. That's why you need a financial plan that allows you to pursue your passions and live your most authentic and powerful life. The problem is a buttoned-up approach to financial planning isn't going to meet your needs. You're worried that your dreams and aspirations will get lost in a cookie-cutter system. We believe you deserve a financial planner who listens to your unique dreams and helps you build a plan to get there. We understand that you want someone who will treat your money as we do our own. Which is why we combine our experience, authenticity, financial knowledge to connect with you and enable you to pursue your passions. Here's how we do it 1) We are a fiduciary: We are legally bound to put your interests ahead of our own 2) Diversity and authenticity matter to us: We are a woman-owned business, LGBTQIA+ friendly, and welcoming to anyone and everyone who needs an ally and friend with financial savvy. 3) Our services are fee-only: We keep things simple: no surprises charges or hidden fees So, Let's Chat. So you can stop worrying you won't reach your dreams and instead work with a passion-driven firm focused on achieving your life's dreams. Read Empowering Finances's blog here: https://empoweringfinance.com/blog/

Paula Gilovich is an Investment Solutions Representative III at Fidelity Investments, where she has been working since 2022. In her role, she helps clients connect to their financial goals by translating complex financial concepts into clear and practical steps. She specializes in addressing the unique financial issues women face and supports women in planning confidently at every stage of life. Prior to her current position, Paula held roles at Fidelity Investments as a High Net Worth Service Associate in 2022 and as a Customer Relations Advocate from 2021 to 2022. Her experience at Fidelity has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of investment solutions and client service. Outside of her professional work, Paula has interests in art, Pilates, soccer, surfing, theater, and writing.