Top financial advisors working with newlyweds and engaged couples in Illinois

Kevin Hanrahan is a financial advisor with Merrill in Chicago, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 31 years of industry experience. He has been with Bank of America and Merrill since 2009. 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 supported by internal and third-party managers, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Jessica Stanley is a financial advisor at Rezny Wealth Management, Inc. in Aurora, IL, holding a Series 65 designation with 13 years of industry experience. She has been with Rezny Wealth Management since 2009. Rezny Wealth Management primarily serves individual investors, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, offering discretionary portfolio management and integrated financial planning on a fee-only basis. The firm manages approximately $506 million in client assets, utilizing a Global Tactical Opportunity Portfolios framework that combines quantitative and fundamental analysis across a range of investment styles.

Michael Hankes is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 40 years of industry experience. He has been with LPL Financial since 2006. Hankes is a 20% partner in an LLC involved in investment-related activities outside his advisory role. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and consulting services, utilizing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by model portfolios and research.

Kristine Iverson is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 31 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been associated with Morgan Stanley and its affiliates since 2007, including roles at Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a range of advisory programs to individual and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and delivers services that include estate planning and structured investment approaches.

Roland Szilard is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Olympia Fields, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He has worked at Valic Financial Advisors since 2006 and is also affiliated with Agia since 2022. Outside of his advisory role, Szilard serves as a board member involved in organizing youth soccer training and play activities and acts as a youth soccer referee. Valic Financial Advisors, Inc. serves primarily U.S. individuals, including high net worth clients and employer-sponsored retirement participants, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and discretionary unified managed accounts through a large network of advisors. The firm manages approximately $29.2 billion and utilizes centralized technology and model solutions to support its client base of nearly 300,000 across more than 1,200 advisors.

Leslie Goodwin is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Edward Jones, based in Junction City, KS, and has two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2023, Goodwin worked at Redfish LLC and Junction City Enterprises Inc. Goodwin is involved in local community organizations as a board member of the Junction City Noon Kiwanis, Greater Geary Community Foundation, Geary Community Schools Foundation, and Manhattan Area Technical College. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment strategies supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Cynthia Flannigan is a CFP® professional with seven years of industry experience. She has worked at MainStreet Financial Planning, Inc. since 2018 and previously spent six years at Evercore Wealth Management. MainStreet Financial Planning serves individuals, couples, families, business owners, and non-profit organizations, offering fee-only financial planning and investment consultation. The firm emphasizes a long-term, low-cost, passive investment approach focused on asset allocation and tax efficiency, providing non-discretionary advice through structured planning packages and educational resources.

My Financial Background: I am a CFA® Charterholder and CFP® Professional. For over a decade I served in various roles at Morgan Stanley and BNP Paribas in the New York metro area before relocating to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2021 where I was most recently a Vice President at Bank of America. Why I founded PB Wealth: I started PB Wealth to make a real impact in people’s lives, specifically focusing on professionals and families who may have some time before they retire, but they are in their peak decision-making years and need someone that truly invests in and empowers them. Starting my own RIA has given me the flexibility and independence I need to serve clients in their best interest, without compromise. My Mission: I believe a financial advisor should meet you where you are, whether you’re just starting out or whether you’re in your peak earning years, it should not matter. My mission is to help you build a life that is truly meaningful to you and that starts with getting to know who you are and what matters most to you.

Amy Wrightson is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with six years of industry experience. She previously worked at Edward Jones for six years and spent nearly two decades in behavioral healthcare. Wrightson serves on the Board of Directors for Centerstone of Florida, where she participates in CEO appointment and organizational governance. Ameriprise Financial Services is a diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering specialized retirement income planning focused on dependable income sources and tax-aware withdrawal strategies.

Chia Hsin Chen is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She specializes in working with newly resident clients from the Asia Pacific region, including China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Chen brings to her role extensive knowledge of the financial concerns these clients face in the US market, assisting them in customizing family financial plans upon their arrival in the United States. With over 17 years of experience managing assets for high net worth individuals, families, and institutions, Chen focuses on areas such as college education planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income. She holds a bachelor's degree from National Taiwan University and a master's degree from Boston University. Additionally, she is designated as a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Outside of her professional responsibilities, Chen enjoys interior decorating, spending time with her family, swimming, and traveling.