Top financial advisors working with sales professionals 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.

Shaun Kiriu is a financial advisor at Edward Jones with a Series 66 designation and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he spent 12 years at Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment solutions supported by a large national network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Matthew Kilmer serves as Sales Manager and Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has worked since 1998. In this role, he focuses on assisting high-net-worth individuals, families, business owners, and corporate executives with tailored wealth management strategies that align with their long-term goals and priorities. His expertise includes advising on business succession, liquidity events, wealth preservation, multi-generational planning, executive compensation, retirement planning, and managing concentrated equity positions. Matt holds several professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP), Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC). He is also designated by Merrill as a Retirement Benefits Consultant, working with corporate and institutional retirement plans of $10 million or more. A cum laude graduate of the University of Rochester, he has been recognized on the Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list from 2018 through 2026. Beyond his client work, Matt holds leadership roles within Merrill and is active in community service. He currently serves as Chair of the Merrill Financial Advisor Advisory Council to Management (ACTM), representing Merrill advisors nationwide. He has over 15 years of leadership and board service with the Greater Rochester YMCA, including roles as Board Chair and Annual Campaign Chair. Matt resides in Pittsford, New York, with his wife and three daughters, and enjoys boating, golfing, skiing, and spending time with his family.

Ascension Advisors was created to deliver a more personalized level of service and financial planning. I believe an investment strategy should align with one's values, priorities, and purpose. I created a firm where advisors have the flexibility, technology, and autonomy to craft tailored strategies that empower clients to pursue their goals with intention and confidence. Early in my career, I learned to value quality over quantity—sometimes, less is more. Deep, meaningful relationships built on empathy and trust are the foundation of delivering true client value. Managed growth enables me to cultivate these relationships with intention and provide exceptional client experiences, regardless of client net worth. The need for comprehensive, personalized fiduciary financial planning continues to grow—particularly among select client segments. Ascension Advisors was created to meet that demand. While the core principles of building, managing, protecting, and transferring wealth remain constant, the broader economic and capital markets landscape is dynamic and continuously evolving. Clients are well served when partnering with an advisor who genuinely understands and appreciates their journey—and is committed to helping them reach their destination.

I founded Geiser Wealth Planning, LLC to help busy people by being their reliable, personal point of contact and to assist them with the important questions and decisions they face in the financial side of their lives. I have over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry with 18 years specifically focused on helping individuals meet their financial goals. Geiser Wealth Planning, LLC provides wealth and investment management using the Assets Under Management fee structure. Geiser Wealth Planning, LLC also specializes in helping Sales Professionals in the Pharmaceutical/Medical Supply and Healthcare industry. Please visit www.geiserwealthplanning.com for more details and information.

Jeffrey Smith is a CFP® professional with 21 years of experience in financial advising. He has been the sole advisor at North Shore Investment Consulting LLC since 2004. North Shore Investment Consulting LLC provides fee-only investment management, comprehensive financial planning, and consulting primarily to high-net-worth individuals, professionals, retirees, and select profit-sharing plans. The firm emphasizes Modern Portfolio Theory, diversification, indexing, and quantitative optimization, managing portfolios largely on a non-discretionary basis with client consent for trades.