Independent advisors focused on sandwich generation in Illinois

Kevin Hanrahan is a financial advisor at Merrill with 31 years of industry experience. He has held positions at both Merrill and Bank of America, N.A. since 2009. Hanrahan holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations. Merrill serves a broad range of clients, including individuals, retirement plans, corporations, and institutional clients, offering managed account programs, third-party manager selection, discretionary portfolio management, and brokerage services. The firm integrates deeply with Bank of America affiliates and emphasizes managed account and manager-selection capabilities across multiple program strategies.

Kristin Manna is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors and holds a Series 66 designation. She has one year of industry experience, including roles at Park Avenue Securities, Guardian Life Insurance Company, and Consolidated Planning Holdings, Inc. Prior to entering the financial industry, she worked in education for eight years. Outside of advising, Kristin is an author and publisher of a basketball coaching notebook and works as a math tutor for high school students. Park Avenue Securities serves a broad retail client base with a range of brokerage and advisory services, utilizing proprietary and third-party investment strategies across various account types and investment vehicles.

Charles Bachtell is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Los Angeles, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Western International Securities, Inc. for 13 years. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as President and Managing Partner of the Academy of California Examinations, which provides exam preparation for financial services licensing. LPL Financial offers advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individual investors, retirement plan sponsors, institutions, and high-net-worth households. The firm provides a variety of investment delivery options supported by an in-house Research team and accommodates both advisory and brokerage services tailored to client needs.

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.

Anthony Lyons is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he works alongside a team of financial professionals to provide guidance aimed at helping clients achieve peace of mind and live with purpose. He focuses on actively listening to clients' concerns and suggesting courses of action to support their financial goals. Anthony has held various roles in the financial services industry since 2016, including positions as a Financial Advisor at PNCI and Edward Jones, Private Wealth Advisor at Regions Bank, and Vice President-Planning & Development Manager at Arvest Wealth Management. His experience spans several organizations, reflecting a broad background in financial consulting and wealth management. Outside of his professional work, Anthony has interests in baseball, cars, football, and social events with friends.

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.

Michael Plesh is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in serving business owners and professionals who are aiming for a work-optional lifestyle. He has developed and refined a process designed to help clients put together their financial plans effectively, focusing on optimizing each financial decision rather than merely keeping up with life's demands. Michael holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP) certification and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Southern Maine. His expertise includes equity compensation services, personal retirement planning, tax minimization, and retirement income strategies. Based in Gilbert, AZ, Michael serves clients nationwide. Outside his professional work, Michael enjoys camping, golfing, and spending time with his family. In recognition of his work, he was named to the Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list for 2023, 2024, and 2025.

I believe that everyone should have access to a professional advisor who understands their needs and can help them achieve the lifestyle they desire. As a financial advisor, I am dedicated to learning about your personal goals and using them to build a retirement plan tailored to your unique situation. NexJenn Financial Services was founded in response to the demand for financial planning from my tax clients. Often squeezed between spending for their kids’ education, caring for an elderly relative and saving for their own retirement, many were anxious about their financial future. I have enjoyed helping my clients find a balance and focus on building a strong financial future. I am a CPA® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Professional®, as well as a Retirement Income Certified Professional®. Additionally, I am a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors and the XY Planning Network. In my spare time, my husband and I volunteer at a homeless shelter. I also love to bike and travel and am an aspiring photographer. I have been married for 30 years and together with my awesome husband, we’ve raised three awesome kids.

Charles Lee is a financial advisor at Lexington Avenue Capital Management, LLC with nine years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Lexington Avenue since 2020, following seven years as a self-employed advisor. Lexington Avenue Capital Management provides portfolio management, financial planning, and pension-consulting services to individuals, trusts and estates, small businesses, retirement plans, corporations, and nonprofit organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach using low-fee passive mutual funds and ETFs, while incorporating behavioral finance insights and tailored recommendations based on clients’ broader life circumstances.

As a Certified Financial Planner®, my goal is to help you take charge of your finances without the lecture—just practical advice. My approach provides the tools and know-how to handle your money like a pro—no spreadsheets required (unless you’re into that sort of thing). You’ll walk away making confident financial decisions without second-guessing yourself. You’ll get a custom financial plan made just for you by a CFP® professional—but we don’t just hand it over and wish you luck. We’ll help you actually put it into action, so it doesn’t just gather digital dust.

Jared Fruth is a financial advisor at Northwest Asset Management with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at Securities America, Inc., KMS Financial Services, Inc., Oppenheimer Funds, and John Paul Mitchell Systems. Northwest Asset Management is a registered investment adviser managing approximately $3.6 billion for nearly 3,000 clients, including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, and corporations. The firm employs a customized, fiduciary approach using Modern Portfolio Theory and strategic asset allocation, combining fundamental and technical analysis to build diversified portfolios with periodic rebalancing.

Edwina Martin is a financial advisor at Waverly Advisors, LLC with two years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at 9258 Wealth Management for five years and Teradata Corp for eleven years. In addition to her advisory role, she serves as assistant director of tax planning at 9258 Tax and Planning. Waverly Advisors, LLC is an SEC-registered enterprise adviser serving individuals, corporations, retirement plans, and pooled investment vehicles. The firm offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and fiduciary services, employing a combination of centralized and customized investment strategies across traditional and alternative asset classes.

Craig Mcdaniel Jr. is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC in Columbia, SC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Capital Investment Group, Inc. and The McDaniel Corporation since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in life insurance sales and serves as an independent agent for annuities and related products. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers customized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, using a blend of analytical methods with ongoing portfolio monitoring.

David Hart is a financial advisor with Safeguard Investment Advisory Group, LLC, holding a Series 65 credential and 15 years of industry experience. He has worked with Safeguard since 2020 and previously held roles at LifePro Asset Management, LLC, Martin and Associates Insurance Services, Inc., and Martin Wealth Management, LLC. Hart is also a Certified Financial Fiduciary and volunteers as an instructor with the Foundation for Fiduciary Education (NACFF), providing unbiased fiduciary financial education. Safeguard Investment Advisory Group, LLC serves individual, high-net-worth, institutional, and business clients, offering discretionary portfolio management, access to third-party sub-advisers, and fee-based financial planning. The firm employs a fundamental-analysis investment process with a preferred horizon of two to ten years and manages over $600 million across approximately 1,800 client relationships.

Sarah Currier Barrella is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with 26 years of industry experience. She is currently with Santander Securities LLC and Santander Bank, NA, having previously worked at TD Bank and Citizens Securities, Inc. Barrella holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. Santander Securities LLC provides investment advisory and related services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, charitable organizations, retirement plans, and institutional clients. The firm offers wrap-fee advisory programs and financial planning services, delivering investment advice through the FMAX managed-account platform with discretionary portfolio management and ongoing suitability reviews.