Top advisors focused on startup equity planning 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.

I founded Innermost™ Wealth Management to create a more personal, thoughtful approach to financial planning and wealth management. My background in both finance and psychology shaped my belief that money is not just about numbers. It is deeply personal and connected to your values, goals, and life experiences. I work with professionals who want to grow and simplify their wealth, with a special focus on women navigating career growth, equity compensation, and major life transitions such as divorce. Many of my clients are balancing busy lives and complex financial decisions, and they value having a long-term financial partner who truly understands their needs. My firm is centered on ongoing wealth management through investment advisory relationships. Clients work with me for comprehensive financial planning and investment management that evolves with them over time. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® Candidate, I provide technical expertise and strategic guidance, while also recognizing the emotional side of financial decisions. My approach is compassionate, judgment-free, and designed to reduce stress while helping you feel more confident in your choices. I operate a fully virtual firm, working with clients across the country who appreciate flexibility and convenience. My goal is to simplify your financial life, provide clear advice, and help you align your wealth with what matters most to you. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, photography, cooking, and spending quality time with my Beagle, Gracie.

George Silvester is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving as a member of the Boston Executive Services Team since 2017. He works primarily with founders, executives, and key associates at both privately held and publicly traded companies, focusing on the intricacies of equity ownership and equity compensation. George's approach begins with understanding what is most important to his clients and assessing their current position relative to their goals, ultimately developing customized financial strategies that align with their evolving life needs, resources, and aspirations. George began his career at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management as a Summer Analyst in 2016, where he developed an understanding of the client-advisor relationship and the collaborative pursuit of clients’ life goals. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in Finance from Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business. Additionally, George has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation awarded by the College for Financial Planning, as well as the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of his professional work, George’s personal interests include biking, bowling, chess, cooking, golfing, hiking, and reading.

James Van Nice is a Benefits & Planning Consultant specializing in Executive Services. In this role, he partners with executives to help them understand their employer benefits and develop plans to work towards their financial goals. James has professional experience as an Investment Solutions Representative III at Fidelity Investments from 2023 to 2025 and as an Investment Solutions Representative II at Fidelity Investments from 2022 to 2023. Prior to that, he worked at Merrill Lynch as an Investment Solutions Representative I from 2021 to 2022 and as a Financial Advisor from 2018 to 2019. Outside of his professional work, James engages in fishing, fitness, golf, running, and volunteering.

Adam Neubauer is a CFP® with 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2014 and is based in Mankato, MN. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a wide range of investment strategies and affiliated services through a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Juan Polanco is a financial advisor at Optimo Capital with 10 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked previously at Carr & Ferrell LLP before joining PacBio in 2017, where he currently works full-time as an engineer. In addition to his advisory role, he mentors startups and founders through the Founder's Institute and LoyalVC. Optimo Capital serves emerging companies, startups, and their founders, executives, and employees by providing portfolio supervision and a range of financial advisory services. The firm combines top-down macro analysis with bottom-up credit and security research, offering strategic consulting and flexible fee arrangements without account minimums.