Top startup equity planning financial advisors in Schaumburg, IL

The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.

If you have startup equity like stock options or restricted stock units (RSUs), you need an advisor who understands how to plan for their unique tax and liquidity challenges. A common mistake is treating startup equity like regular investments, which can lead to unexpected tax bills or missed opportunities.

  • Equity type expertise. Confirm they know the differences between options, RSUs, and other startup equity forms, as each has distinct tax and exercise rules.
  • Exit event planning. Ask how they help you prepare for liquidity events like IPOs or acquisitions, ensuring you manage taxes and timing effectively.
  • Tax impact awareness. Illinois has no tax on retirement income, but property taxes can be high; check how they factor state-specific taxes into your equity planning.
  • Vesting schedule management. Understand how they advise on exercising or selling shares as they vest to optimize your financial outcome.

Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.

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Janet R

Series 66

Schaumburg, IL

Lincoln Investment

Janet Redding is a financial advisor with Lincoln Investment in Schaumburg, IL, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 21 years of industry experience. She has been with Lincoln Investment Planning since 2013 and previously worked at Legend Advisory, LLC, Oberweis Securities, Inc., and Ameritas Investment Company, LLC. Lincoln Investment Planning, LLC is a large enterprise advisory and broker-dealer serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, charities, and corporate and ERISA retirement plans. The firm offers financial planning, portfolio management, and advisor-led consulting with a robust in-house investment management team that constructs model portfolios and employs third-party managers.

Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Business ownership considerations Business succession planning Equity compensation tax strategy Educators, Teachers, and Academics Founder/Business Owner Executive Self-Employed Mid-Career Professionals Retired
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Eeshan A

Series 65

Schaumburg, IL

Baker Street Investment Partners LLC

Eeshan Ahuja is a financial advisor at Baker Street Investment Partners LLC with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked as an independent private equity investor and at Woodlawn Partners. Baker Street Investment Partners provides discretionary investment management primarily to pooled vehicles and institutional-type clients, serving a broad mix of entities including banks, sovereign wealth funds, pension plans, and charitable organizations. The firm’s investment approach focuses on fundamental analysis and concentrated, long-term equity ownership, with flexibility to invest across various asset classes and employ derivatives, margin, and short-selling as appropriate.

Active portfolio management Options & derivatives strategies Concentrated stock management Private / alternative investments
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Tomio N

Series 63, Series 66

Schaumburg, IL

LPL Financial

Tomio Nanto is a financial advisor with LPL Financial based in Schaumburg, IL. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has eight years of industry experience. Prior to LPL Financial, he worked at BMO Bank NA and BMO Harris Bank. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, model portfolio programs, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Wealth management Retirement income strategy College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Tax-loss harvesting Annuities Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Andrew S

Series 66

Schaumburg, IL

Ameriprise

Andrew Sessa Jr. is a financial advisor at Ameriprise in Naperville, IL, holding a Series 66 designation with two years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Norina Farms, The Saloon, Exactus Advisors, and the University of Iowa. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service focused on individuals approaching or in retirement who meet specific asset criteria, providing written Recommendation Reports that cover income sources, Social Security options, and tax-smart withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver customized, algorithm-assisted retirement planning recommendations.

Retirement income strategy Income planning Social Security optimization Retirement withdrawal strategies Approaching retirement

Nicole S

CFP®, Series 66

Schaumburg, IL

Edward Jones

Nicole Schelkopf is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Schaumburg, IL, holding CFP® and Series 66 credentials with 10 years of industry experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2015. Outside of her advisory role, she is a co-owner and partner of NAS Farms, a farming business in Chicago. 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, operating under a fiduciary standard.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Retirement income strategy General retirement planning Wealth management General estate planning guidance Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive Women's Finance Women Professionals

Kimberly H

CFP®, CRPC®

Troy, MI

Innermost Wealth Management, LLC

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.

General retirement planning General tax planning Wealth management Startup equity planning Divorce financial planning Women Professionals Life coaching / goal alignment Established Professionals Approaching retirement Dual Income Family

George S

Series 66

Hartford, CT

Merrill

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.

Exec comp design Startup equity planning Liquidity event planning Wealth management ESG / Sustainable investing Founder/Business Owner Executive

James V

Series 66

Stuart, FL

Fidelity

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.

Exec comp design Liquidity event planning Startup equity planning Executive

Adam N

CFP®, Series 66

Mankato, MN

Edward Jones

Adam Neubauer is a CFP® professional with 12 years of experience in financial advising, currently working at Edward Jones since 2014. He holds the Series 66 designation and is based in Mankato, MN. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee solutions, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Retirement income strategy Charitable giving & philanthropy College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) General estate planning guidance Retirement withdrawal strategies Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Juan P

Series 66

San Francisco, CA

Optimo Capital

Juan Polanco is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Optimo Capital in San Francisco, CA, and has 11 years of industry experience. Before founding Optimo Capital, he worked at Carr & Ferrell LLP for two years. Outside of his advisory role, Mr. Polanco works full-time as an engineer at PacBio and mentors startups and founders at the Founder's Institute and LoyalVC. Optimo Capital advises founders of venture-backed companies, recently funded startups, and private investors on portfolio supervision and capital-raising. The firm uses a combined top‑down and bottom‑up analytical approach with a supervisory and consultative model, focusing on tailored services such as Investment Policy Statements, due diligence management, and pitch material preparation.

Business ownership considerations Wealth management Founder/Business Owner

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