Samantha Baghal

Bryan Zegar is a CFP® professional with six years of experience in the financial services industry. He is the principal advisor at Hearthstead Financial, LLC, where he has worked since 2025. Prior to this, he spent seven years at Ameriprise and AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES, Inc. Outside of finance, he is involved with Allshapes Bonsai Nursery, where he assists with inventory management, customer support, and technology. Hearthstead Financial is a registered investment adviser that provides investment management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses. The firm employs a mixed-methods investment approach combining fundamental and charting analysis with mutual fund and ETF evaluation, focusing on both passive and active strategies implemented on a non-discretionary basis.

John Macmillan is the sole advisor at Macmillan Financial LLC in Annandale, NJ, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations with 20 years of industry experience. He has worked at Macmillan Agencies since 2006. Macmillan Financial provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals and institutional clients, including pension plans, businesses, charities, and trusts. The firm follows a fundamental, research-driven approach that emphasizes long-term investing while allowing short-term trades when appropriate, managing client accounts with limited discretionary authority.

J. Manley is a CFA® charterholder with 12 years of industry experience. He has been the sole advisor at Manley Capital Management, LLC since 2013. Manley Capital Management provides discretionary investment advisory services and financial planning to individuals, trusts, endowments, and other institutions. The firm employs a value-driven, economically balanced asset-allocation strategy that incorporates equities, fixed income, commodities, and currencies, with portfolio adjustments based on market valuation and risk-reward considerations.

Robert Stickel is a CFP® and CPA with 29 years of experience in financial advising. He is the sole advisor at RLS Financial Services, an independent firm he has operated since 2011. Prior to founding RLS Financial Services, he worked at Avantax Advisory Services and Avantax Investment Services Inc. In addition to his advisory role, Stickel provides tax preparation, accounting, and insurance services. RLS Financial Services offers financial planning and investment advice to individuals and high-net-worth clients, utilizing fundamental analysis and a mix of long- and short-term trading strategies. The firm primarily provides non-discretionary advice and delivers financial plans as one-time reports, with a notable role as sponsor and portfolio manager for a wrap fee program.

Donald Ballai is the principal of South Lane Wealth Management LLC in Ringoes, NJ, with 15 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has led South Lane Wealth Management since 2013. Outside of his advisory role, he manages South Lane Advisors LLC, a consulting firm assisting medical groups with business planning and financial matters, and is involved with Life's Essential Documents LLC and Apptitude LLC, companies focused on medical legal forms and healthcare applications respectively. South Lane Wealth Management LLC offers fee-based wealth and portfolio management services for individuals and small businesses, including pension consulting and 401(k) plan sponsorship. The firm employs a documented investment policy, discretionary management, and a combination of analytical strategies across various asset classes, while also providing institutional-type services such as monitoring pension plans and recommending plan service providers.

Marjorie Rand is a CFP® professional with seven years of experience in financial advising. She is the sole advisor at Rand Financial Planning, LLC and also owns Marjorie L. Rand, CPA, P.C., an accounting and tax preparation firm. She has provided accounting services since 1989 and financial planning since 2018. Rand Financial Planning, LLC is a fee-only firm serving individuals and families with comprehensive financial planning, including tax, retirement, estate, insurance, and investment guidance. The firm operates as a small, single-advisor practice that emphasizes fixed annual planning engagements without asset-based fees and integrates tax considerations through its affiliation with a separate CPA practice.