Basil Alsikafi is the sole advisor at White Brook Capital, an independent firm based in Winnetka, IL. He holds a Series 65 designation and has nine years of industry experience, including ten years with White Brook Capital. White Brook Capital provides discretionary portfolio management through separately managed accounts and model portfolios for high-net-worth individuals, trusts, estates, and other entities such as pensions and foundations. The firm employs a primarily bottom-up, value-oriented investment approach combined with top-down industry assessment and applies socially responsible exclusions across all strategies.

Curtis Bergquist is a CFP® with 49 years of industry experience and is the sole advisor at Ameribanc Corporation in Hoffman Estates, IL. He has been associated with Ausdal Financial Partners, Inc. since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, he is the owner of Ameribanc, where he engages in asset management. Ameribanc provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals and families, primarily through its Capital Management Service (CMS), which incorporates market-timing signals and a combination of fundamental and technical analysis to manage risk and adjust portfolio exposure.

Shreekkanth Viswanathan is a CFA® charterholder and holds the Series 66 designation with nine years of industry experience. He has been with SVN Capital, LLC since its founding in 2018, following three years at Keeley Asset Management. SVN Capital, LLC is a state-registered investment adviser serving individual and institutional clients with discretionary portfolio management, including separately managed accounts and a pooled private fund. The firm employs a bottom-up, fundamental value-investing approach focused on a concentrated portfolio and long-term horizon, managing approximately $14.3 million in discretionary assets.

Gary Byrne is a financial advisor at Carlisle Financial Management, LLC with 19 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at Great Northern Financial since 2006. Carlisle Financial Management provides portfolio management and investment supervisory services to individual and high-net-worth clients, utilizing both fundamental and technical analysis. The firm employs a range of strategies including options writing and short-term trading, managing approximately $38.2 million for about 25 clients without account minimums.

Robert Salzman is a CFP® professional with 12 years of experience in financial advising. He is the sole advisor at RB Salzman Wealth Management, LLC, an independent firm he has led since 2015. The firm provides wealth and investment advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, pension and profit-sharing plans, and other institutions. RB Salzman Wealth Management emphasizes a goal-focused wealth analysis and strategic planning approach, incorporating diversified portfolios, scenario analyses, and regular reviews to manage approximately $35.6 million in assets across 29 client relationships.

Brenda Knox is a CFP® with 26 years of industry experience. She has been with Financial Elements, Inc. since 2008. Financial Elements, Inc. provides comprehensive financial planning and discretionary investment management for individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm emphasizes strategic asset allocation based on Modern Portfolio Theory, using globally diversified portfolios primarily composed of mutual funds and ETFs, and operates as a small, fee-only advisory practice with multiple professional fiduciary credentials.

Daniel Short is the sole advisor at Directional Asset Management, LLC in Arlington Heights, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations with 28 years of industry experience. He has worked at JVM Securities LLC and JVM Realty Corp prior to his current role since 2010. Outside of his advisory work, he manages commercial real estate property leased to his firm. Directional Asset Management provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as charitable organizations. The firm employs a combination of charting, fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis and utilizes strategies including leverage, derivatives, and options within separately managed accounts.

Nancy Doyle is a CFA® charterholder with one year of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Manage Your Financial Life in Northfield, IL. She has been associated with The Doyle Group, LLC since 2003. Manage Your Financial Life is an independent, fee-only advisory firm that provides financial consulting and planning to individuals and high-net-worth clients. The firm offers collaborative, hourly-based planning engagements, blending traditional investment analysis with financial therapy, and does not provide discretionary portfolio management or custody of client assets.

William Ake is a financial advisor at Van Ake Capital LLC with 19 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked at Van Ake Capital since 2017, following positions at Western International Securities, Inc. and Fort Sheridan Advisors. Van Ake Capital LLC provides fee-based portfolio management services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and small business entities. The firm manages approximately $23 million across a limited number of client relationships, offering personalized asset management and employing a combination of fundamental and technical analysis alongside option strategies when appropriate.

James Pattie is the sole advisor at Horizon Capital Management, LLC in Lake Forest, Illinois. He holds a Series 65 designation and has 21 years of industry experience, including 22 years with Horizon Capital Management. Horizon Capital Management provides discretionary investment management to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and pension or profit-sharing plans, and also offers sub-advisory asset management to other registered investment advisers. The firm’s approach is based on Modern Portfolio Theory, emphasizing diversified allocations, a buy-and-hold strategy, and regular portfolio reviews.

Kevin Hebson is the principal of Kevin Hebson & Company, an independent advisory firm, with 46 years of industry experience. He has operated his own consulting and advisory business since 1993 and previously worked at Investors Capital Corporation from 2010 to 2016. Outside of advisory services, he also manages a tax planning and bookkeeping business under New Cumnock Consulting, Inc. Kevin Hebson & Company provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm uses a combination of fundamental analysis, technical charting, and Modern Portfolio Theory to manage discretionary portfolios and offers business-oriented planning services alongside traditional financial advice.

Mark Kollar is the principal of Kollar Wealth Advisors, LLC in Northbrook, IL, with 32 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Kollar Wealth Advisors since 2009. Kollar also has extensive experience in estate planning and insurance services dating back to 1995. Outside of his advisory work, he is the chairman and founder of the Myositis Association Cup Golf Challenge Trust, a nonprofit fundraising initiative. Kollar Wealth Advisors provides personalized financial planning and discretionary investment management to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm employs a goal- and risk-based investment process and manages approximately $12.4 million across about 40 client relationships.

Brian Rhoads is a CFA® charterholder and the principal of Checkpoint Financial Planning in Highland Park, IL, with two years of experience in financial advising. He previously worked for 18 years at Quantitative Risk Management. Checkpoint Financial Planning provides fee-only, advice-only financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses through project-based engagements, focusing on areas such as retirement strategies, estate planning, and business planning. The firm emphasizes risk-aware, tax-conscious planning and delivers written reports following video consultations, without managing client assets or charging fees based on assets under management.

Jeffrey Cohen is a financial advisor at US Advanced Computing Infrastructure, Inc. with a Series 65 designation and four years of industry experience. Prior to founding his firm in 2018, he worked at International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation for three years. US Advanced Computing Infrastructure provides non-discretionary stock analysis and quantitative research to institutional investors, accredited high-net-worth clients, and individual investors. The firm uses a proprietary quantitative algorithm called the Chicago Quantum Net Score to evaluate stocks and construct portfolios, delivering services primarily through written reports, client-directed research, and subscription-based content.

Michael Vodicka is the principal of Vodicka Group, Inc., an independent advisory firm based in Highland Park, IL. He holds a Series 65 designation and has 16 years of industry experience. Vodicka has led his firm since 2011, with prior experience as a portfolio manager and derivatives trader. Vodicka Group, Inc. provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals and small corporations. The firm offers discretionary account management and customized investment strategies that incorporate asset allocation, technical analysis, and both long- and short-term trading, serving a client base that includes small corporate clients as well as individual households.

Matthew Nordman is a financial advisor with Crown Financial Group, Inc., holding a Series 65 designation and 28 years of industry experience. He operates as the sole advisor at an independent firm. Crown Financial Group provides investment supervisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individual and institutional investors such as corporate pension plans, charitable institutions, and municipalities. The firm employs a multi-method investment process incorporating technical, cyclical, and fundamental analysis and offers a range of strategies from long-term buy-and-hold to short-term trading.

Michael Zales is the owner and sole advisor of Zales Investment Management, Inc., an independent firm based in Colorado Springs, CO. He holds a Series 63 designation and has 27 years of industry experience. Zales has operated his firm since 1982. Zales Investment Management provides discretionary, fee-only portfolio management to individuals and trusts. The firm employs a concentrated, long-term investment approach based on fundamental analysis, typically holding no more than ten companies with positions maintained for at least ten years.

Mark Johnson is a financial advisor with Dogwood Investment Advisors in Northbrook, IL. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 12 years of industry experience, including a prior role at TransUnion, LLC. He has operated Dogwood Investment Advisors since 2014. Dogwood Investment Advisors serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities, providing fee-based discretionary portfolio management and standalone financial planning. The firm employs a tactical allocation approach using fundamental, cyclical, and technical analysis, with portfolio decisions made on a discretionary basis and tailored to client goals. Its single-advisor structure and provision of written communications such as periodicals and newsletters distinguish it from similar independent firms.

I'm Matthew, the founder of Maplewood Wealth, and I'll admit it—I'm a financial planning nerd. While I geek out over optimizing finances and taxes for my clients, what truly excites me is witnessing the transformation in their lives as they gain confidence in their financial decisions. At Maplewood Wealth, I've created a fresh approach to financial planning that resonates with fellow millennials who've found success early in their careers. I understand that for our generation, true financial confidence goes beyond mere numbers—it's about aligning our money with our values and goals to design the lifestyle we want. My approach allows you to enjoy life now while also securing a fulfilling future. Based in the Chicagoland area, I bring both professional expertise and relatable life experience to my practice. As a young father balancing career and family life, I intimately understand the challenges and aspirations you face. Whether you're a young professional building a strong financial foundation, a "surprised affluent" navigating sudden wealth, or part of a growing family juggling multiple financial priorities, I tailor my approach to your unique situation. With Maplewood Wealth, you're not just getting a financial planner—you're gaining a dedicated partner in navigating life's changes and achieving your dreams without stress. Let's work together to create a financial plan that empowers you to live your best life, both now and in the future.

Patrick Crowley is a financial advisor at Crowley Capital Management LLC with 19 years of industry experience. Prior to founding his independent firm in 2024, he worked for 11 years at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. He holds a Series 66 designation. Outside of his advisory role, he is listed as treasurer and vice president of a family-owned real estate company. Crowley Capital Management provides discretionary asset management and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, small businesses, and estates. The firm customizes portfolio management based on client objectives and risk tolerance, utilizing fundamental and technical analysis, and may employ third-party sub-advisors.