John Mclaughlin

My name is Trishul Patel, CFP®, MBA. I achieved financial independence before 40, and with my 100% virtual advisory business, I get up every day to help others do the same. To get where I am, I prioritized aggressive savings and identified the things that are truly important in my life. Beyond finance and investing, I am an entrepreneur and problem solver at heart. Creativity and curiosity have always been a part of me. At an early age, I began soldering analog circuits, building computers, and programming simple games. Academically, I also have a few degrees from Cornell University. I have been investing for over two decades. Over my professional career, I’ve designed large-scale financial applications for tier-one banks. I likewise managed an exotic options book for a private firm based out of Southeast Asia, generating over $750 million in revenue in three years. And I was a Portfolio Manager for a Hedge Fund, managing over $100 million in assets. Nothing inspires me more than discovering others who are following their dreams. I often feed off the energy of those around me and I enjoy healthy debate and intellectual discourse, especially when it comes to topics that I love and enjoy, such as investing. From my perspective, I simply possess an insatiable desire to learn, understand, and help others. These days, in addition to helping my clients accomplish their financial and investment goals, I also enjoy blogging, podcasting, biking, and hiking with my wife and daughter.

Chris Kolasinski is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings 25 years of experience in financial advising, focusing on areas such as college education planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, tax minimization, and retirement income. Chris emphasizes personalized wealth management strategies that align with clients' values and goals, facilitating ongoing collaboration to help clients pursue their financial objectives and plan their legacies. Born in Poland and raised in the United States, Chris developed an early passion for investing while studying Finance at the University of Florida, where he earned his bachelor's degree. Over his career, he obtained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®) designation and serves as a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Committed to community involvement, Chris volunteers with local organizations, reflecting the Merrill tradition of service. His personal interests include basketball, soccer, swimming, and tennis.

Peter McCaughan is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he has been working since 2019. In his current role, he partners with individuals and families to create tailored financial plans aimed at helping them achieve their personal and financial goals by leveraging Fidelity's resources. Peter has been with Fidelity Investments since 2015, progressing through several roles including Workplace Planning and Guidance Associate, Relationship Manager, Investment Consultant, and now Financial Consultant. This experience has provided him with a broad understanding of financial planning and client relationship management within the firm.

Kyle Kszepka is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2022. He has been with Fidelity since 2018, progressing through positions including Investment Consultant, Relationship Manager, and Financial Representative. His professional focus involves partnering with clients to understand various aspects of financial planning and designing personalized financial road maps. Kyle works closely with clients to adjust these plans as their goals and preferences evolve, emphasizing a thorough planning process and relationship-building. Throughout his tenure at Fidelity, Kyle has developed expertise in financial consulting and investment management. He is committed to collaborating with clients to achieve their financial objectives through tailored strategies. Outside of his professional role, Kyle enjoys family activities, golf, and traveling.

Richard Wilt is Senior Resident Director and Senior Vice President with the Wilt/Polin Group in Palm Beach, Florida. The Wilt/Polin Group is a team of financial advisors and registered client associates offering wealth management services to individual and corporate clients. The group uses a goals-based wealth management process to understand clients’ objectives and develop personalized financial strategies. Richard has been in the financial services industry since 1988. He previously served as Vice President with Smith Barney in Manalapan, Florida and has conducted over 100 seminars as well as appeared as a guest speaker at nationwide conferences. His client focus areas include college education planning, divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, and portfolio management services. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Foreign Language from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia and studied international business and language at the University of Madrid, Spain. Additionally, Richard attended the School of Mortgage Banking at the University of Vermont. His professional designations include CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Richard is involved in his community through St. Matthew Church and West Boynton Little League.

Lissette Espana is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where she has worked since 1993. She serves as the senior partner of the GR Wealth Management Group, focusing on delivering a comprehensive wealth management approach tailored to clients’ individual priorities, financial situations, and goals. Her team works with multi-generation families, corporate executives, business owners, and physicians, offering personalized strategies that consider factors such as risk tolerance, liquidity needs, and investment objectives. Lissette assists clients by leveraging Merrill’s investment insights and the banking services of Bank of America to address various aspects of their financial lives. Lissette holds several professional designations, including Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Economics from Barat College of Lake Forest, which was later acquired by DePaul University. As a Senior Portfolio Advisor within Merrill’s Investment Advisory Program, she manages custom investment strategies on a discretionary basis, selecting from a wide range of Merrill and third-party portfolios. Outside of her professional work, Lissette lives in the Northern Suburbs with her husband and two sons. The family supports various humanitarian and research organizations, including the American Cancer Society, United Way, and Special Olympics. In her spare time, Lissette enjoys hiking, interior decorating, traveling, and spending time with her family. She is fluent in English and Spanish.