Kelly Kepka

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.

Hi, I'm Larry Pershing, CFP® RMA®, a flat fee financial advisor. I focus on helping people age 55+ with their retirement planning and investment management needs for a FLAT fee. Having worked in various wealth management firms in my career, I was surprised to discover many firms try to service everyone, which leads them to being average for all. Some are more concerned with amassing client assets than providing customized recommendations. I started Optimum Retirement Planning because I saw a need for specialists to help clients navigate the complex and challenging financial aspects of retirement. Our offering is different. We don’t work with everyone. We specialize in helping those who are close to and in retirement. We apply the latest financial research for retirement to help answer your complex financial questions. Optimum Retirement Planning is a flat fee financial advisor. This means we charge differently than most financial advisors. We offer retirement planning and investment management for a flat fee. For too long retirees have been overpaying for financial advice due to large commissions and/or being charged a percentage of their assets. When I’m not in the office, I’m on a tennis court, reading a book (finance or science fiction), or spending time with family and friends. I also volunteer for AARP sponsored events that help seniors receive complimentary financial advice. While I live in Chicago, I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I return often, especially during winter. You can take the guy out of California, but you can’t take the California out of the guy!

As Director of Physician Services at Prism Planning Partners, a fee-only RIA led by CFP® professionals, I lead a dedicated division serving physicians and healthcare professionals nationwide. My team and I specialize in helping medical professionals navigate every stage of their financial journey—from residency and fellowship through practice, career transitions, and retirement. I oversee a team that includes interns, paraplanners, and operations professionals, and collaborate closely with Prism’s Director of Financial Planning and Director of Operations to deliver high-impact, client-centered planning. Focus Areas: • Comprehensive financial planning tailored to physicians and healthcare professionals • Student loan strategies, including PSLF, refinancing, and REPAYE/SAVE optimization • Contract review and benefit analysis • Investment, tax, and estate planning strategies • Risk management (disability, life, long-term care) with no product sales • Burnout prevention and work/life balance strategies • Retirement and career transition planning • Speaking engagements and financial education for medical professionals Select Speaking Engagements: Regular speaker for medical residency and fellowship programs at: Northwestern, Loyola, University of Chicago, Rush, UIC, Cook County, Barnes-Jewish/Wash U, Medical College of Wisconsin, Advocate Aurora, University of Colorado, and more. Also presented for the Illinois Society of Pediatric Dentists, Illinois Pharmacists Association, and multiple private practices and hospital systems.

Amir Jafariaria serves as a Senior Portfolio Advisor and Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He brings a global perspective to his role, shaped by his experiences living in six countries across multiple cities and working in private equity in Istanbul before relocating to the United States in 2014. Since joining Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in 2015, Amir has focused on delivering comprehensive wealth management services and proactive financial strategies tailored to his clients' diverse needs. With a background rooted in an entrepreneurial family and professional experience spanning private equity, start-ups, and wealth management, Amir specializes in areas including college education planning, employee benefits planning, executive and equity compensation services, family wealth management strategies, institutional and corporate benefit services, and wealth planning for LGBT and women clients. He integrates his services with clients’ external advisors such as attorneys, tax professionals, business managers, and family offices. Amir holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), both from Eastern Mediterranean University. He also holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and is proficient in English, Persian, and Turkish. Outside of his professional life, Amir’s personal interests include bungee jumping, cooking, pickleball, refereeing, skiing, soccer, table tennis, and tennis.

Brian Segura is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2025. He works with clients across various financial situations, including retirement planning, investment guidance, insurance, college planning, and long-term care considerations. He focuses on building long-term relationships with clients to ensure their financial plans meet the unique needs of their families. Prior to his current role, Brian served as an Investment Consultant at Fidelity Investments from 2023 to 2024. He has also held several positions at Merrill Lynch and Merrill Edge between 2018 and 2023, including Market Supervision Manager, Supervision Principal, Team Lead, and Financial Service Representative. His professional experience encompasses a broad range of financial services and client support. Outside of his professional work, Brian has interests in football, golf, movies, parenthood, reading, and traveling.