At Wysopal Wealth, we specialize in helping high-income professionals and former athletes manage the complexities of equity compensation and variable income. Our goal is to make sure your money works for you—today and for the future. We focus on creating personalized, values-driven financial plans that allow you to live fully now while planning for what’s next. I’m Brett Wysopal, a proud girl dad of two and a former minor pro hockey player. My experience in sports taught me discipline, focus, and resilience, all of which I apply to financial planning. After spending years navigating the world of equity compensation, I’ve made it my mission to help families simplify their finances, reduce tax burdens, and achieve their life goals. Our approach at Wysopal Wealth is rooted in personalized attention. We keep our client list small, ensuring every client receives the time and care they deserve. We dive deep into your financial situation, understanding your numbers, values, and what matters most to you. This allows us to tailor your financial strategy to your unique goals, whether that’s managing your equity, preparing for retirement, or planning a family legacy. Equity compensation is often the largest part of our clients' wealth, but it comes with complexities—ISOs, RSUs, stock options, and significant tax implications. Many people wait too long to make decisions about their equity, resulting in missed opportunities or unexpected tax bills. At Wysopal Wealth, we take a proactive approach, creating a strategy for when and how to execute your equity plans, minimize tax liability, and diversify your holdings. At Wysopal Wealth, financial happiness is the goal. We believe that money should support the life you want, and we’re here to help you make that happen.

Holistic financial planning for creatives, freelancers, small business owners, and independent thinkers. Indie Financial Planning is a woman-run, fee only financial planning firm with a background in arts and entertainment. We are licensed in Illinois and California. Before becoming a CFP® Professional, I spent over 20 years working in the independent music industry. I have a unique awareness of the challenges facing artists, creatives, or anyone looking to build a career or business not tied to a traditional 9-5 position. IFP caters to self-employed entrepreneurs or anyone looking to plan for a future on their own terms. I founded IFP as an alternative to a financial industry widely viewed as only serving the very wealthy. There are no investment minimums to work with IFP. We are an independent resource ready to partner with you when you are ready to take control of your financial life. Whatever your planning needs – from investments to budgeting – IFP will consider the many moving parts of your situation and work with you to build a plan based on trust. We focus on holistic planning and helping to educate you, so you are better positioned to achieve your goals. We treat planning as a partnership. We provide you with the tools and knowledge to take control of your finances. We offer advice and expertise to answer your questions and pursue your goals. Investment management and ongoing planning allows us to create a roadmap with clients and travel that path with them adjusting to changes along the way. After graduating from Pomona College with degrees in Economics and French, I moved from California to Boston for a change of scenery. There, I began working in a record store and eventually moved into sales and distribution for a small independent record label. I continued working in independent music when I moved to Chicago including 16 years as Head of Sales and Distribution for Touch and Go Records. When I left the music industry in 2009, I saw an opportunity to offer financial planning and investment advice to the many talented and creative folks in my circle of friends and others like them. Outside of work, I have a soft spot for animals including my 2 cats and 2 dogs all rescued from Chicago area rescues. The dogs arrived at the house as 2-week-old puppies along with their mama dog and 7 siblings during the 2020 Covid pandemic. If the pets give me the I still enjoy seeing live music and enjoy the many venues around Chicago.

Colin founded Mindful Money Financial Counsel in 2010 and has over 18 years of experience talking with people about money. Prior to founding the company, he worked at Fidelity Investments for 10 years in a variety of positions: service and trading representative, retirement investment specialist, investment representative, financial planning consultant, and Vice President Senior Account Executive. He received an MBA with a finance concentration from Xavier University and a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Ohio University. Colin is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, and a Registered Investment Adviser. He specializes in providing holistic financial planning and investment advice to Chicagoland individuals and couples in their 30’s and 40’s. Colin is an early riser, an Eagle Scout, and eager to lend a hand. He was born in Dayton, Ohio and lived in Waldorf, Maryland and Cincinnati, Ohio before moving to Chicago in 2003.

Hi, I’m Emi! I’m so glad you came across my profile. Here is a little about me and why I started my firm: I am a first-generation wealth builder, first-generation immigrant, first in my family to graduate college, start a business, and earn more than my parents. With every “first” came excitement but also uncertainty. Managing money, making financial decisions, and building long-term wealth felt overwhelming—because no one had taught me how. I know firsthand the challenges that come with navigating finances without guidance especially as a woman. I founded MyGen Planning to serve first-generation wealth builders and independent-minded professionals in their 20s, 30s, and 40s—who are building financial security — often for the first time — on their own terms. As we like to say, “The first in your family, but not alone.” There are four ways to work with us: Ongoing Financial Planning |Project-Based |Hourly Financial Planning |Investment Management Head over to mygenplanning.com to see how we serve our clients.

We guide First Gen Wealth Builders to align money with purpose. When you’re a First Gen, the financial safety net didn’t exist. You built your own. We partner with individuals, families, and entrepreneurs who’ve built success from the ground up. Does this sound like you? You’re ready for guidance that feels aligned, not intimidating. Advice that honors where you came from and helps you build what’s next. Hiring a financial planner? That’s new territory. No one in your family has done this before. Success has evolved. The questions are bigger now — more strategic, more intentional. -How do I balance saving and investing for my family with still having the freedom to travel, be present and enjoy life? -How do we protect what we’ve built, legally, financially, and emotionally, in a system that wasn’t built for us? -How do I make smarter decisions around taxes, equity comp, and investments, without second-guessing every move? Enter FirstGen Wealth: A Financial Life Planning Practice - Independent - Fee-Only (one flat fee for financial planning and Investment Management) -Fiduciary 100% of the time - Virtual - Based in Chicago and work with clients nationwide (most clients are in CA, NY, NJ, WA, VA, GA, and TX) Meet Valerie Rivera, CFP®, Founder & Financial Planner: -CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with nearly 20 years of experience advising clients with $10–$20 million portfolios. Now using that same expertise to empower First Gen Wealth Builders. -Wife, mother, homeowner, and business owner bringing real-world perspective to every financial plan. - A proud First Gen who built her own financial safety net and reached Coast FI by 40. Passionate about tax planning, travel, and helping others design lives of freedom and purpose. Her six-year-old has already visited more than 15 countries, and I’m always planning the next four. -Culturally competent, inclusive, and a proud LGBTQ+ ally committed to financial equity and social justice.

Amy Rosenow is the founder of Bold Vision Financial (formerly Fearless Financial Planning), an advice-only financial planning and education firm focused on women, families, and entrepreneurs. Prior to Bold Vision, Amy worked as a consultant providing strategic advisory and outsourced COO services to growing start-ups and small businesses. Amy also founded Jugl LLC, a software company focused on making it easier to be a working parent. Before Jugl, Amy served as Partner, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Compliance Officer of Sheffield Asset Management, L.L.C. for over a decade. In this role, she oversaw a variety of functions including operations, client service, investor relations, marketing, risk management, compliance, and technology for the Chicago-based investment management firm. She began her career on Wall Street, working for Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, and Bear Stearns. She also serves as President of both RUOK Management investment partnership and Kaplan Rosenow Family Foundation. Amy graduated from Cornell University. She lives in Chicago with her husband, two daughters, and their two Labrador retrievers. She is involved in a variety of community and non-profit initiatives, serving as Treasurer on the board of Temple Sholom of Chicago, as a member of the President’s Council of Cornell Women and the Economic Club of Chicago, and as a mentor at 1871, Chicago’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology. In addition, she is the co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer of the Josephine Collective, a women-led group of angel investors co-investing small amounts in early-stage startups.

Myranda Johnson is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In her role, she works closely with clients to understand their financial goals and develop strategies that address their short-, mid-, and long-term objectives. She provides guidance on a range of topics including general investing, retirement planning, and saving for unforeseen events. Additionally, she facilitates access to Bank of America specialists for services such as banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. Myranda holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned her High School Diploma from Geneva High School. She emphasizes a client-focused approach, aiming to uncover what matters most to clients and their families to create tailored financial strategies.

Benjamin Crowder is a Senior Financial Advisor and First Vice President with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, based in the Chicago office. He has over 20 years of experience guiding clients through major financial transitions, focusing on founders, professionals, and families seeking thoughtful, personalized financial guidance. His work centers on advising clients at three key life stages: founders managing the complexities of liquidity events; professionals deliberately building wealth and balancing multiple priorities; and individuals transitioning into retirement with plans to convert savings into sustainable income. Benjamin's expertise includes executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, tax minimization, and retirement income planning. His approach combines disciplined, research-driven portfolio management with a deep understanding of the personal and emotional factors involved in financial decision-making. He is dedicated to building long-term advisory relationships grounded in clarity, trust, and genuine partnership. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Benjamin is also involved in the community through his participation with Chicagoans for Nebraska. Outside of work, he enjoys baseball, basketball, football, spending time with his family, and traveling.

Frank Novelli is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments. He collaborates with clients to understand their unique financial goals and motivations, aiming to develop tailored financial plans that address individual needs and objectives. His objective is to serve as a primary financial advisor, providing advice and service. Frank's professional experience includes roles as Vice President and Financial Consultant at Charles Schwab (2022-2023), Senior Financial Consultant at TD Ameritrade (2020-2023), and Vice President and Advisor Consultant at Nuveen Investments (2014-2020). Outside of his professional career, Frank's personal interests include concerts, fishing, parenthood, scuba diving, snowboarding, and traveling.

Ann Freeman is a Senior Financial Advisor at BBV Wealth Management Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. With more than 35 years of experience in the financial services industry, she began her career in Institutional Equity Sales, including a notable tenure at Lehman Brothers. Her work alongside portfolio managers and analysts has contributed to her strategic approach and ability to see the big picture in financial planning. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Marketing from Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, and an MBA in Finance from DePaul University's Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. Ann holds several professional designations, including Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). She focuses on areas such as executive compensation, family wealth management strategies, legacy and philanthropic planning, portfolio management, socially responsible and ESG investing, as well as supporting women and wealth. Ann is active in community organizations including Ellevate Chapter Leader Chicago, Impact Grants Chicago, and Women's College Alliance. Outside of work, she is a wife and mother of four, with personal interests that include baseball, biking, football, gardening, golfing, interior decorating, photography, scrapbooking, spending time with her family, and traveling.