The Planning Group

Michael Brown is a CFA® charterholder with 24 years of industry experience. He is affiliated with The Planning Group, where he has worked since 1999, and previously held roles at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors. Brown holds a CPA credential and serves as a licensed insurance agent; he also acts as a paid trustee for two individual family trusts. The Planning Group is a registered investment adviser serving individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities. The firm employs fundamental analysis and modern portfolio theory to create tailored, model-based portfolios, primarily using mutual funds, ETFs, fixed income, and other investment products.

Martin Jankelowitz is a financial advisor at The Planning Group with a Series 65 designation and two years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Willis Towers Watson and Ginsburg Asset Consulting, as well as independent consulting from 2021 to 2023. The Planning Group serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities by providing discretionary portfolio management and financial planning. The firm employs a model-based investment approach grounded in fundamental analysis and modern portfolio theory, utilizing a range of investment vehicles such as mutual funds, ETFs, fixed income, and insurance products.

Paul Shuman is a CFP® with 21 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at The Planning Group. He has previously worked at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and has operated Shuman Financial Consulting, LLC since 2009. Shuman is a CPA and serves as a board member and Financial Committee Chairman for Shore Community Services, Inc. in Skokie, IL. The Planning Group is a registered investment adviser that serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities. The firm employs a model-based investment approach using fundamental analysis and modern portfolio theory, offering discretionary portfolio management and financial planning tailored to client objectives.

Dani Barron is a financial advisor with The Planning Group who holds Series 65 and Series 66 credentials and has 19 years of industry experience. Her career includes roles at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and Barron Wealth Management. She founded a South African Networking Group that organizes regular events to connect South Africans in Illinois and across the U.S. The Planning Group serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities, offering discretionary portfolio management and financial planning. The firm employs a model-based investment approach grounded in fundamental analysis and modern portfolio theory, utilizing a range of investment vehicles such as mutual funds, ETFs, fixed income, and insurance products.