Max Gifford named an Excellence Awardee for the InvestmentNews Osaic Inc. Award for NextGen Advisor of the Year for early career excellence
NEW YORK—April 13, 2026—Max Gifford, CSLP®, CPFA®, financial advisor at Gifford Financial, The MD & DDS Specialists, a division of North Star Resource Group, was announced today as an Excellence Awardee for the Osaic Inc. Award for NextGen Advisor of the Year from InvestmentNews.
This award recognizes financial advisors in their first three years in the profession for innovative financial planning practices and excellent client service.
“I am so grateful to be surrounded by wonderful mentors and an excellent team,” stated Max Gifford. “I have learned so much from Marshall and Erik and am now implementing that each day in my practice. This career is so rewarding, seeing how much of an impact you can have on someone’s life.”
Since joining Gifford Financial in 2023 and following in the footsteps of his father, Founder and Senior Partner, Marshall Gifford, CLU®, ChFC®, CLTC®, Gifford has distinguished himself as a forward-thinking financial advisor. As of December 2025, he services $12.7 million in assets under administration* and is recognized as a leader among his peers at North Star.
A graduate of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., Gifford specializes in serving emerging physicians and dentists who are navigating complex financial transitions. He provides highly tailored guidance on student loan repayment strategies, wealth management and risk management planning.
“Watching Max grow into his role at Gifford Financial has been incredibly rewarding,” added Marshall Gifford. “His work ethic, integrity and commitment to doing what’s right for clients reflect the core values our firm was built on. He approaches every relationship with humility, discipline and a genuine desire to serve. I couldn’t be more proud of the professional and person he has become.”
Gifford’s thought leadership has extended beyond client relationships. In 2025, he appeared on multiple segments with KSTP-TV, sharing practical insights on student loan planning and financial decision-making for young professionals. These appearances have reinforced his role as an emerging authority in a niche that directly impacts the next generation of healthcare leaders.
In 2025, Gifford delivered 20 seminars at dental and medical schools nationwide, equipping soon-to-be graduates with actionable knowledge on student loan planning, risk management and investing fundamentals. His translation of complex financial concepts into relatable, real-world strategies serves as the cornerstone of his financial practice.
“Since joining Gifford Financial under the mentorship of his father, Max has displayed an incredible service-first mindset and intelligence in financial planning for medical professionals,” concluded North Star CEO Ed Deutschlander, CLU®, CLF®. “He is well on his way to becoming one of the finest advisors at our firm, and Gifford Financial is poised for continued growth thanks to his efforts.”
Gifford and the other Excellence Awardees will be recognized at the InvestmentNews Gala Awards Dinner this summer.
To learn more about Gifford, visit www.giffordfinancial.com/team-member/max-gifford.
About InvestmentNews
InvestmentNews is a trusted resource for financial advisors, providing investment news and analysis for financial advisors. They include extensive coverage and expert commentary on important topics in the financial advisory industry and are committed to maintaining the highest standards of journalistic and editorial integrity. To learn more about InvestmentNews, visit www.investmentnews.com.
About North Star Resource Group
North Star Resource Group is a Minneapolis-based financial services firm that provides both individuals and businesses with the resources to help create, preserve and protect their wealth. North Star has more than 200 full-time advisors and over 218 employees. In a network of 43 offices in over 17 states, they have contributed to the financial security and well-being of over 150,000 individuals and small businesses.† To learn more about North Star Resource Group, visit www.northstarfinancial.com.
†Data as of 12/2025
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If you would like more information about this topic, please call Ian Rich at 612.617.6076 or email him at ian.rich@northstarfinancial.com.
*Assets held through Cetera Wealth Services, LLC & Cetera Investment Advisors
Ed and Marshall are registered representatives with Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.
Osaic Inc. Award for NextGen Advisor of the Finalist – 2026 issued by InvestmentNews. The InvestmentNews Awards follow a structured, multi-stage process beginning with an open nomination period in which eligible professionals and firms submit entries at no cost. Submissions are then supplemented by independent research conducted by the awards team to ensure comprehensive consideration of qualified candidates. From this combined pool, “Excellence Awardees” (finalists) (except the Lifetime Achievement category) are selected and invited to provide detailed submissions addressing category-specific criteria, which remain confidential and are shared only with judges, until finalists are officially announced. These materials are evaluated by an independent panel of industry leaders (judges) who assess and score entries based on defined criteria, with safeguards such as conflict-of-interest recusals to ensure impartiality. Winners are determined using an aggregated points-based system and are formally announced at the awards ceremony and through InvestmentNews channels. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the financial professional by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.