Alicia serves as the Marketing Specialist at Gifford Financial, overseeing our client-focused initiatives. From coordinating events and presentations to content creation and management of our marketing materials, social media platforms, and website, she collaborates with our advisors to enhance client engagement and brand visibility. She plays a pivotal role in managing Marshall’s schedule and takes joy in commemorating significant client milestones such as births, adoptions, weddings, and retirements. Alicia is licensed in life and disability insurance.

Katie is Gifford Financial’s Investment Specialist.  She collaborates with clients as they initiate new accounts and make changes to current investments. Katie works closely with the investment companies, fostering those relationships to better be able to assist in how our clients interact through the various stages of account opening and finalization. She places trades and welcomes any investment, service, and general questions you may have. Katie is a Registered Administrative Assistant with Cetera Advisor Networks, LLC.

Megan oversees the risk management portion of Marshall’s practice as Insurance Coordinator. In addition to insurance, she coordinates all eMoney-related services and collaborates with clients throughout the process. From application to finalization, Megan welcomes any questions you may have while navigating the complexities of the underwriting process together. She works closely with insurance companies to better assist clients through the various stages of policy opening and placement. Megan is licensed in life and disability insurance.

As Senior Vice President, Chase oversees the operations of Business Owner Solutions, Distribution Planning, and North Star’s insurance brokerage operations, which include Property and Casualty Insurance, Disability Insurance, Medicare/Individual Health, and Employee Benefits.

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire with a degree in business administration and finance, Brakke joined North Star in 2008.

As a trained former financial advisor, Chase understands how to integrate complex strategies into overall financial goals. In his current role, much of his time is spent working directly with advisors and their clients and connecting them with North Star’s supporting team of specialists to serve clients holistically.

Chase is heavily involved in his community and has seen firsthand how financial literacy and preparedness can positively impact others. He serves as a board member for BestPrep, an organization that provides educational programs to students in grades 4-12 through professional mentorship opportunities. Each year, Chase volunteers over 100 hours with the organization as an eMentor, classroom speaker, and student essay judge.

For his volunteer work in furthering financial literacy, Chase was the recipient of the BestPrep Bunzel Volunteer of the Year award in 2018, was recognized as a Notable Leader in Finance honoree by Twin Cities Business in 2021, and was named an honorable mention for the Volunteer of the Year award from Invest In Others in 2024.

Chase lives in Stillwater, Minn., with his wife, Jenn, and two children. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf, basketball, volleyball, and tennis, along with spending time with family, especially at his lake cabin.

Michael joined the North Star property and casualty department in 2019. As a team, the North Star insurance specialists focus on finding gaps in coverage and providing clients with customized solutions based on their specific needs.

Working out of North Star’s headquarters in Minneapolis, Michael is licensed to work with clients throughout the U.S.

Anne is a co-founder of the Medicare Supplement division at North Star, helping to simplify healthcare choices for Medicare-eligible individuals throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.

As an independent agency, the Medicare team at North Star can look at an individual’s health care needs and find a suitable plan with multiple different carriers. The team’s goal is never to sell a policy but to educate and guide clients to a suitable choice. Aligned with these values, Anne hosts regular no-cost, no-obligation informational meetings about Medicare.

A College of Saint Benedict graduate, Anne has served clients in the Medicare field since 2010, and she currently works out of North Star’s headquarters in Minneapolis.

As a member of our employee benefits team, Chloe works closely with businesses to analyze, design, and administer comprehensive employee benefits programs.

Chloe brings with her extensive experience in client service and insurance administration, and she uses these skills to support business clients with the communication, training, and ongoing assistance needed to implement a successful employee benefits program.