In keeping with our ideals of helping clients improve their financial health through collaboration & accountability, Marshall and Andrew have branched out to create a unique identity within North Star Resource Group. Gifford Financial is the result of these efforts and we are looking forward to a new and exciting future with you!

Visit our website at www.giffordfinancial.com, to learn more about Marshall and Gifford Financial. 

Philosophy & Background

Biography

Marshall Gifford is a founder of Gifford Financial and a Senior Partner at North Star Resource Group, where he helped create the North Star Medical Division. He graduated from Minnesota State University at Mankato in 1993 with a degree in Business Administration. In 1995 Marshall completed his Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and Certified Life Underwriter (CLU) training. He specializes in consulting with physicians and dentists in regards to their personal and business financial goals and concerns.

Marshall is a co-author with Todd Bramson of Real Life Financial Planning for the Young Dental Professional and Real Life Financial Planning for the Residents, Fellows and Young Physicians. He is a frequently requested speaker at national medical and dental conferences, and his perspective and wisdom have resulted in guest spots as a financial expert on KARE11, WCCO, and Fox News. Marshall has also written and supported multiple articles for Medical Economics magazine as well as Dental Products Report.

He is frequently invited to speak on various financial topics and has conducted educational discussions for residents, fellows and students of the following institutions or groups:

• The American Urological Association
• Northwest Indiana Dental Society
• CARVE – Clinically Relevant Vascular & Endovascular Surgery Conference
• The University of Minnesota Dental School
• The University of Minnesota Medical School
• The University of Minnesota Residency and Fellowship Training Programs
• The Mayo Fellows Association
• The Mayo Clinic Residency Programs
• Johns Hopkins University
• Ohio State University Medical School
• The University of Cincinnati Dental School
• Detroit Medical Center
• McLaren Macomb
• The University of Iowa Dental School
• The University of Missouri Kansas City Dental School and Residencies
• The University of Nebraska Dental School
• Creighton University Dental School
• The University of Florida Dental School
• Rush University Medical Center
• University of Illinois Chicago
• Northwestern University
• Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry
• Howard Dental School
• Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Industry-wide Marshall is recognized as an experienced and knowledgeable financial advisor, which has made him a frequently requested speaker at numerous industry functions.  Time management, practice management, marketing, efficiency, and motivation are just a few of the topics upon which he has spoken.

Marshall resides in St. Paul, Minnesota with his wife, Tari, and three sons.

Background and Mission

I grew up in a small town in Northeast Iowa. My parents were both successful business owners. My father ran an insurance agency and my mother ran an antique and gift shop. It wasn't until 1989, during my senior year of high school, that I learned how quickly life can change. In February 1989, I was diagnosed with Lupus Nephritis, a disease of the autoimmune system. In the middle of basketball season and recruiting trips, my season ended. At 6' 4", my weight dropped to 126 pounds. The next seven months I spent in and out of hospitals. I was very fortunate to fully recover physically in late 1989 and have been healthy since then. The experience, however, will never be forgotten. It serves as a reminder to make sure I take care of those closest to me and live every day because you never know when life will deviate from your plan. The best you can do is to be prepared.

My mission is to reach people who are too busy excelling at other areas of life to take time to understand the complex financial issues that face them. I know that when communicated in a relatable manner using simple terms, analogies, and stories, the complex can be made understandable and relevant.  Without convenient access to this information, many people put off making key financial decisions and the unintended results can be devastating for them, their families, and businesses.

The information age has also intensified the dissemination of financial advice. It is interesting to consider that twenty-five years ago financial news may have made top headlines two or three times throughout the year when the stock market would do particularly poorly or well, or if there was some other major economic news. Today, however, we have news programs and websites dedicated to nothing else 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Every day our media sources need to come up with something to keep you watching or reading, however, there is a big difference between wisdom and information. It is my mission to help people acquire the wisdom to make sense of all the information.

I am confident the resources of my practice will help you attain your financial goals and enjoy having a sense of financial security along the way.