Marshall W. Gifford, CLU, ChFC

Founder and Partner at Gifford Financial

Gifford Financial focuses on working with those in the medical and dental fields. While we specialize in advising those working in health care, our core process and principles apply to anyone committed to improving their financial situation.

Awards and recognition

Forbes Top Financial Security Professionals Best-In-State
#3 in Minnesota

Forbes’ 2023 Top Financial Security Professionals Award
#67 Nationwide

American Funds Retirement Plan Participant Self Service

Marshall’s publications

Real Life Financial Planning for The Young Dental Professional

 

 

 

Real Life Financial Planning for The New Physician

Check the background of this investment professional on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.

Marshall W. Gifford, CLU, ChFC

Founder and Partner at Gifford Financial

Gifford Financial focuses on working with those in the medical and dental fields. While we specialize in advising those working in health care, our core process and principles apply to anyone committed to improving their financial situation.

About

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 regard to their personal and business financial goals and concerns.

Marshall is a co-author of Real Life Financial Planning for the Young Dental Professional and Real Life Financial Planning for the New Physician. He speaks 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.

Marshall was named on a list of the country’s Top Financial Security Professionals from Forbes and SHOOK Research (#67), and ranked #3 on Forbes Top Financial Security Professionals Best-In-State (Minnesota). This achievement ranks him among the distinguished security professionals SHOOK and Forbes evaluated and listed who are helping their clients in times when wealth preservation and protection matter most.

He speaks 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

Having worked in the industry for over 25 years, Marshall has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share when speaking at industry and institutional functions. Time management, practice management, marketing, efficiency, and motivation are just a few of the topics upon which he has spoken.

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 in 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, seven 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.

Services

  • Financial Services for Medical and Dental Professionals
  • Insurance Strategies
  • Investments
  • Financial Planning
  • Debt Management
  • Wealth Management

Team

Alicia Leemkuil
Alicia Leemkuil

Marketing Coordinator

Katie Tam
Katie Tam

Investment Coordinator

Bert Nijssen
Bert Nijssen

Insurance Coordinator

Megan Karsseboom
Megan Karsseboom

Administrative Assistant

North Star resource team

Chase Brakke, DIA, DIF, CEPA®
Chase Brakke, DIA, DIF, CEPA®

Vice President of Business Owner Solutions

Michael Sejbl
Michael Sejbl

Property and Casualty Consultant

Anne Pierce
Anne Pierce

Medicare Specialist

Chloe Becker
Chloe Becker

Employee Benefits Account Manager

Contact

Connect with Marshall

    Investment advisor representative of Cetera Advisor Networks, LLC. Securities offered through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC (doing insurance business in CA as CFGAN Insurance Agency LLC, CA Insurance Lic # 0644976), member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. CA Insurance License #0D68344.

    Forbes America’s Top Financial Security Professionals, developed by SHOOK Research is based on last year’s data. The algorithm is designed to fairly compare the business practices of a large group of financial service professionals (FSPs) based on quantitative and qualitative elements. Data is weighted to ensure priorities are given to dynamics such as best practices, business models, recent business activity, among others. Each variable is graded and represents a certain value for each measured component. The algorithm measures thousands of FSPs against one another. The listing is prepared by SHOOK™ Research and is based primarily on commissions and premiums generated from insurance products and other criteria relative to years of experience, credentials, client retention and servicing, business model, community involvement, financial professional and peer interviews, and compliance background. 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.

    *Awards are based primarily on criteria relative to leadership, achievement, recruiting, management practices, community service, team unity and education.  Sales are not a consideration. There is no fee associated with this award. Companies must be in good standing with the Better Business Bureau for consideration. Working with this advisor or firm is not a guarantee of future financial results. Investors should conduct their own evaluation.