Six North Star financial advisors garner national recognition on AdvisorHub’s Advisors to Watch list
MINNEAPOLIS—June 20, 2025—AdvisorHub today announced its Advisors to Watch list, including six North Star Resource Group financial advisors who are committed to helping their clients meet their goals and plan for their future:
- Marshall Gifford, CLU®, ChFC®, CLTC—#10 Advisors to Watch (Under $1B)
- Josh Evenson, CFP®, ChFC®, CASL®—#196 Advisors to Watch (Under $1B)
- Joe Fox, CLU®, ChFC®, CLTC—#76 Solo Advisors to Watch
- Jane LaLonde, CFP®, CDFA—#57 100 Women Advisors to Watch
- Ann Wengronowitz, CFP®, RICP®—#64 100 Women Advisors to Watch
- Jon Ylinen—#54 100 Advisors to Watch – Next Gen
This annual list includes several categories of the top financial professionals across the nation who lead practices devoted to a high level of service, dedication and innovative financial solutions to their clients.
“We are truly thrilled and proud of these advisors for making the Advisors to Watch list,” said North Star CEO Ed Deutschlander, CLU®, CLF®. “These advisors represent some of the best within our profession, and they epitomize the values of North Star.”
Marshall Gifford, CLU®, ChFC®, CLTC, ranked #10 in the Advisors to Watch (Under $1B) category, after previously being ranked #75 on the 100 Fast-Growing Advisors to Watch list in 2024. Gifford started with North Star in 1993 and founded Gifford Financial, a division of North Star Resource Group, in 2017. Gifford is also a co-author of “Real Life Financial Planning for the Young Dental Professional” and “Real Life Financial Planning for the New Physician,” a member of the North Star Medical Division and a frequent speaker at medical and dental conferences nationwide.
“It is such an honor to be included on this list,” Gifford commented. “I am fortunate to have found a career, firm, and team that help me make a positive impact in our clients’ lives. It is humbling to have clients place their trust in me and in what we do. Sharing in their financial journey and success is one of my greatest joys.”
Josh Evenson, CFP®, ChFC®, CASL®, also made the Advisors to Watch (Under $1B) category, ranking #196. He began his career with North Star in 1997 and formed a partnership with fellow Madison-based financial advisor, Doug Weisenberger, CFP®, CLTC®, ChFC®, CLU®, in 2008, eventually adding another Madison-based financial advisor, Matt Bellin, CRPC®, to their team. Following Weisenberger’s retirement in 2025—and Evenson’s subsequent absorbing of his client base—Evenson joined with Bellin to form E|B Capital Management. This North Star affiliate firm is dedicated to empowering others with clear financial strategies, long-term planning and a team-based approach to build confidence in their wealth.
“Being one of two North Star advisors recognized in the Advisors to Watch (Under $1B) category is quite humbling,” stated Evenson. “I credit my wonderful team at E|B Capital Management for helping me achieve this honor, and I greatly appreciate my clients for placing such great trust in me.”
In the Solo Advisors to Watch category, Joe Fox, CLU®, ChFC®, CLTC, ranked #76. Starting his career with North Star in 1988, Fox quickly established himself as a reputable financial guide to his clients. In addition, Fox also believes in giving back to the community, which serves as his motivation for working with the nonprofit Bikes for Kids. Founded in 2004, this organization provides bikes and helmets to children of military families during the holidays and has donated over 5,000 bikes since its inception.
“It goes without saying that being included on this list from AdvisorHub is truly an honor,” Fox commented. “I greatly appreciate all my wonderful clients and the team at North Star, and I believe this recognition is a testament to the strength of the team I have been fortunate enough to build.”
In the 100 Women Advisors to Watch category, two North Star advisors received recognition.
Jane LaLonde, CFP®, CDFA, ranked #57 and has been with North Star since 1986. She is a co-author of the book, “Real Life Financial Planning with Case Studies for Women” (published in 2001) and is a nationally recognized speaker and active member of her community. In 2024, she founded LaLonde Wealth Advisor Group, a group of financial professionals focused on providing exceptional client experiences and sound long-term financial strategies.
“Since having the pleasure of working with so many wonderful individuals and families, I have made it a priority to serve as a holistic financial resource,” LaLonde added. “I greatly appreciate AdvisorHub for this wonderful recognition, and intend to use this momentum to finish the second half of the year strong.”
Ann Wengronowitz, CFP®, RICP®, ranked #64 in the 100 Women Advisors to Watch category. Since 1981, Wengronowitz has built a versatile, well-established financial advising practice. In 2019, she and her business partner, Emily Malecha, CRPC®, ChFC®, founded Confidere Financial based on their efforts to deliver personalized service to clients nationwide. She also serves on Cetera’s Advisor Engagement Council, a small group of advisors selected to provide strategic input and guidance to Cetera’s executive team, and is a past president of WISE, an organization committed to the growth of women financial professionals.
“I co-founded Confidere Financial on the basis of providing personalized, complete financial wellness guidance to clients nationwide, and this recognition from AdvisorHub reaffirms that commitment,” said Wengronowitz. “Thank you to AdvisorHub for naming me as a Women Advisor to Watch and to my wonderful team at Confidere for all they do!”
Finally, Jon Ylinen received recognition in the 100 Advisors to Watch – Next Gen category, where he ranked #54. Since joining North Star in 2008, Ylinen has worked closely with medical professionals out of Madison, Wis. He is also a co-author of the book “Real-Life Financial Planning for Physicians” and is a regular contributor to financial columns such as “Financial Focus” for “Review of Ophthalmology” and “EM$ and Sense” for “Emergency Medicine Magazine,” along with several contributions to “Medical Economics” and “Physician’s Money Digest.” He is also a board member of the Scott Richards North Star Foundation.
“It’s been a true pleasure serving so many clients and helping them achieve their financial goals throughout my career,” Ylinen remarked. “This recognition from AdvisorHub is a nice testament to the partnership and trust my team and I have with all of our clients, and we look forward to many more years with them to come.”
The AdvisorHub Advisors to Watch rankings were determined based on each advisor’s score in three categories related to their financial practice: scale, growth and professionalism. Scale represents the size and profitability of the advisor’s business, with growth and professionalism representing business growth and the advisor’s regulatory record and community involvement, respectively.
To learn more about AdvisorHub’s Advisors to Watch list or to view the rankings for each category, visit www.advisorhub.com/advisors-to-watch-rankings.
About AdvisorHub
AdvisorHub aims to be the financial advisors’ advocate and voice, by providing a definitive source for breaking news, relevant products and services, critical compensation data and a safe forum to share best practices and growth strategies. To learn more about AdvisorHub, visit www.advisorhub.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 207 full-time advisors and over 202 employees. In a network of 37 offices in over 21 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 December 2024
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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.
Marshall, Josh, Joe, Jane, Ann, Jon, Matt and Emily are Financial Advisors offering securities through Cetera Wealth Services LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, a broker/dealer. Advisory Services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment advisor. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity.
Advisors self-nominate and are ranked on a combination of size/quality of practice, growth of practice and character and professionalism. Growth and quality of practice will account for the majority of the final score. Listing in this publication is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor 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.
2025 Advisors to Watch issued by AdvisorHub. Requirements at least $150m in AUM, 7 years experience, 2 years at current firm and in good standing, clean regulatory record (2 or fewer complaints and no significant judgements). Methodology, advisors are ranked on a 100-pt scale in three categories. SCALE: relative size of assets, production and quality of service; GROWTH: relative year-over-year change in assets, clients and production; PROFESSIONALISM: regulatory record, community involvement, mentorship and team makeup. 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.
Securities offered through Cetera Wealth Services LLC, 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.