Michael Goldman, M.A., CFP®
Founder | Executive Director
Michael C. Goldman, M.A., CFP®, founder and executive director of Gather Financial® Planning, is passionate about helping people identify and reach meaningful life goals through trustworthy financial advice and coaching. He launched the firm in 2012 to provide fee-only financial planning services that enable clients to use money to help them achieve the life they want.
Many financial planning firms have minimum asset requirements that prevent certain individuals from achieving their financial goals. For this reason, Michael designed Gather Financial® Planning’s services to assist a wide range of clients. This includes those who often cannot see a top-quality, reliable financial advisor because they lack a large investment portfolio. Using his extensive experience and the principles of behavioral finance, Michael enjoys coaching, teaching and helping bring about a transformation in his clients so they can turn their dreams into reality.
“Through Gather Financial® Planning, Michael assists everyday people by providing trustworthy, practical financial planning advice and coaching based on his extensive experience and the principles of behavioral finance.”
Using money-management techniques to live a meaningful and rewarding life is something Michael has put into practice for decades. In his earlier years, skillful financial management enabled him to pay for an advanced education and travel extensively. He discovered Maine while completing his master’s degree at New York University and loved the area immediately. Upon moving in 2000, he was able to attend the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport to develop his skills in his favorite hobby, woodworking. After just a year and a half he began building his own home, which he completed in 2004. He moved to the Portland area in 2006 and now lives in Yarmouth with his wife, two daughters, three step sons, and one tiny dog. Committed to community, he is honored to serve on the board of a charitable foundation.
Behavioral finance has been a strong interest of Michael’s for many years. Intrigued by investing and the behavioral influences involved in market fluctuations, he attended University of Texas at Austin to complete his honors thesis on the relationship between consumer sentiment and stock market price movements. He continued to research behavioral finance while completing his master's degree in New York.
Michael eventually took a position at a talent selection and development firm, where he became a proficient coach. He enjoyed helping individuals change their behavior to achieve specific goals. He gained extensive knowledge and experience that included coaching programs for hundreds of executives, managers and professionals at Fortune 500® companies.
Today, Michael’s background, knowledge, skills and passion enable him to make a positive, lasting impact. His professional certifications and affiliations back up the quality of his services. Having completed the rigorous CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional requirements, Michael carries the CFP® mark of distinction.
Michael’s membership in the Garrett Planning Network, the premier organization for independent, fee-only financial advisors, demonstrates his commitment to making objective and competent advice available to people from all walks of life through fee-only financial planning. His certification with the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) places him in the top professional association of fee-only advisors in the country. As a NAPFA-registered financial advisor, he has taken a strict fiduciary oath and meets extensive continuing education requirements.