Investment Adviser & Founder
Matthew Gagnon, CFA, CFP®
Hi, I’m Matt Gagnon. a dad, Christ follower, and financial planner in McKinney, Texas. I founded Financial Empowerment in 2023 to help families in the North Dallas suburbs get organized and get on track for retirement. I live and work in the same community as the families I serve.
Why I do this work
In the late 1990s my dad received terrible financial advice and it cost him dearly. That experience stayed with me, and I built this company to be the exact opposite of what he went through. [Read the story →]
Where I’ve been
I spent 15 years on the institutional side of investment management. Since 2007 I’ve worked with more than 2,000 financial advisors across the country, at a firm managing over $25 billion in client assets. I earned my CFA® charter in 2014 and became a CFP® professional in 2026.
That work put me inside a lot of portfolios and a lot of advisory practices. I saw the kind of advice I’d want for my own family, and how different it was from what my dad got. I started my own company to deliver the highest quality advice directly to people who need it.
Why I work with families
The families I work best with are in their peak earning years. They’ve kept debt low, saved steadily, and built something real. Usually their money ended up spread across a bunch of accounts and they struggle to get the overall picture clear.
I share the Ramsey values of debt-free living and disciplined investing, which is why I became a SmartVestor Pro. Many of the people I work with follow those principles and have not worked with an advisor before. Patience and education are important parts of my process.
My institutional background means your portfolio gets the same discipline a large investment fund would. Every client who hires me to manage investments gets a written Investment Policy Statement, so you know what you own and why.
What I believe about money
Simple beats complicated. If I can’t explain a strategy to you in plain English, it doesn’t belong in your plan.
Money decisions are personal. The right answer is the one that fits your values and your life, and that isn’t always the one with the highest return.
Outside the office
I enjoy spending time with my daughter and staying active. I practice Jiu Jitsu, Kenpo Karate, and yoga a few times per week. Weekends are for Church and relaxing.
Credentials
| CFA® charterholder | Since 2014 |
| CFP® professional | Since 2026 |
| Nearly 20 years | Institutional investment management |
| $25 billion | Client assets at my prior firm |
| [2,000 / 3,000]+ | Financial advisors I’ve worked with nationwide |
| Fee-only fiduciary | No commissions or product sales |
Meet me in three minutes
Ready to Get Started?
The first step is a free, no-pressure call. We’ll discuss your financial goals and how i can help. Plan for 20-30 minutes.
McKinney, TX
(469) 214-2333
matt@empowermenttools.net
