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StraitGate Financial LLC is a an independent, fee-only, financial planning firm located in Northville, MI.

 

Serving metro-Detroit and beyond, our firm provides comprehensive financial planning to provide a foundational roadmap for our clients and ongoing implementation to make any necessary course corrections along the way. We work with individuals, couples and families in the stage of life they are currently in.

 

StraitGate Financial LLC acts as a fiduciary, and only accepts fees for our services, never commissions.

 

StraitGate Financial LLC was established in 2001 with a mission to cultivate long-term relationships with clients built on trust, which we proudly continue to this day. Because of this, we are blessed to say we still have clients that started the journey with us twenty years ago.

Keith Southwick, CLU, ChFC, CFP

Financial Planner

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Keith is the founder and president of StraitGate Financial LLC. After a long career as an executive, Keith entered the financial services industry in 1994. After several years of working with companies that were only interested in selling investment products, Keith decided to follow his vision of what a financial services company should be. He created StraitGate Financial LLC in 2001 to provide clients with comprehensive financial planning.

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Keith lives in Northville, Michigan with his wife Darlene. He enjoys reading, weightlifting, and is actively involved in his church.

 

Designations & Affiliations:

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Michelle Brow

Financial Planner

Michelle Brow joined StraitGate Financial LLC in 2019. A native of St. Clair Beach, Ontario, Michelle graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1991. Michelle began her career working as an Executive Assistant for several years before beginning her own Company, “Pop Culture” in 1995 which she ran for 9 years growing it to a $1.2 million company with over 80 employees.

 

Since leaving Pop Culture, Michelle has worked as a Realtor and Business Advisor. In 2007 she began working with JP Morgan Chase Bank as Branch Manager/Vice President. During her 6-year tenure at JP Morgan, she was promoted to Retail Sales Wholesaler and on to Financial Advisor. She is currently a financial Planner with StraitGate Financial LLC. She has completed the Certified Financial Planner (CFP  ) certificate Program at Northwestern University.

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Over her career Michelle has earned several awards and recognition:

  • Spotlight Segment in “The Future of Business-5th Edition” (2004)

  • Hallmark of Entrepreneurial Excellence Award for Innovation (2001)

  • Best Small Business Award, Michigan Small Business Development Center (2001)

  • Cited and quoted in Entrepreneur Magazine (2001), Inc. Magazine (2005) , Fortune Small Business Magazine (2001), Franchise Times (2001,2004), Cover Story of WOW (the Word on Women) Magazine (2000) and often appeared on The Food Channel (2005)

  • Young Entrepreneurs’ Organization (YEO) Ð Board of Directors and Member

    • Forum Table Moderator 2003 - 2005

    • Mentor Chair 2001 - 2005

    • Education/Learning Chair 2001 - 2003

  • YMCA Board of Directors Ð Metropolitan Detroit

    • Financial Development Committee Chair (2004 Ð 2006) | Strategic Advisory Council (2005 Ð 2006)

 

Michelle is married to Troy (Senior Engineer at GM), and they have twin daughters, Chloe & Harper. In addition to her Professional Career, Michelle enjoys being involved in charitable and volunteer work. Michelle has served as a Mentor to Foster Children and taught Entrepreneur Workshops to Disadvantaged Youth at Oakland University and Pontiac Schools.

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Dawn Malkowski

Office Manager

Dawn joined StraitGate Financial LLC in 2002 as an office assistant.  Throughout her years at StraitGate Financial LLC, she has grown her role in the company.  After graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in Economics, she became Office Manager, overseeing the daily management of the company and much of the preparation for the planning and implementation process. 

 

Dawn lives in South Lyon, Michigan with her husband Bret and her son Colton. She loves reading and is very organized. Dawn's true love is Disney World and you can always reach out to her if you are in need of any recommendations.

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