At Exencial, we shine a spotlight on our unique team members every quarter, and today, we feature Gretchen Capolingua, Office Manager Team Lead and North Carolina Office Manager based in our Huntersville, N.C., office.
Originally from Maryland, Gretchen earned her bachelor’s degree in fine arts with a concentration in painting and art history from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. After college, she returned to a medical practice in her hometown where she had worked during college breaks and quickly worked her way up to office manager. That role sparked a passion for operational efficiency and team coordination. In 2013, she made the bold decision to leave her longtime role and move to Charlotte, N.C. to be closer to family.
Following this move, Gretchen continued her work in healthcare as a surgical administrative assistant at Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine. In that role, she was a surgical administrator, organizing schedules for doctors performing both adult and pediatric brain and spine surgeries. After over a decade in the fast-paced medical field, Gretchen was ready for change and ultimately made the transition to Exencial in April 2022.
In her current position, she manages daily office operations in Huntersville and leads Exencial’s team of office managers across the firm’s locations nationwide. Her work can look different everyday, from coordinating internal data audits and helping new offices integrate after acquisitions, to restocking supplies and prepping for client meetings. She collaborates with teams across the entire organization, including HR, client services, IT and trading, among others.
One of Gretchen’s biggest accomplishments came shortly after joining the firm, when she assisted with the full-scale rebranding of the North Carolina office following the merger with Willingdon Wealth Management. From repainting and reorganizing to replacing signage and materials, Gretchen helped transform the space into a true reflection of Exencial. That attention to detail and pride in ownership still defines her work today.
While she initially joined Exencial for better work-life balance, she quickly discovered her true calling in operations—and the people she works with have made it that much better. Gretchen appreciates the collaborative, close-knit team environment and the ongoing opportunities to learn and grow.
Outside the office, Gretchen is a talented baker and previously co-owned an online bakery. These days, she still enjoys decorating cupcakes and truffles. She also continues to paint as a creative outlet and enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, Tony, and their dog, Olive.
Exencial Wealth Advisors is an SEC registered investment adviser. Any references to the terms “registered investment adviser” or “registered,” do not imply that Exencial or any person associated with Exencial has achieved a certain level of skill or training.
