Mai Park Capital | Pence Wealth Management

  • Founder

    Mai Park, CPWA®

  • Address

    990 W. 190th St., Torrance
    5000 Birch St., West Tower,
    Newport Beach

  • Phone

    949-220-1376

  • Website

    maiparkcapital.com

  • Special Section

    Trusted Advisors

Highlights

  • Wealth Management
  • Retirement Planning
  • Tax-Efficient Strategies
  • Portfolio Construction

With more than 20 years of experience in private wealth management, Mai Park works with engineers, executives and families from companies like Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, SpaceX and Tesla. She founded Mai Park Capital, in partnership with Pence Wealth Management, and specializes in developing wealth strategies tailored to the unique compensation structures and financial challenges of the aerospace and technology industries.

As a managing director at Pence Wealth Management, Mai is backed by an advisory team that manages over $2.5 billion1 in client assets and offers comprehensive services in retirement planning, tax strategy, estate coordination and investment management. She was recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State in 2023, 2024 and 2025. 

Tell us about your firm.

I founded Mai Park Capital to gain the freedom to create fully customized portfolios for clients, and to access a breadth of investment vehicles. Partnering with Pence Wealth Management gives me access to an actively managed and tax-harvesting platform. 

What is your area of expertise?

Goals-based wealth planning. I create personalized strategies that align every financial decision with a client’s life goals. Rather than focusing solely on market movements or short-term performance, I help clients define what truly matters to them—whether that’s retirement readiness, funding education or leaving a legacy—and then design tax-efficient, diversified portfolios to support those objectives. It’s about turning wealth into a tool for living with purpose.

What is your definition of success?

Seeing my clients achieve financial freedom that inspires them to share their experience with others. My practice has grown organically through referrals. To me, that trust and word-of-mouth growth reflect the greatest measure of success: helping clients feel confident enough in their own financial journey to recommend me to their colleagues and friends.

Tell us about a transformation that you’ve made to enhance your work.

Earning the prestigious certified private wealth advisor (CPWA®) designation from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business was truly transformative. It deepened my understanding of advanced wealth management strategies and strengthened my commitment to serving clients with greater technical and ethical excellence. The program elevated how I approach complex financial decisions and empower clients to make them with confidence.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from advising others?

True wealth isn’t just about numbers; it’s about purpose. Clients’ goals, values and life experiences shape their definition of financial success. My role is to listen deeply, understand what matters to them and build strategies that align their wealth with their lifestyle.

How do you establish trust with new clients?

Trust is earned through consistency, transparency and genuine care. We start by listening and understanding what truly matters to each client before offering any advice. Education and clarity are key. When clients understand the “why” behind their strategy, confidence naturally follows. And above all, we lead with integrity. Every recommendation we make is guided by our fiduciary duty to put clients’ best interests first.

What distinguishes an average advisor from an exceptional one?

Genuine care, active listening and a deep understanding of clients’ goals and values. Exceptional advisors go beyond portfolio management. They’re dynamic and responsive to changing market conditions—seeking to capture growth while managing risk. By combining empathy with adaptability and disciplined risk management, they help clients stay confident through all market cycles.

Tell us something unique about yourself that others may not know.

I began my career as a high school biology teacher after earning my biology degree from Cal Poly Pomona. Teaching taught me the importance of patience and that knowledge is not uniform. Helping others understand both simple and complex concepts are the foundation for managing decision paralysis. I still view myself as an educator at heart.

Disclaimer: Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor, Member FINRA/ SIPC. 1) AUM as of June 30, 2025

 

Photographed by Fabien & Laura Castro