Caroline Perry – Performance Trust Capital Partners

At Performance Trust Capital Partners, a forward-thinking financial firm dedicated to helping financial institutions improve their long-term performance and deliver shareholder value through a proprietary, objective decision-making process, the culture of innovation extends beyond analytics and strategy. It extends into the very walls—and desks and conference tables—where that work is done. At the heart of this operational evolution is Caroline Perry, director of facilities and administration, who is reshaping the physical environments that support Performance Trust’s rapid growth, collaborative culture, and bold vision for the future.

From her early days as an executive assistant to now overseeing real estate, legal, vendor relationships, and office design across the firm’s national and international footprint, Perry has not only grown with the company—she’s helped shape it.

“We’re the kind of place where if you see a gap and are willing to fill it, you’re given the chance to do so,” she says. That mentality has become central to both her leadership style and the company’s approach to people and spaces alike.

Designing a future-focused environment

With Performance Trust doubling in size over the next 10 years, creating functional, forward-thinking office environments in its 13 office locations is crucial to the firm’s continued success. Nowhere is this more evident than in the recently reimagined New York and Chicago offices. The NYC location, which tripled in size and now seats up to 38 team members, is a flagship client-facing space.

“We knew we didn’t want a stuffy, old-school banking vibe,” Perry explains. “We were intentional about designing something energizing and modern that would reflect who we are today.”

In Chicago, the firm’s central hub underwent a sweeping renovation that prioritized technology upgrades and flexible, ergonomic workspaces. Conference rooms and collaboration areas were revamped with client interactions in mind, ensuring that branding, layout, and even acoustics support meaningful engagement.

“We’ve learned to spend where it matters—tech over trendy,” she says.

Across the firm’s other offices in cities like San Francisco, Charlotte, Houston, and even San Juan and Hong Kong, Perry and her team ensure consistency in quality, adaptability in layout, and resourcefulness in outfitting each location. Whether it’s a dedicated office or a WeWork-style setup, team members have everything they need to work efficiently—from dual monitors and docking stations to seamless remote access.

Working smart, spending smarter

Performance Trust operates as an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan), a model that shapes not only the company’s culture but Perry’s approach to resource management.

“We’re all owners now, so we treat every dollar like our own,” she says.

That philosophy shows up in the details—like repurposing high-end used desks from New York vendors for the Wheaton office or turning an old pool table into a branded conference table and hauling it to New York herself.

Budgeting, in Perry’s world, isn’t about constraints—it’s about stewardship. She challenges vendors on pricing, shops smart, and pushes back when a proposed expense doesn’t add value.

“Sometimes Mama says no,” she jokes, referencing her maternal, no-nonsense reputation around the office. “We make choices based on what we have to change versus what we want to change.”

She’s not afraid to prioritize. While she might choose a $600 chair over a $1,500 model that offers little extra benefit, she’ll spend top dollar to ensure the company’s tech infrastructure is cutting edge.

“It’s all about making smart, balanced decisions that reflect both our values and our goals,” she says.

Growing people alongside the business

Perry’s career at Performance Trust is a case study in what happens when talent meets opportunity in the right environment. Armed with a degree in exercise physiology and a background that includes working for the physical therapy clinic that treated the Chicago Blackhawks and a 15-year stint running operations at her brother’s plumbing company, she joined Performance Trust in 2009 during the financial crisis. She started as an executive assistant and, as she puts it, “just kept jumping in.”

That initiative was noticed.

“They saw potential in me early on and made sure I had opportunities to grow,” she says.

Over time, her role expanded to support a wide range of administrative, operational, and real estate needs. Today, she leads with a hands-on mindset, managing vendor negotiations, lease agreements, office expansions, and the systems that keep the firm’s physical presence aligned with its business objectives.

This journey is one she hopes can inspire others, particularly women who may not picture themselves in finance or operations.

“There are so many opportunities out there, even in industries that might seem closed off. Don’t pigeonhole yourself. If you’re willing to work hard and figure things out, doors will open.”

Building culture through care

Performance Trust’s tagline—Creating Unimaginable Futures Together—is not just a marketing line. It’s something Perry strives to reflect in every office layout, every desk configuration, and every piece of artwork that greets clients or employees. Her work isn’t just about bricks and mortar; it’s about creating spaces that feel alive, inclusive, and functional.

That includes designing offices that support new work habits and a post-pandemic mindset. With hybrid work becoming the norm, Perry has led initiatives to ensure team members can transition seamlessly between locations, bringing their laptops and logging in without any issues. Office layouts now reflect a blend of private spaces and communal work zones, with a strong emphasis on the open trade floor concept—a hallmark of their Wheaton and Chicago offices that encourages collaboration and the sharing of ideas.

Beyond physical space, Perry is a cultural steward. Her leadership style, which she describes as “work mom,” blends approachability with accountability. She wants employees to feel heard, supported, and connected to the larger mission.

“I hope people know that we really do care,” she says. “We’re not just designing offices—we’re building a company that values every person in it.”

That human-first approach is evident not just in her words, but in her actions—from road-tripping furniture across state lines to traveling frequently to check in on offices in the Southeast, New York, and eventually London. She maintains close connections with teams across the country, ensuring that no office or employee is left behind in the firm’s pursuit of excellence.

As staffing accelerates across niche verticals, organizations increasingly require legal recruiting support for compliance, contracts, and corporate counsel roles to strengthen internal governance.