Who We Are
At NORA Partners, we help financial services firms bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to go. We'll work together to refine operations, optimize client experience, and focus your team to maximize growth.
With greater clarity and alignment, you can move forward with confidence and operate at your highest potential.
Our Values
Our values are a reflection of the core belief that NORA Partners was founded upon: People Matter Most.
Be Curious.
Give Generously.
Speak Freely.
Laugh Often.
At NORA Partners, we believe that business success isn’t just about numbers—it’s about people, relationships, and building a future with confidence. Our team is dedicated to providing expert guidance with a personal touch, making even the most complex decisions feel approachable. With years of experience and a deep commitment to our clients, we take pride in creating tailored strategies that align with your goals and values.
Instead of the typical, over-polished professional bios, we’re doing things a little differently. Get to know Gray and Josie—long-time colleagues, trusted partners, and friends—each bringing a unique blend of expertise, vision, and genuine care to every relationship. To keep things interesting, we decided to “blind write” each other’s bios. Take a look!
The Partners Behind NORA
Gray Rudd, CFP®
As written by Josie
Visionary & Master Connector
Gray began his career in the financial services industry in 2013 and has crafted an impressive resume. From financial advising to portfolio management to business operations, he's had his hand in everything. A natural teacher, Gray has a gift for simplifying complex ideas: making them clear, actionable, and impactful. Pairing his extensive knowledge and engaging communication with his fun-loving energy, you will never be bored with him around.
At NORA Partners, Gray is the big-picture guy, always thinking ten years down the road. If your business were a puzzle, Gray would be the one standing back, seeing how all the pieces fit together, and making sure the final picture isn’t just clear—it’s exciting.
Outside of work, Gray’s all about his people. He and his wife, Alex, stay busy keeping up with their two kids, Carter and Blair, and their two dogs, Malbee and Willow. North Carolina weather permitting, you will regularly catch the Rudd crew playing outside, walking the dogs, or at the pool. In the rare event Gray has a moment of solitude, he will almost certainly be on the nearest golf course, enjoying a glass of bourbon, or practicing his newest craps strategy.
A North Carolina native and die-hard NC State Wolfpack fan, he brings the same passion and energy to everything he does. Meet Gray Rudd - visionary, strategist, and the guy you want in your corner.
Meet The Rudds
Josie Secola
As written by Gray
Client Experience Connoisseur
Josie has been immersed in the wealth management and financial planning world since 2016. An avid traveler with a seemingly never-ending calendar, she’s impossible to outwork. Her passion for people is evident in everything she does—it’s second nature to her. She’s also the person you hear laughing three doors down because if she’s not having fun doing something, she’s not doing it at all. Her infectious personality makes everyone feel like they’ve known her forever.
At NORA Partners, Josie is our glue. She’s the queen of organization and follow-through, always two or three steps ahead. We believe in loving what we do and delivering excellence—Josie is the reason we can make that promise. A branding extraordinaire, she has a knack for understanding what you and your clients need in order to feel confident in the value you bring, knowing that relationships go far beyond finance.
Josie lives in Raleigh, NC, with her husband, Pierce, and their black lab, Dixie. In the moments she’s not working, they prioritize friends, fitness, dog walks, exploring new cuisines, and traveling. (Personally, I’m not convinced she actually has spare time.)
With an eye for adventure and a taste for the best life has to offer, meet Josie Secola—your go-to for connection, implementation, and just the right amount of fun.
Meet The Secolas
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.