Margaret Topielski is the person you hope to sit next to at a dinner party—warm, stylish, and full of stories that make you lean in. When we sat down to chat with the River City Bank VP and Premier Relationship Manager, it didn’t take long to see why her clients trust her with more than just their finances. Raised in the postcard-perfect town of Solvang, Margaret once swore she’d never become a banker. But as she tells it, banking isn’t really about money, it’s about people. A former ballerina with a soft spot for Paris, spa days, and iced tea, she brings grace and intention to everything she does. Margaret doesn’t just manage relationships, she makes them feel personal, lasting, and beautifully effortless.
Hometown: Solvang, CA. As a child growing up, I never appreciated the quaint, small-town feel of Solvang. But now, as an adult, I love going back to visit and playing tourist in my own hometown! It feels like a little Copenhagen on the central coast of California.
First Job: Call Center Representative at First Republic Bank in San Francisco.
First Car: Black 2009 BMW 3 Series Sedan. His name was Burt the BMW!
Favorite Quote(s): "Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.” - Dalai Lama; "A woman should be two things: who and what she wants.” - Coco Chanel.
Favorite Movie: The Devil Wears Prada. There are just too many good one-liners!
Favorite song: “Heal the World” by Michael Jackson. I was a dancer as a child and still remember the choreography to that song and I always feel connected to his powerful message, even twenty years later.
First concert: Taylor Swift. To provide some context, I was in grade school when I saw her. She had just released her very first album and had not yet become the phenomenon she is today. My father found out Taylor Swift was going to play at the local bar, The Maverick Saloon, and suggested we go. Since I was much too young to step foot into the bar, we sat in the trunk of the car and watched and listened from the parking lot!
Favorite city to visit: Paris. I think there’s absolutely something for everyone in Paris: history, fashion, architecture, food, wine, love, and art.
Favorite place in the Bay Area: Cline Family Cellars. This winery in Sonoma holds a special place in my heart because I had my first date with my husband here, followed three years later by our wedding, creating a full-circle moment. We still visit the winery at least every couple of months to pick up our wine shipment and enjoy a picnic.
First site or app you check in the morning: Email, then the weather app. Depending on where my meetings take me in the Bay Area, it could be 55 and cloudy, or 85 and sunny!
What are you reading right now? I’m currently reading three books. I like to keep a self-help book, a biography/memoir, and a fictional novel in rotation, depending on my mood. I’m currently reading Stop Letting Everything Affect You by Daniel Chidiac, Finding Me by Viola Davis, and The Wedding People by Alison Espach.
Morning ritual: My morning starts with walking my 6-pound Shih Tzu, Dolce (as in Dolce & Gabbana). If I have time, I’ll hop on my Peloton bike for a ride, and then I’ll worry about getting ready and caffeinating.
If you have an extra hour in the day, how would you spend it? I would spend it with my husband and dog, enjoying the simple things we love: going for a walk, cooking a nice dinner, and chatting about our days.
Radio or podcasts? I love The Mel Robbins Podcast. Her episodes are a masterclass in self-improvement, with inspiring guests and practical advice on motivation, mindset, and personal growth. She always reminds me to let the small things go.
Who is your favorite hero/heroine of fiction? Lucy from The Chronicles of Narnia. She doesn’t let age or size dictate her incredible impact in all the books of the series.
What is something people would be surprised to know about you? I used to practice traditional French ballet! I was a ballerina from the ages of three to twenty-three, studying under a former instructor from the Paris Opera Ballet.
What did you want to be when you were a child? Funny enough, I never gave a definitive answer to this question as a child, but what I did say was, “I know I don’t want to be a banker!” And look where we are now. I come from a family of bankers, and the business never appealed to me until I understood that banking isn’t all about the numbers; it’s really a people and relationship business.
What is your greatest extravagance? I’m a big fan of a luxurious spa day. So much so that my husband and I decided it’d be best to invest in a jacuzzi, sauna, and cold plunge of our own. So, instead of going to pricey spas, we have it at home!
What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Patience. I think there is a time and place for it, but I have to thank my impatience for where I am today.
What was the best piece of business advice you were given when you were starting out? This is the best piece of business advice a mentor gave me, someone I’m still connected with today: “Whatever room you walk into, you deserve to be there. So, treat it as such!”
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Professionally, I would say my greatest accomplishment is completing my master’s degree in organizational leadership from Saint Mary’s College of CA. I was in a fast-track two-year program while working full-time, and my father suddenly passed away during my last semester. I considered leaving, but I’m so proud to have stuck with it and learned skills I utilize every day. The most important thing I learned is that no matter what life throws at you, you can persevere and look back with gratitude. Personally, my greatest achievement is marrying my husband. He has changed my life for the better in countless ways, and I’m grateful for him every day.
What do you like best about working at River City Bank? The people. For the most part, a bank is a bank is a bank. But what sets River City Bank apart is the people – both colleagues and clients. RCB stays true to its value of employing the best, and it shows. When a client says, “You really enjoy your job, don’t you?” I feel it is the most fulfilling compliment. I know my client has confidence in me and can see the joy I bring to my work.
