In this second episode of Sustaining Your Journey, we’re exploring what it means to take a nonlinear path — to start differently, not over. Tommy Bergstrom serves as Senior Associate Director of Leadership Annual Gifts with The Penn Fund, where he’s building new pipelines for engagement andphilanthropy. His career began in admissions, and his transition into development offers a look at how growth often means shifting your sphere of influence — and learning new cultural norms along the way.

Tommy shares the challenges and wins of his career pivot, what it means to build something new from the inside, and how leadership can look different at every stage.

Previously, he served as Director of Visit Experience with Penn Admissions. He holds a B.A. from Franklin & Marshall College and an M.S. in Nonprofit Leadership from Penn’s School of Social Policy and Practice. Tommy volunteers with both his undergraduate and graduate schools, as well as with HeightsPhiladelphia.