South Jersey Visionary: Toni Pergolin, President & CEO, Bancroft
When Toni Pergolin joined Bancroft in 2004, the organization was on the brink: facing financial collapse and an uncertain future. Brought on as CFO, she quickly helped stabilize operations and was named President and CEO just 2 years later. What followed was a period of remarkable growth. Bancroft tripled in size, expanded access to care and, in 2017, opened the state-of-the-art Raymond & Joanne Welsh Campus in Mt. Laurel, a bold step toward long-term sustainability.
“We didn’t just turn things around,” Pergolin says. “We built something stronger, something that could carry this mission forward for generations.”
Laying the Groundwork
Before transformation could take hold, Bancroft employees needed shared understanding and direction, Pergolin says. Staff were deeply committed to the mission, but hadn’t been given the full picture of the serious challenges.
“We didn’t have the luxury of thinking big at first. But I always believed we could get there,” Pergolin says. “People cared deeply about this place. They just needed a clear understanding of what was happening and how they could help. Once we started sharing real numbers and talking openly about the steps ahead, they were ready to do whatever it took.”
A New Era
By the time the Welsh Campus opened in 2017, Bancroft had not only stabilized, it had evolved into a $300 million organization with expanded programs, stronger systems and a renewed sense of purpose. The state-of-the-art campus – home to The Bancroft School, the neurobehavioral program and residential services – has become a symbol of possibility for families throughout the region and beyond. It has significantly expanded access to services for the growing number of people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other disabilities.
“It wasn’t just about needing a new building,” Pergolin says. “It was about creating a place that reflected the quality of care we were already delivering and the future we were building.”
But the move wasn’t easy. The original Haddonfield campus had been Bancroft’s home for over a century. Many felt a connection to the space. “But once we made the leap, everyone could feel it,” she said. “We had stepped into a new era.”
Moving The Mission Forward
With her retirement set for 2026, Pergolin has spent the past year ensuring a smooth transition.
“The needs of the people we serve are more complex than ever,” she says. “I’ve done the big things I set out to do: stabilized the organization, built the front door, strengthened the culture. Bancroft is in a good place to keep growing.”
After more than 20 years of leading through change and growth, Pergolin, the ninth president in Bancroft’s 142-year history – including founder Margaret Bancroft – says the organization is now ready for its next chapter.
“Bancroft has always stepped up when it mattered most,” she says. “That commitment to doing what’s hard – that’s what will carry the mission forward.”
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