Adelphi Alumni Profile: Peri R. Finkelstein ’22, MBA ’23

"As soon as I rolled on campus, I immediately felt at home," recalls Peri Finkelstein '22, MBA '23.

Member of Adelphi University's 10 Under 10

Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, Department of Decision Sciences and Marketing, Department of Management

Founder, Marketing Consultant, Digital Creator, Team Peri Foundation

Everything at Adelphi, from its history, esteemed board members and alumni to the opportunities offered by the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, convinced her it was the University for her. Being accepted into the prestigious Levermore Global Scholars (LGS) program and connecting with President Christine M. Riordan, PhD, the University's first female president, solidified her decision further.

Finkelstein's academic experience was deeply influenced by her mentors. During her undergraduate studies, she was particularly inspired by Anthony Dotterman, PhD, associate teaching professor; Peter DeBartolo, PhD, adjunct faculty member; and Professor James Hazy, EdD. After she completed her Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a Levermore Global Scholars distinction and summa cum laude honors, Finkelstein pursued her MBA and graduated with distinction in August 2023. During her graduate studies, she notes that Lauren Gaglio-Crescione '12 and Frank Gallucci, adjunct faculty members, provided her with invaluable advice and guidance.

While still attending Adelphi as an undergraduate, she recorded a podcast on Elvis Duran and the Morning Showto promote Team Peri's fundraising efforts, launched her own "Team Peri Step Out of Line" podcast, and was featured in Forbesmagazine. While earning her MBA she honed her professional skills as a marketer and she worked part time with the Be Like Josh Foundation, served as a marketing consultant for Emmy and Grammy Award-winning producer Jason Halbert, and interned with the A Girl You Might Know Foundation.

In November 2022, she founded the Team Peri Foundation,a nonprofit organization committed to educating and promoting the concept of the power of inclusion to counteract the physical accessibility barriers and ableist views that are prevalent in society. As its president and founder, Finkelstein oversees strategic decisions and establishes the organization's vision and mission. The foundation is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion, particularly focusing on the disability community.

"Our foundation touches on every aspect of diversity, with an emphasis on the disability community," she explained. The foundation's efforts include collaborative projects with other organizations, inspirational podcasts, fundraising campaigns, and spreading hope and positivity.

In 2024, the Team Peri Foundation launched the Julie Hait Adler Scholarship in partnership with Adelphi University. The scholarship aims to support students in the Levermore Global Scholars program, with a goal by the end of 2024 of raising $25,000 which will be matched by Adelphi University's Momentum 2Endowment Matching Campaign for an annual scholarship in perpetuity.

Reflecting on her time at Adelphi, Finkelstein said, "The Levermore Global Scholars program taught me to think differently and, in turn, I saw my potential flash before me on how I could be a leader and create social change. In conjunction with the LGS program and the business school, I found my voice, how to own my craft, and gained confidence upon entering the world as a marketing professional and entrepreneur."

She encourages current students and new graduates to take advantage of opportunities and to not be afraid to step out of line. "Intern, network, stay in touch with your professors and know that the person sitting next to you might just be your business partner one day."