Inside Peri Finkelstein’s Mission-Driven Legacy

Peri Finkelstein has spent nearly two decades turning purpose into action—and building a legacy rooted in impact along the way.

Her advocacy journey began in 2009 with the launch of Team Peri, an initiative that went on to raise more than $1 million over 15 years. Working closely with her parents, Peri helped generate meaningful support for existing organizations, but over time, a bigger vision began to take shape: creating a foundation of her own. After earning her Master’s degree in business, she was ready to bring that vision to life.

Peri set out to build an organization grounded in transparency, intentionality, and meaningful change—one where she could thoughtfully direct funding, give donors clear visibility into how resources were used, and create initiatives aligned with her mission. At just 22 years old, she founded her nonprofit, and in 2023, the Team Peri Foundation officially launched. Guided by justice, compassion, and a deep belief that true inclusion celebrates diversity, the foundation has become a powerful expression of Peri’s years of fundraising experience, entrepreneurial spirit, and unwavering commitment to making a difference.

What are some of the most meaningful impacts your work has had so far?

Team Peri has created a meaningful impact by giving marginalized voices a platform and encouraging difficult—but necessary—conversations. We are making a difference one step at a time through many initiatives, including:

• The Million Dollar Story, which raised over $1 million

• The Julie Adler Scholarship

• The Peri Project, an initiative to prioritize the mental health of caregivers in the hospital

The Team Peri Step Out of Line Podcast and my speaking engagements allow people to feel seen, heard, and represented. While our nonprofit is small in scale, together with the support of our donors, we are creating a lasting impact. The most meaningful moments come from hearing that our work has helped someone feel less alone.

Can you delve deeper into the evolution of your company's mission and values over time?

From the very beginning, the mission of the Team Peri Foundation has been to be a voice for those who can’t speak out, to be a source of light and hope, and to encourage people to truly listen to one another. Over time, that mission has evolved from awareness to action. 

My own experiences as a woman living with a physical disability have shaped our values around inclusion, transparency, and breaking barriers. I am no longer afraid or ashamed of my disability, nor of the word itself. Our work now focuses on confronting ableism head-on, building a sense of community with our Step Out of Line movement, and creating a more accepting and inclusive world.

In what ways has your upbringing or past experiences contributed to how you operate as a leader?

When my parents received my diagnosis, they were essentially told I was a lost cause and that no medical treatments or therapies would work for me. Instead of accepting that narrative, they chose to maximize my potential and found doctors who genuinely believed in me. Whatever equipment, treatments, or therapies I needed, they made sure I had access to them. 

That mindset has shaped everything about how I operate today. I’ve spent my life maximizing my potential—and I don’t take “no” for an answer. I refuse to let my physical disability or medical challenges dictate my choices. I always find a way, and my refusal to be stopped makes sure of it. 

Living with uncertainty from an early age made me comfortable making decisions without perfect conditions, expecting a lot from myself, and moving forward while adjusting in real time.

Have you ever felt like you’re “different”? If yes, in what ways has this contributed to your journey as an entrepreneur?

I was born different (hello, Muscular Dystrophy!), and there is nothing about me that screams “normal.” I’ve been rejected because of my age, gender, and disability, and in everything I do, I face uphill battles. More often than not, I’m a trailblazer, attempting things that people like me aren’t expected to try, let alone succeed at. We’re not supposed to dream big or want what seems unattainable; we’re told something is impossible long before we’re allowed to even attempt it. 

I faced significant pushback when I started a nonprofit at 22. I was called naïve, too young, and not ready, but I funded it myself, learned from my mistakes, and built a successful organization that continues to grow today. I was told speaking engagements wouldn’t work because my voice isn’t the clearest due to my disability, so I use AI technology to support me. I was told getting on a TEDx stage was nearly impossible, but I did it, anyway. I don’t believe in limitations; I believe my so-called differences are exactly what make me who I am. They’ve become my greatest entrepreneurial advantage. 

What’s been the hardest and most rewarding part of your entrepreneurial journey? 

It’s been a challenge to build credibility and recognition as a new nonprofit and to position ourselves as a serious, formidable business, especially with such a young founder at the helm. When I left my prior fundraising work of 15 years to build something, I was also starting from scratch. While my life plan always involved doing my own thing and I knew what I was signing up for, it can be overwhelming at times to establish visibility, earn trust, and consistently raise funds to support our work.

On the flip side, the most rewarding part has been the community we’ve built of people who have truly had our backs since Day One. They continue to show up because they believe in Team Peri and our ethos. Most importantly, they believe in me, and that truly means everything. 

What’s been the most unexpected part of your entrepreneurial journey?

Witnessing how my words and actions can create real, measurable change. I’ve learned how to adapt my voice to resonate with individuals, corporations, and donors while staying grounded in authenticity, blending my MBA-trained business mindset with emotional intelligence, strategy, and storytelling. Persistence has become one of my defining leadership traits; it may frustrate some, but it’s what drives momentum and progress. Over time, my ability to build trust and follow through evolved into advocacy, reinforcing that leadership is built through consistency, courage, and an unwavering belief in my mission.

What’s the biggest misconception others have around entrepreneurship?

That it has to look a certain way. As someone constantly juggling doctor’s appointments, therapies, pain, and fatigue in conjunction with writing my Substack, working on my memoir, and utilizing my MBA as a Marketing Consultant, my version of entrepreneurship doesn’t fit the traditional mold. I’ve always thrived on being busy, but I also carry more on a daily basis than most people. Some days are harder than others, and I wish more people understood what it takes for me just to show up. Every day is a new challenge and a new beginning. When I commit, I give 100%, all or nothing. 

Everything I do for the Team Peri Foundation is driven by impact—not optics—and executed with intention, heart, efficiency, and respect for my limits, even as I push past them. Entrepreneurship isn’t about how it looks from the outside; it’s about resilience, pivoting, adaptability, and choosing to keep going even when the load is heavier than most will ever see. Masking all of it is my secret weapon.

Has your definition of success evolved throughout your journey as a leader?

Over time, I’ve learned that success isn’t a single finish line; it’s something that evolves as the mission grows. I measure success by the level of impact made, not by traditional markers like happiness or the amount of money raised. As a Type A individual, I rely heavily on data, calculating success through multiple factors that can be evaluated and tracked.

Academically, success meant straight A grades, diplomas in hand, and nothing short of honors. During my half marathon years, success was reaching my walking goals with my walker, ensuring my entire team finished 13.1 miles, and earning that medal on merit. In my foundation work, raising $1 million for another organization marked a significant milestone and proved my tenacity. My TEDx represented me stepping out of line and into who I am truly meant to be, as well as finally finding myself as a writer. 

Today, success for The Peri Project is measured by whether our self-care kits and donated funds truly support caregivers in PICUs and those facing extended hospital stays. I’m on a mission to drive meaningful, measurable change where it’s needed most.

What would you tell your younger self if you were to start your entrepreneurial journey all over again?

Develop a thick skin as early as possible because rejection will come often, and you’ll be burned more times than you expect. Learn how to fight for yourself, for your vision, and for your place in the room. No one else can do that for you! You do not need to be ashamed of your disability or hide any part of who you are; embracing all of yourself is where your power comes from. Don’t be afraid to open up and let people in, because the real ones will see you and stand in your corner through the good, the bad, and everything in between.

Your story isn’t something to apologize for; it’s your secret weapon. Learning how to wield it unapologetically will change everything.

How would you describe the journey you’ve had in a few sentences—and would you do it all over again?

I would describe my journey as a consecutive series of moments when I stepped out of line, an adventure of my own design. Along the way, I’ve healed parts of myself I once thought were broken forever and made the younger version of me—the one who never believed she would leave the hospital or survive the pain and traumas—proud. While at times I wish I had started my entrepreneurial journey a few years earlier than I did, raising over $1 million for charity taught me my true capacity and built my confidence. Looking back, every setback and victory has reinforced resilience, creativity, and the power of persistence. I wouldn’t change a thing and would absolutely do it all over again, because every step shaped the person and leader I am today.