Cherry Hill-based Bancroft, which provides specialized education, therapies and residential care for children with autism and developmental disabilities, has appointed Gregory Passanante as president and CEO. The selection comes after a nationwide search to succeed Toni Pergolin, who is retiring after over two decades.
Passanante has been the Northeast market administrator for Shriners Children’s Hospital Philadelphia since 2023. Effectively a CEO-level position, he was responsible for overseeing four facilities and aligning the organization’s goals and mission.
Before joining Shriners, he served as the chief nursing officer at Wills Eye Hospital.
A South Jersey native, Passanante is a seasoned health care executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience across hospital administration, clinical operations and nursing. Additionally, he has led strategic growth initiatives and spearheaded robust partnerships that have driven strategic growth and enhanced patient care.
Passanante received his Bachelor of Science in nursing at Drexel, Doctor of Nursing Practice from Rutgers University and his MBA from St. Joseph’s University. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Satell Institute, and he serves on the Ronald McDonald House governance committee. He has also received multiple awards for service, advocacy and quality improvement.
“I am honored to be chosen to carry on Bancroft’s incredible legacy,” said Passanante. “The organization’s mission is clear and unwavering, and will be my north star as I work with the leadership, families and the board of trustees to expand access to services and build on the already impressive clinical expertise. I am ready for this new role and excited for the future of Bancroft.”
“Thanks to Bancroft’s stability, the search for a new president doesn’t happen very often; it’s an exciting time,” said Board Chair Heather Steinmiller. “All of us on the committee took this seriously and were very aware of the importance of finding the right fit to continue the legacy of Toni and those who came before her.
“With Greg, we know we found the right person to propel the organization forward and continue to provide critical services to those who need us.”
In the organization’s 143-year history, Bancroft has named only 10 presidents, including its founder, Margaret Bancroft. A search committee, comprising board members and families of those served by Bancroft, sought a leader who could build upon the growth and stability created by Pergolin.
Under Pergolin’s leadership, Bancroft has tripled in size and expanded access to the growing number of people diagnosed with autism and other disabilities.
Passanante will officially begin on Jan. 7, 2026.
