Tina Pagotto, MSW: CEO, Bethesda Project

CEO, Bethesda Project

Backstory

By Sue Coyle

For nearly two decades, Tina Pagotto, MSW, has worked at the Bethesda Project in Philadelphia, Pa. Initially a faith-based volunteer initiative, the Bethesda Project is now a non-sectarian 501(c)(3) offering, as Pagotto describes, “life-changing services to over 1,000 adults annually across multiple locations in Center City Philadelphia,” including emergency shelter and supportive housing.

At the Bethesda Project, Pagotto has worked (in addition to completing her MSW field placements) as a development associate, the director of housing, the associate director, the COO, and now, the CEO, where she is responsible for the management and direction of the organization.

Pagotto’s path toward social work began when she was an undergraduate at Temple University. While studying psychology, she spent her summers working at a camp for children with behavioral and social difficulties. Her experiences there inspired her to apply and be accepted into Teach for America when she graduated. She taught in the Bronx for two years. “That experienced shaped me, helped deepen my understanding of the inequities in our public school systems and beyond. I saw families trying their best to support their children in school, and the realities of the barriers they faced,” she says.

After Teach for America, Pagotto secured a job at a public relations firm where she stayed until returning to Temple for her MSW. “I opted to pursue a macro track with a Management & Planning Concentration and a Health/Mental Health Specialization,” she explains. “The deeper I got into the coursework and practice in the field, the more that decision was affirmed.”

Pagotto was able to join the Bethesda Project while pursuing her master’s degree and has stayed there since. In that time, she describes innumerable moments that have impacted her and, again, affirmed her career path. “Seeing an intervention work after many ineffectual attempts; the beauty of a site honoring a resident who passed away; a staff member stepping out of their comfort zone—the list is long on the micro level,” she says. “At the macro level, I’m very proud to have introduced core values to guide our practice.”

Though Pagotto is on call 24/7 for the Bethesda Project, she tries to find balance. “I strive to limit my dedicated work hours to eight hours a day, and I encourage my team to do the same. I surround myself with family and friends who love to laugh, eat good food, and visit new places.”