Blog Post

Copy of Hero Image Template 1 (1)

Meet the People Behind the Platform | Joseph Mercurio

Welcome to JustFund’s People Behind the Platform series, where we introduce our incredible team! Today, we are thrilled to introduce Joseph Mercurio, Senior Product Manager.


I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and spent most of my professional career working in Manhattan. I currently live in the Hudson Valley where I enjoy going on nature walks and taking in the mountain and lake scenery. I’m close enough to Manhattan to still enjoy all of the art and culture the city has to offer. 

After completing pre-med studies in college I decided that a medical career just wasn’t right for me. Personal Computers were just becoming a thing around that time and I was intrigued. I took some technology classes and landed a job as a Computer Technician for Nynex in Times Square. 

My career evolved quite a bit over the years. I was a Computer Analyst for Solomon Brothers, a Global IT Director at Lowe & Partners Advertising, and a Product Director at Omnicom Health Group, just to name a few. I also explored other careers along the way, including copywriting, screenwriting, and filmmaking. I’ve always loved Art and the process of creating, whether it be a product, painting, writing, or woodworking. I love creating! 

I eventually found my career niche, by accident actually. I was tasked with researching and implementing a digital workflow system, however nothing off the shelf seemed to be a good fit. So I interviewed our internal teams and potential users, shadowed each department to learn their processes, and met with all clients and stakeholders to gain their feedback. I loved that process! I have always been a people person and enjoy listening, discussing all options and supporting clients and internal staff. 

During that process I became a Product Manager. All of my technology experience and creative skills came together and my first product – a custom digital workflow system supporting a global company. It was a huge success! I’ll never forget the feeling of having my vision come to life. Seeing the product being used enthusiastically by thousands of people was a bit surreal and a most rewarding experience to say the least!

Fast forward to today. I’m now the Senior Product Manager at JustFund. When this opportunity presented itself I knew it was a perfect fit for me! I’m at the point in my career where what matters most to me is applying my experience and skills to create the most impactful products, while contributing to the betterment of society.  Every product decision I make and every new product feature I deploy will ultimately help the causes and communities that need it most!

Iara Duarte Peng

Iara Duarte Peng

Iara Duarte Peng is the Founder and CEO of JustFund.

Related Articles

February 29, 2024

Introducing JustFund Search – Designed with You in Mind

When we started JustFund in 2017, I was eager to build a simple way to share different funding needs with members of the donor network…

Read More
January 19, 2024

Welcome 2023 JustFund Partners

In 2023, JustFund welcomed over 20 new partners committed to centering equity in their grantmaking and working together to #resetphilanthopy for good. Values-aligned funders including:…

Read More
January 4, 2024

Celebrating our collective power to #resetphilanthropy, for good

Dear JustFund Community, Thank you for being a valued partner as we work together to change the way we give, so that communities can thrive….

Read More
November 27, 2023

Meet the People Behind the Platform | Maisha Billingsley

Welcome to JustFund’s People Behind the Platform series, where we introduce our incredible team! Today, we are thrilled to introduce Maisha Billingsley, Client Operations Manager….

Read More
November 1, 2023

Let’s Keep Building Together

Dear JustFund Community, Our hearts continue to break with the injustices we are experiencing daily around the country and around the world. At JustFund, we…

Read More
October 31, 2023

Meet the People Behind the Platform | Preeti Shukla

Welcome to JustFund’s People Behind the Platform series, where we introduce our incredible team! Today, we are thrilled to introduce Preeti Shukla, Head of Product…

Read More
September 26, 2023

The Power and Lessons from Rest and Renewal

Dear JustFund Community, It took me a long time to realize the importance of rest and renewal, not just as a form of self-care, but…

Read More
September 19, 2023

Meet the People Behind the Platform | Rachel Haytt

Welcome to JustFund’s People Behind the Platform series, where we introduce our incredible team! Today, we are thrilled to introduce Rachel Haytt, Customer Engagement Manager….

Read More
August 29, 2023

Updates to the JustFund Common Application™

Dear JustFund Community, After five years building and refining the JustFund Common ApplicationTM JustFund is launching an even more streamlined common application process to make sure you have…

Read More
August 15, 2023

Meet the People Behind the Platform | Zareen Rahman

Welcome to JustFund’s People Behind the Platform series, where we introduce our incredible team! Today, we are thrilled to introduce Zareen Rahman, JustFund’s Director of…

Read More