Natalie Bergsma

Head of Operations & Organizational Change

What do you love doing outside of work?

I love experiencing different cultures and perspectives, and have been fortunate to live across the U.S. and abroad—in places like California, Atlanta, Ecuador, France, and Costa Rica. Those experiences shaped how I see the world, deepening my appreciation for diversity and the richness of different ways of life. Outside of that, you’ll often find me dancing like no one’s watching, building Lego creations with my kids, or getting lost in local bookstores like Changing Hands in Phoenix — and lately, discovering Better World Books online. For me, it’s not just about the stories—it’s also about reducing waste, supporting community spaces, and giving books a second life.

What drew you to a role in Operation & Organizational Change?

I’ve always loved puzzles—digging into why things get stuck and figuring out how to make them work better. At the end of the day, I just like making things happen. I’m very results-oriented, but I don’t care about performance just to hit numbers or check boxes. What matters to me is potential—striving for better. For me, that means using operations and organizational change to support people through growth, and to shape businesses—and our industry—so they reflect the values we stand for.

It means clients feel welcomed and cared for, while the details behind the scenes are handled smoothly. That way their experience feels consistent, the technology works as expected, and onboarding and ongoing care are thoughtful and supportive.

What has been one of your most meaningful experiences working for change?

For me, it’s been advocating for more inclusive education—especially around dual-language learning and neurodiversity. As a parent in a neurodiverse household, I’ve seen how traditional systems often overlook kids who learn or communicate differently, or who are underrepresented. That’s meant asking schools to look beyond “one-size-fits-all” approaches, encouraging programs that celebrate and expand cultural diversity, and reminding educators that kids thrive when they feel understood. Speaking up, even in small ways, has reinforced for me how much change can ripple out when families and schools work together.

One issue I am passionate about is:

I grew up in a single-income household, and while my dad’s job provided stability, my mom’s struggle with chronic depression and anxiety shaped our family in profound ways. It affected our relationships, our financial limits, and even my own self-beliefs. I learned early what it meant to be self-reliant—working multiple jobs in high school, paying for my education with debt, and teaching myself financial literacy along the way.

Those experiences shaped my belief that wealth should do more than grow portfolios. It should align with our values and be used as a tool to create real change—whether advancing women’s rights, supporting mental health and neurodiversity, or driving progress in education, social justice, and climate action.

I’m reminded of the saying, “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito in the room.” I know big change is needed, but I also believe small acts of kindness toward people, animals, and the planet can add up to something meaningful. For me, that looks like reusing spaghetti jars, cutting down on waste, supporting local and ethically run businesses, volunteering with programs like Feed My Starving Children and For Goodness Cakes, and giving to nonprofits focused on autism and neurodiversity.