STONY BROOK, N.Y. – Stony Brook University Director of Athletics Shawn Heilbron has announced the hiring of Justin Berger as the Associate Athletic Director for Development. Berger joins the Stony Brook Athletic Department after spending the past three-plus years as a member of the Tulane University Athletics Department, where he most recently served as the Assistant Athletic Director for Development.
 
"I am very excited to welcome Justin to the Stony Brook Athletics family. He brings tremendous energy and experience to our fundraising team, and there is no doubt in my mind that he will contribute toward the continued elevation of our department," said Heilbron.
 
Berger will spearhead Stony Brook's development efforts, which includes the cultivation of the athletics portfolio, planning and executing the department's annual campaign for athletics and Seawolves United.
 
"I am so appreciative to Shawn Heilbron, Rob Emmerich, and the entire Stony Brook Athletics Department for this wonderful opportunity. There's an incredible energy around Stony Brook Athletics, and I can't wait to start meeting all of the passionate Seawolves on Long Island, in New York State, and around the world," said Berger.
 
While at Tulane, Berger worked his way up the development ranks as he held three different roles. He began his tenure with the Green Wave as the Assistant Director of Development for Annual Giving in June 2018. In January 2020, he earned his first promotion and became the Associate Director of Development for Annual Giving. After much success in that role, he was then elevated to Assistant Athletic Director for Development in April 2021.
 
Berger was responsible for annual giving oversight, portfolio management and direct solicitation, donor and fan engagement, internal development operations, and campus involvement. At Tulane, he oversaw efforts that led to 13.8% year-over-year growth in unrestricted donations in the 2021 fiscal year and the largest ever single-year unrestricted donation revenue for Tulane Athletics.
 
He brings a wealth of portfolio management experience to Stony Brook as he managed a portfolio of 150 athletic donors and prospects to cultivate and solicit gifts at all levels of support, including Tulane's Olive & Blue Society, premium seating spaces, capital and facility projects, and annual giving opportunities. His commitment to fostering a philanthropic culture at Tulane resulted in over $350,000 in new individual solicitations and over $230,000 in new commitments to Athletics' priorities during the 2021 fiscal year.
 
Berger provided innovation to donor and fan engagement as he created and led multiple new donor stewardship initiatives in response to COVID-19 gathering restrictions, including the Pre-Game Virtual Field Pass series, weekly exclusive previews to the official Tulane Athletics' podcast, The Current, and enhancing the Green Wave Club 'Donor of the Game' efforts and promotion.
 
Before his time at Tulane, Berger spent time at fellow America East member, the University at Albany as a Great Dane Athletic Club Development Assistant from June 2017 until May 2018.
 
Berger earned his undergraduate degree from UAlbany in Psychology in May 2016, where he received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence, the Outstanding Senior Award, and the President's Award for Athletic Leadership. He completed his master's degree at UAlbany in Educational Policy and Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education in May 2018.
 
Berger was a four-year member of the Great Danes' men's lacrosse program from 2013-16. He helped lead UAlbany to three America East Championships, four NCAA Tournament berths, and two NCAA Quarterfinal appearances. As an undergraduate, he was the President of UAlbany's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Chair of the America East Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and a member of the NCAA Division I National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
 
He began his collegiate career at Stony Brook and was a member of the Seawolves' men's lacrosse team in 2012. In his freshman season, Berger helped lead the Seawolves to their third America East Championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.