Wharton Stories: Leadership

A group of hikers posing for a photo on a trail, surrounded by a lush green landscape and mountains in the background. They are wearing outdoor gear and backpacks.
“Many of my Wharton professors come from backgrounds rooted in real-world business experiences and thus they teach from real-world examples. The Leadership Venture was an opportunity to expand on Wharton’s other real-world opportunities.” – Jacob Pollack, W’25

A Wharton Undergraduate Leadership Odyssey in Patagonia

A person wearing a cycling jersey and helmet walking on a sandy path towards a beach, surrounded by beach grass and dunes. The ocean is visible in the background.
“Penn is a shockingly supportive place for an adventure like this. The plethora of resources for the whole community is staggering. If they can’t get something directly, the second-degree connections will take care of it. It surprised me in the best way possible.” – Ryan Torres W’25

Undergraduate to Cycle World’s Highest Volcano to Raise Funds for Cycling Access

A hand holding a tree growing out of a pile of gold coins, symbolizing financial growth and investment in sustainability.
Handpicked by Google to lead their Developer Student Club at Penn, Sapphira Ching, W’24, also founded Penn’s first ESG innovation-driven club.

A Wharton Undergrad Pursues Passions for ESG and Innovation

Illustration of diverse hands raised in the air, representing inclusivity and participation.
Undergraduate teams across the country were challenged to review the Biden administration’s pledge to clean up coal mine pollution, involving Indigenous land, sustainability, and climate.

Wharton Hosts the 2022 Diversity Case Competition

Headshots of Dean and leaders of ROE and student leaders of WEDIG
“If we could just have a candid conversation with our Dean about what she believes in, what would we want to hear from her?”

Students Chat With the Dean About Diversity at Wharton

A group of students in party hats and glasses smile for the camera in front of a pink background.
Tanusri Balla, a senior in the M&T Program, shared how being a Wharton 101 TA and Co-Chair of Wharton Council enabled her to positively impact the freshman experience.

How This Undergrad Revamped the Club Recruitment Process for Wharton Freshmen

Four people stand with arms crossed behind Ben on the Bench statue and wear masks and gloves. Ben is also wearing a face mask
From donations to delivery services for at-risk populations, the Wharton community is joining in the fight against the pandemic.

How Wharton Students Are Supporting COVID-19 Relief Efforts

A person is speaking at a podium with a microphone during the MARC (Marketing Advertising and Retail Conference). A banner in the background displays conference details and illustrations of landmarks.
At this year’s MARC Conference, undergrads heard from Wharton alum and Christian Lacroix CEO Nicolas Topiol on how he helped revive the luxury fashion house post-bankruptcy.

4 Brand Strategies That Put Christian Lacroix Back on the Runway

A collage of headshots featuring a diverse group of smiling individuals, using a blue and gray color scheme.
Each year, Wharton Social Impact Initiative works with hundreds of students, supporting them in their quest to launch a high-impact career. Meet nine alumni making a difference through their careers in business and finance.

9 Alumni Changemakers Working in Social Impact

A man smiling in a suit with flowering trees in the background
Matthew Caulfield, W’16, GW’20, transferred to Wharton in his sophomore year and stayed to pursue a PhD in Ethics and Legal Studies. His involvement in election tech research has made him a spokesperson at national conferences.

PhD Candidate Matthew Caulfield Became an Election Technology Expert — As an Undergrad