Wharton Stories: Leadership

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“If you go back and just become a more efficient machine, then this was all for nothing. The real value is in how you lead differently,” says EMBA Graduation Speaker Derek Hedbany, WG’26.

What It Means to Lead: Insights From EMBA Graduation Speaker Derek Hedbany

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“These projects began as the visions of passionate Penn students, now alumni, who embody the University at its finest: creative and extraordinarily committed to making a measurable difference in the world,” says Penn President J. Larry Jameson.

President’s Prize Recipients Nirby and Nourish to Flourish Include Wharton Alumni

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“At Wharton, I gained skills in finance and leadership,” says Michael Greer, WG’21, CEO of ArtsFund. “But, just as importantly, I built a network of people across industries: tech, aerospace, venture capital, government.”

From Dancer to CEO: The Impact Journey of a Wharton MBA

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“Strategy and finance matter, but alignment around a common goal is the secret sauce — especially for an organization that’s as dynamic as PHS,” says Matt Rader, WG’11, President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS).

Inside the Philadelphia Flower Show With a Wharton Alumnus

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CarboWells is the recipient of this year’s Y-Prize competition, cosponsored by the Mack Institute for Innovation Management and Venture Lab in partnership with Penn Engineering and the Penn Center for Innovation. The team includes Wharton undergraduates Yash Iyer, W’29, and Bhuranyu Mahajan W’29.

CarboWells Wins 2026 Y-Prize

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“Only at Penn can we combine the expertise of faculty from the nation’s top-rated business school with coaches at the forefront of Division I athletics,” says PAWLA Director Amy Coffey. “This collaboration allows our coaches to explore tangible research and practices that inspire stronger performance outcomes.”

Penn Athletics Wharton Leadership Academy (PAWLA) Hosts Annual Coaches Workshop

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“I realized that no matter your field of interest — whether you are passionate about STEM, arts, law, or literature — in a globalized economy, knowing how to manage your finances and monetize your skills is essential. That’s how FinWise was born.” – Chelsea Rojas

Expanding Financial Education in Latin America

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Lauder Internship Funding Powers Student Impact in Startups and Emerging Markets

Rothbard and Nurmohamed with Wharton EMBA students enjoying cake after completing an electric car simulation (Credit: Serenity Lee)
“This course anchors Orientation Week — a critical period that sets expectations, builds momentum, and begins the process of transformation,” says Deputy Dean Nancy Rothbard.

Transforming Leadership and Teamwork: Strategic Success in Wharton’s Executive MBA

Julie Zhao, WG’25, and Clement Lee, WG’24, in Antarctica (Credit: Matthew Wellens)
“That wasn’t just a Wharton highlight—it was a life highlight. It was a leadership journey that made me see myself differently,” says Julie Zhao, WG’25, of her experience in Wharton’s Leadership Venture in Antarctica.

Conquering Motherhood, a Startup, and Seven Continents at Wharton