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December 2025 – Edition 51

Brian Ellerson, WG’99, establishes a scholarship in honor of the dean; Benjamin Franklin Society member Krishna Srinivasan, WG’00, shares advice for tomorrow’s leaders; and Wharton in Focus returns in 2026 with events in London, New York, and Boston.

Brian Ellerson, WG’99, Honors Dean Erika H. James With a Leadership Gift

The image is divided into two sections. On the left side, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Kate Griffo; Brian Ellerson, WG’99; and Dean of the Wharton School Erika H. James stand closely together indoors. On the right side, Nia Matthews, W’27, stands outdoors in front of pink blooming trees.
From left to right: Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Kate Griffo; Brian Ellerson, WG’99; Dean of the Wharton School Erika H. James; and student Nia Matthews, W’27, a current beneficiary of the Ellerson Family Scholarship Fund.

Wharton Graduate Executive Board member Brian Ellerson, WG’99, has long been a steadfast advocate for Dean Erika James and her leadership. Recently, Ellerson built upon his history of scholarship support with a unique gift in Dean James’s name. The Dean Erika H. James President’s Men and Women of Pennsylvania Challenge Fund, along with the Dean Erika H. James Scholarship, was established in her honor by the Ellerson family. This generous new gift not only demonstrates Ellerson’s commitment to supporting Wharton undergraduates, but also his belief in the importance of celebrating the dean’s strategic vision.

Learn more about Ellerson’s admiration for the dean’s leadership and the impact of his previous scholarship, the Ellerson Family Scholarship Fund, on current student Nia Matthews, W’27, at the link.

Dive into Ellerson’s impact.

Investor, Mentor, BFS Donor: Krishna Srinivasan, WG’00, Shares Advice for Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs

A thumbnail from Wharton Magazine’s YouTube channel reads “Campus Conversations, LiveOak Ventures Co-Founder Krishna Srinivasan, WG’00.”
Krishna Srinivasan, WG’00, offers guidance for future founders.

After speaking with Venture Lab students on campus, LiveOak Ventures Co-Founder Krishna Srinivasan, WG’00, shared entrepreneurial wisdom from his more than 25 years of investing in early-stage companies in a video for Wharton Magazine.

But Srinivasan’s generosity extends beyond sharing his time and expertise. He is also a member of the Benjamin Franklin Society (BFS), supporting The Wharton Fund at the University’s leadership level and fueling opportunities for future business leaders.

Learn from a BFS member.

Wharton in Focus Returns for 2026

An animated GIF that cycles through six still images of speakers and audience members captured at previous Wharton in Focus events.
Wharton in Focus is coming to cities worldwide for a second time! Join us at our 2026 events in London, New York, and Boston.

A fresh round of Wharton in Focus events will kick off in the new year, spotlighting cutting-edge research and valuable insights from noted Wharton faculty. These exciting events will home in on a variety of highly relevant, need-to-know topics, including how today’s business leaders can harness the power of generative AI to spur innovation, which Professor Ethan Mollick will discuss in New York. After his talk, Professor Mollick will be joined by Dean Erika James for a Q&A session.

We’re also proud to announce that our London and Boston events will incorporate content from Policies That Work, a Knowledge at Wharton series analyzing current U.S. policies and their impact on society and the economy. We hope to see you at one — or more — of these engaging events!

Learn more and register for Wharton in Focus.

Continue to explore past editions of the Wharton Catalyst Newsletter