July 2022 • Edition 11
In this month’s edition, learn about the value of being an Alumni Fellow; join Wharton on the road and find out where the Impact Tour is stopping next; and have some summer fun with the Global Clubs Network.
Building a Philosophy of Philanthropy
Writing for Poets&Quants, Wharton MBA Class of 2022 alumna Azline Nelson explains that being an Alumni Fellow helped her to develop fundraising skills that she will continue to use to support the School and other organizations.
Alumni Fellows are a group of second-year MBA students who:
- Educate their classmates on the importance of philanthropy and of establishing lifelong engagement with Wharton;
- Collaborate with Student Life and External Affairs through a year-long program to learn about philanthropy;
- Organize and execute their class-gift campaign during their final spring semester.
“I decided to become an Alumni Fellow to deepen my pay-it-forward mentality,” Nelson said. “As I build my legacy, selflessly supporting others is a cornerstone of my personal brand.”
The Alumni Fellows program is supported by The Wharton Fund.
Join Wharton on the Road!
The Wharton Impact Tour continues to bring the best of Wharton to cities around the globe. These live and virtual events are opportunities to reconnect with classmates, make new connections, and hear from the School’s thought leaders. Discussion topics included fintech and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, neuroscience, and AI.
A virtual Asia event in June featured Dean Erika James and Kenny Lam, W’96, CEO of Two Sigma Asia-Pacific, who engaged in a lively conversation on women in tech leadership with alumnae Caecilia Chu, W’05, co-founder and CEO of YouTrip, and Peggy Choi, ENG’06, W’06, founder and CEO of Lynk.
At another event, hosted live in London last month, Vit Henisz, newly appointed vice dean and faculty director of the ESG Initiative, spoke with Dean Erika James about how Wharton is responding to internal and external calls for guidance in applying ESG principles on campus and in the business world.
James said, “Business investors are increasingly applying these non-financial factors to help identify risk and growth opportunities. And Wharton is positioned to deliver faculty expertise and next generation leadership in response to market demand.”
Dean James added that Henisz’s extensive research and teaching expertise on the materiality of sociopolitical risks for multinational corporations and their investors, as well as his founding leadership of both the Wharton Political Risk Lab and ESG Analytics Lab, means he will bring exciting leadership as the School crafts the next chapter on this important subject.
The next Wharton Impact Tour event will happen live in Dallas on October 13.
Visit the Wharton Impact Tour
A Perfect Summer Pairing
Summer is a great time to take advantage of the community that is uniquely curated by the Wharton Global Clubs Network. There are social events and educational programs to attend; volunteer opportunities for welcoming new students; and chances to make meaningful connections within the greater Wharton network.
The sizzle of activity from Wharton’s alumni clubs this summer builds on the network’s many initiatives throughout the pandemic, when clubs provided countless ways to stay connected. This was able to happen thanks to the efforts of a bespoke network of volunteers. A School-provided website platform, buoyed by donor gifts, provided an additional virtual support system for both students and alumni who were grounded in their regions.
“Wharton alumni clubs are unique because they are founded by alumni, for alumni,” said Lloyd Thomas, C’06 W’06, president of the Wharton Club of the United Kingdom. “Our clubs provide opportunities to spark ideas, build businesses, and connect with the best and brightest minds.”
There are clubs in 25 U.S. cities and 41 international locations. Affinity clubs also connect alumni based on shared interests, identities, and industries.
Join the more than 800 volunteers who serve in leadership roles through the clubs network — and strengthen your lifelong ties to the Wharton community.