If you spotted a letter from Susan Jacobson, WG’25, and Dr. Michael Golden, M’81, WG’25, in your mailbox or received an email from them, you know the impact Wharton has had on their lives.

Wharton’s global learning experiences broadened their worldview. From studying AI in China and London to exploring entrepreneurship in India and ethics in Panama, they gained fresh perspectives and lifelong friendships. Through hands-on learning and faculty guidance, their WEMBA journey changed their trajectory, even driving them to launch a startup, Praxtera AI Institute — which recently won a Pinnacle Award for Artificial Intelligence Training Infrastructure of the Year. Their story reflects how Wharton equips leaders to grow, innovate, and thrive.

Jacobson and Golden give to The Wharton Fund as members of the Benjamin Franklin Society— the University’s leadership circle of donors — to ensure future students benefit from once-in-a-lifetime experiences, just like they did.

Join Jacobson and Golden in fueling opportunity.

Colleen O’Neill, Wharton’s chief operating and financial officer, will serve as vice president for finance and treasurer of the University of Pennsylvania, starting on April 13. O’Neill brings a unique Penn perspective as a leader and past student, having earned her MBA from the Wharton MBA for Executives Program, as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University.

“Colleen has been an invaluable strategic partner on all financial matters, deftly managing the School’s resources to enable us to make generational investments in faculty, students, and facilities that drive innovation and excellence,” Dean Erika James said in the announcement. “It should come as no surprise to see a talented Wharton graduate guiding the fiscal priorities of one of the world’s most complex and influential institutions. I’m pleased to see her myriad skills and long-standing dedication recognized by her promotion into this important role.”

At Wharton, O’Neill facilitated the largest operating margin in the School’s history, enabling transformational investments in capital projects and strategic priorities. Beyond strengthening Wharton’s finances, she also orchestrated the upcoming relocation of our San Francisco operations to the Cube in the city’s Financial District, doubling the School’s footprint and upgrading its facilities to maximize engagement with local communities. She also oversaw core investments that enabled the launch of the Global WEMBA cohort, the School’s first hybrid degree program, among other major operational and strategic initiatives.

In her new role, O’Neill will have executive oversight of a broad portfolio of units critical to the effective stewardship of Penn’s financial resources.

Read More About Colleen O’Neill and Her New Role

The Wharton Hack-AI-thon is back for 2026! This annual competition, hosted by the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative (WAIAI), invites students from across Penn to build AI tools in response to challenging prompts. Powered by donor support, this dynamic event serves as a showcase for budding AI leaders — and rewards the winners with top-notch prizes, including the chance to present at a WAIAI board meeting.

Last year’s Hack-AI-thon saw the winning teams outsmart fictional AI chatbots and develop a tool to help educators better support students with dyslexia. Now, this year’s hopefuls will face a new challenge — “to build an innovative AI tool to create and enhance travel reviews with dynamic input.” The competition will take place from April 13–17, but before it kicks off, we encourage you to check out last year’s recap and watch the winning teams’ final pitches.

Meet (and watch!) the student innovators.