The Campaign for Sustained Leadership

Individual alumni are not alone in recognizing Wharton's quality of education. Corporate executives who know the necessity of keeping track of dynamic business trends acknowledge the School's value to the business world. According to Tom Piazze, director of Wharton's Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations, Wharton can provide knowledge to keep corporations on the cutting edge. He stresses, however, that the School's ability to provide this key component is dependent upon having sufficient resources and funding "to stop on a dime and shift – to adjust priorities to meet industry needs." Piazze is also quick to point out that this is an exchange of ideas; these same companies who support the School financially also contribute to and stimulate the knowledge that Wharton produces. In fact, Wharton-corporate partnerships frequently serve as catalysts for many new initiatives.

Merrill Lynch, known across the globe for its investment banking, brokerage, investment and asset management services, is one firm making Wharton work for them. Carlos Valle, W'81, Managing Director, Global Business Head Recruiting and Relationship Manager for the Wharton School, stresses that "there's great affinity in terms of core competencies – on the technical, interpersonal and cultural sides – between the School and the firm." This affinity is one of the reasons Wharton is the largest source of career employees for Merrill Lunch; 400 Wharton alumni represent Merrill Lynch worldwide. He explains that Merrill Lynch benefits by having employees participate in the Wharton programs that the firm supports.

Merrill Lynch is a sponsor of Knowledge@Wharton, and Merrill Lynch's employees have access to Knowledge@Wharton as part of the firm's professional development programs. This sponsorship complements another key Wharton initiative. The firm recently made a significant gift to the School's Financial Institutions Center. The Center's pioneering financial services research, notes Valle, will also be available to Merrill Lynch employees via Knowledge@Wharton. Wharton and Merrill Lynch have partnered to create an innovative executive education sequence. Valle explains that globally promoted analysts participate in a 4-week "boot camp" at Wharton designed to replicate the curriculum and experience of a second-year Wharton MBA program.

When speaking of the need for a Wharton - Merrill Lynch partnership, Valle asserts that it's key for corporations dependent upon Wharton for knowledge and talent to give something back. He stresses that since Merrill Lynch benefits from its partnership with Wharton on many levels, the School should be supported in just as many ways. "The ties that bind are very strong,so we view it as an ongoing commitment – at an institutional level and on an individual level."