Wharton Stories: Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Each year, Wharton Social Impact Initiative works with hundreds of students, supporting them in their quest to launch a high-impact career. Meet nine alumni making a difference through their careers in business and finance.

9 Alumni Changemakers Working in Social Impact

While getting her MBA, Shanel Fields, WG’19, founded MD Ally to ensure critical emergency resources are reserved for patients with true medical emergencies.

This MBA’s Telehealth Startup Saves Lives One Call at a Time

Joan Lau, WG’08, wasn’t planning to become an entrepreneur — but the knowledge, network, and confidence she gained from Wharton’s EMBA Program helped her pivot into new ventures.

How Wharton Helped This Alumna Transition from Scientist to CEO

Two Wharton Venture Initiative Program (VIP) teams pitched their tech startups at the B-School entrepreneurship showcase in San Francisco, co-sponsored by leading business schools.

Student Startups from 4 U.S. Business Schools Compete at B-School Disrupt

“I used to not believe in core values — until we picked ones we believed in and operationalized them. They work if they’re real.”

How an Award-Winning Marketing Firm Fosters Work/Life Balance

Joey Zwillinger, WG’10, joined his co-founder Tim Brown on the first episode of Zwillinger’s Wharton Business Radio show to discuss how Allbirds innovates while staying eco-friendly.

The Co-Founder of Allbirds Launches Podcast to Explore Mission-Driven Businesses

“It’s not all about making a fast buck. It’s about building a foundation, it’s about building infrastructure, and it’s about bringing people into the industry that wouldn’t necessarily have a chance to be part of it.”

Cannabusiness: How Marijuana Industry Pioneers Are Paving the Way Forward

Jeff Raider, WG’10, and other leaders in retail shared their insights into keeping ahead of industry trends at the 2019 Wharton Graduate Retail Conference.

How the Co-Founder of Harry’s and Warby Parker Navigates Constant Disruption in the Retail Industry

Kevin Jackey, WG’20, commutes to the San Francisco campus to fill in knowledge gaps and grow his West Coast network.

How Wharton’s EMBA Program is Helping this NYC Chief Risk Officer Grow a Brewery in San Francisco

“Our background, our founding, was about a grab-and-go concept. As we evolve, it really is about that weekly relationship — how can we solve various points of friction in your nutrition needs week to week.”

How Snap Kitchen Evolved from a Grab-and-Go Meal Service to a Lifestyle Solution