Wharton Stories: Social Impact

Bioengineering PhD student Ana Peredo spent much of her academic career researching regeneration in the human body. Through WIVA (Wharton Social Impact’s impact investing program), she sought out companies that applied this concept towards addressing the climate crisis.

Why This Bioengineering PhD Student Pursued Impact Investing

Environmental advocate Brandon Nguyen, W’21, C’21, reflects on a trip to Tromsø, Norway earlier this year. He was the only undergraduate student from North America to present his research at the Arctic Frontiers Student Forum.

The Intersection of Advocacy and Academia: How Wharton Took Me to the Arctic

A new gender lens investing report by Wharton Social Impact’s Sandi Hunt and Catalyst at Large’s Suzanne Biegel, W’84, shows key findings on the current state of the field.

Project Sage 3.0: Key Insights from the Latest Gender Lens Investing Report

TIPC gives students skills and experience in designing investment portfolios that maximize impact. A team from Fordham University won the 2020 competition.

Classroom Theory in Practice: Insights From the 2020 Total Impact Portfolio Challenge

A team of Penn students in Wharton Impact Venture Associates (WIVA) sourced an impact investment deal into a startup that aims to champion sustainable and ethical practices in the fashion industry.

How This Philly Start-Up is Making Fashion More Sustainable

“Improv is a life tool that every student needs to empower them to become the leaders of tomorrow,” said Meera Menon, W’20, and Philip Chen, W’20, winners of the President’s Engagement Prize.

Empowering Philadelphia Youth with Improv Skills

Wharton Social Impact’s Sandra Maro Hunt speaks with Ellen Halle and Susanna Hamilton from Off Their Plate about how their organization is providing local assistance during the pandemic.

Help Where It’s Needed: How Grass Roots Organizations Are Making a Difference

Although campus programs, events, and classes were remote this semester, students stayed connected more than ever. Wharton Social Impact students reflect on how they finished the semester virtually while prioritizing impactful activities.

Why These Wharton Students Stayed Involved with Social Impact Remotely

WISE Fellows Qarina Mannaf, WG’21, and Jess Stokes, WG’21, worked with Philadelphia Zoo to help them expand a student-driven program from a local footprint to a national initiative, as well as brainstorm digital marketing strategies to engage their audiences in the realm of COVID-19.

Resiliency and Creativity: How These Wharton MBAs Helped Philadelphia Zoo Innovate during COVID-19

In the MIINT’s ninth annual (and first virtual) competition, MBA student teams from around the globe presented their pitches in hopes to secure up to $50K in impact investments for high-impact ventures.

The 2020 MIINT Competition Goes Virtual