For a Greater Purpose
Outlet: Wharton Magazine
A longtime proponent of impact investing, Bobby Turner W84 is helping communities tackle some of their toughest challenges and setting students up to pursue their passions in the space.
“When I started out as an impact investor more than 25 years ago, the term ‘impact investing’ wasn’t even in common use,” says Bobby Turner W84. Since that time, the Wharton graduate formed Turner Impact Capital, a real estate investment firm that has made headlines for its focus on underserved communities and its partnerships with well-known names including Eva Longoria, Andre Agassi, and Chris Paul.
The wider market for impact investing has also made great gains over those years, echoing broader interest in the view that businesses can both do well and do good. In that vein, Wharton last year launched the ESG Initiative to bring together resources from across the School focused on environmental, social, and governance issues. With Turner’s support, Wharton has continued to foster a range of opportunities for students in the field. The Lauren and Bobby Turner Executive Speaker Series, for example, hosts discussions with leaders and celebrities who are tackling important social issues. The Turner Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Fellows program enables undergraduates to explore the industry with like-minded peers. And resources like financial scholarships and summer internships help make ESG education possible for more students.