There has been a major shift in the standards used to guide and evaluate business and finance. Years ago, the assumption was that profit and purpose were antithetical. You could pursue one or the other, but not both.
That’s no longer the case. An ever-increasing number of investors, consumers, employees, and business leaders now believe that you can and should pursue both profits and purpose.
Each year, the Wharton Social Impact Initiative (WSII) works with hundreds of students, supporting them in their quest to gain experience, hone their skills, and launch a high-impact career. Our student opportunities include impact investing training, social impact consulting, research, pitch competitions, internships, loan forgiveness, and start-up funding.
Meet a few of our WSII alumni changemakers.
Peter Wang Hjemdahl, W’18
Hometown
Shanghai, China and Kristiansand, Norway
Concentration
Finance and Business Analytics
Program
Turner Social Impact Society (TSIS), President’s Engagement Prize
Current Role
Cofounder, rePurpose Global. Peter helps individuals and companies worldwide take easy and convenient climate action so they can be “PlasticNeutral.”
On a Dream Come True
“My dream of running a social enterprise would have never come true without Turner Social Impact Society. They helped me and my cofounders every step along the way with introductions and mentorship — without which we would have never gotten the $200K President’s Engagement Prize that helped us fulfill our dream!”
Juliet Zawedde, WG’18
Hometown
Kampala, Uganda
Concentration
Finance and Entrepreneurial Management
Program
Wharton Africa Growth Partners, Wharton Impact Investing Partners
Current Role
Product Specialist, Client and Partner Group, KKR & Co. Inc. Juliet is responsible for raising capital for KKR’s first Global Impact Fund, which seeks to partner with businesses that create value by providing commercial solutions to key challenges facing the world.
On Building Foundational Skills
“I learned foundational skills that have been impactful in conversations with prospective investors and internally within KKR as we work to build our impact business. I am grateful to WSII for the unparalleled access, network, and thoughtful research that has helped shape my career trajectory.”
Josh Mccann, WG’14
Hometown
Darwin, Australia
Concentration
Finance and Entrepreneurship
Program
The MIINT, Wharton Impact Investing Partners, Bendheim Loan Forgiveness Program
Current Role
Associate Syndications Officer, International Finance Corporation. Josh’s team created a platform for institutional investors to invest in a socially impactful debt portfolio in developing economies, attracting more than $8 billion in commitments.
On Learning from His Cohort
“WSII activities allowed me to find a cohort of Wharton students who are using their MBA skillsets to address intractable social problems with rigor and new viewpoints.”
Natalie Au, C’17
Hometown
Hong Kong, China
Concentration
Political Science
Program
Social Impact Fellowship (WISE Fellowship)
Current Role
Cofounder, Centre for Gender Lens Investing in Asia. Natalie is helping grow the ecosystem in Asia for using finance as a tool to advance gender equality.
On Changing the World
“Working at WSII made me realize the importance of interdisciplinary work, and the power of making sure gender is incorporated into all aspects of finance. Without the Fellowship, my current think tank wouldn’t exist. WSII equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and courage to take the leap when I saw the opportunity in Asia.”
Matt Stephenson, WG’11
Hometown
New Rochelle, NY
Concentration
Entrepreneurial Management
Program
Bendheim Loan Forgiveness Program
Current Role
Cofounder and Executive Director, Code2College. Matt leads the nonprofit, delivering access to STEM careers for thousands of minority and low-income high school students.
On Growing with the Community
“It has been incredibly rewarding to benefit from and contribute to this growing community that is motivated to change the world for the better. Hands down, the support that I continue to receive from the WSII network is what I’m most grateful for. Whenever there’s an opportunity to serve, learn, or participate, I hear directly from WSII leadership.”
Julia Enyart, C’10, WG’18, Lauder’18
Hometown
Devon, PA
Concentration
Entrepreneurial Management, Africa Regional Studies, and French
Program
Wharton Impact Investing Partners, WISE Fellowship
Current Role
Impact Investing, Research Analyst, Glenmede. Julia analyzes and oversees impact-oriented public market strategies for clients comprising high-net-worth individuals, family offices, endowments, foundations, and institutional investors.
On Guidance from Industry Leaders
“WSII served as my true home on campus. The exposure to thought leaders and industry champions of impact investing and sustainability guided my own investment philosophy and aspirations.”
Robel Chiappini, WG’18
Hometown
Washington, D.C.
Concentration
Entrepreneurship
Program
Wharton Africa Growth Partners (WAG)
Current Role
Investment Professional, CRE Venture Capital. CRE partners with visionary entrepreneurs building category-defining tech companies in Africa.
On Working Side-By-Side with Investors
“The opportunity to work side-by-side with institutional investors focused on Africa is rare. WSII’s commitment to Africa-centric programming drew me to WSII as a prospective student and is one of my favorite memories of Wharton as a recent alumnus.”
Ashley Bittner, WG’13
Hometown
Naples, FL
Concentration
Strategic Management
Program
Bendheim Loan Forgiveness Program, WISE Fellowship, Wharton Impact Investing Partners
Current Role
Venture Investor. Ashley invests in early-stage companies focused on human potential, specifically relating to the future of work and education.
On Developing the Skills to Pivot
“WSII helped me develop the skills necessary to transition into early-stage investing. I am also grateful for WSII’s continued support following graduation. I would not have been able to join the Obama Administration as a political appointee without the support of the Bendheim program.”
Michael Wong, W’19
Hometown
Oakland, CA
Concentration
Finance, Management, Marketing and Operations
Program
TSIS, President’s Innovation Prize
Current Role
CEO and Cofounder, InstaHub. Michael develops accessible automation technology for light switches to directly combat energy waste at scale.
On the Amazing Network
“I had access to an amazing network. Being connected to a community of like-minded changemakers allowed me to bounce ideas off of my peers as we encouraged each other to pursue great things. WSII helped me be more courageous and they empowered me to include social impact in all of my decision making.”
— Nisa Nejadi
Posted: November 19, 2019
