EMBA Stories: Academics

Wharton Global Cohort students in Berlin and Bangkok. Credit: Wharton Alumni Magazine
Members of Wharton’s first Global Executive MBA cohort reflect on their academic journeys and the opportunities the program’s hybrid design unlocked for them.

Education Without Borders

Sarela Herrada, WG'25, and her cofounder/husband Matt Cohen in a farmer’s field in Peru. Credit: SIMPLi
“Wharton has broadened my perspective, strengthened my knowledge, and challenged me to think differently,” says Sarela Herrada, WG’25.

Balancing Entrepreneurship, School, and Parenthood While Scaling a Global Business

A virtual meeting with a diverse group of eight individuals displayed in a grid format, each in their own frame. Some people appear to be smiling, and one person is giving a thumbs-up gesture.
“The nonprofit sector is a major part of the global economy. This course gives students the chance to gain practical experience and fill in a missing piece of the puzzle for those interested in social impact,” says David Rhode.

Wharton Launches Social Impact Practicum for EMBA Students

Aaron Ishikawa, WG'21, and Kyle Mounts, WG'21
“We are a testament to the strength of Wharton relationships and using what we learned in class to build financial businesses that are really thriving,” says Aaron Ishikawa, WG’21.

Wharton EMBA Alums Leverage Education and Network to Launch VC Fund

four students jumping in from of Wharton Huntsmans Hall building name
The Wharton MBA Program for Executives was named the top Executive MBA (EMBA) program by Poets & Quants in their 2024 rankings.

Wharton Ranked #1 in Poets & Quants 2024 Executive MBA Ranking

Colorful building with ornate details, featuring the blue and white national flag of Argentina on top, surrounded by green trees and a blue sky with clouds.
This is the first of several installments in the “My Global Business Week” series. Share in the journeys of Wharton EMBA students who venture across the world to learn with Wharton’s acclaimed Global Business Week program.

My Global Business Week Experience: Argentina

A group of people smiling and posing for a photo in a classroom or lecture hall setting. They are gathered in several rows, with some seated and others standing.
“These are people with families, jobs, and lives, and they’re doing this program for the right reasons. They take the course content and immediately weave it into their professional and even personal lives – that’s what it’s all about.” – Professor Peter Fader

Why Prof. Peter Fader Loves Teaching Executive MBA Students

A photo of Russ Laraway's
“Everyone wants to be successful at work. That’s one thing we all have in common… We spend more than half our waking lives at work, and that warrants a rewarding environment where we feel set up to do the best job possible while being totally psyched to do it.” – Russ Laraway, WG’05.

How to Deliver Better Business Outcomes: A Proven Strategy from Wharton Grad Russ Laraway

A group of people attentively participating in a conference or seminar setting. They are seated in an auditorium, engaged and smiling.
“I want students to believe in themselves and know that ethics are more important than any fortune they will ever amass,” said Robert Chalfin, who teaches two entrepreneurship electives in the EMBA program.

What this Faculty Member Wants Students to Get Out of His Entrepreneurship Classes

Wharton students sitting in a lecture hall
“Organizations can achieve long-lasting competitive advantage by leveraging the way they manage people,” said Prof. John Paul MacDuffie, who teaches Managing the Enterprise.

What Wharton Prof. John Paul MacDuffie Wants Students to Know about Human Capital and Competitive Advantage