Nearly 200 alumni and guests returned to the University of Pennsylvania’s campus on November 5 for a reunion with classmates from Wharton’s MBA Program for Executives in Philadelphia. They spent the day in Huntsman Hall, beginning with a warm welcome and opening remarks from Vice Dean Peggy Bishop Lane.
Many alumni took advantage of career advising sessions throughout the day and attended talks with Wharton faculty on the global economy and making the move to entrepreneurship. Mauro Guillen, Director of the Joseph H. Lauder Institute, looked at tensions and shockwaves in the global financial architecture, while Assistant Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship Laura Huang shared insights about switching into entrepreneurship mid-career.
MBA for Executives Career Director Dawn Graham and Director of Alumni Services for MBA Career Management Cara Costello shared information on career resources for alumni, ranging from our resume book and career coaching to our alumni career newsletter and website. “Our goal is to help graduates manage their career for a lifetime, and reunions are a great opportunity to remind alumni of the career resources that continue to be available to them,” Dawn said. “This year, we focused on the Board of Directors Book, which is one way we help alumni connect to opportunities to serve on public, private, and not-for-profit boards.”
EMBA alumnus Kerry Moynihan, WG’91, Managing Director at ZRG Partners, talked about what to expect while serving on a board and the best strategies for finding a board seat. He has served on a number of advisory boards and strategically restructuring Boards of Directors is one of his specialties. “Having sat in the same chair as the leadership team, your counseling counts,” he told alumni. “Highly specific skills can be ‘leased,’ but the gestalt perspective of a CEO cannot be replaced.”
The afternoon offered ample time for career updates and networking, and attendees wrapped up the evening on the 8th floor, where they enjoyed stunning views of the Philadelphia skyline and an opportunity to catch up with former classmates and longtime friends.
Here are a few highlights from the day:
By Meghan Laska
Posted: November 17, 2016
