The Value of Arts and Culture
Dublin, Ireland/New York City, USA

In Manhattan, on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day, the executive director of the New York Irish Arts Center Aidan Connolly WG12 announced that it had surpassed its $60 million fundraising goal and planned to break ground on a new building. On hand from Dublin to share the news was Ireland’s prime minister, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who pledged $2.5 million in additional support from the Irish government.

 

The Oculus at the World Trade Center

Wharton Takes Manhattan
New York City, USA

In conjunction with the first Wharton Global Forum in New York on June 13–15, this year’s Wharton Club Leadership Conference lands in the Big Apple on June 13 for a full day of programming and networking at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. One leader per attending club will be given free admission to the Forum, and the Leadership Conference schedule segues into the Forum kickoff celebration on the night of June 13 at the World Trade Center Oculus.

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Members of the Wharton Club of Brazil

West Philly Meets South America
São Paolo, Brazil

The Wharton Club of Brazil held an “Evening in Philadelphia” celebration in October, with more than 120 alumni and guests representing four decades of graduating classes in attendance, including club president Paulo Ionescu WG10, club advisory board chairman Eduardo Musa WG96, and events chair Rafaela Andrade WG14 G15. Event production company Sabiar, co-founded by Adriana Lima G13 WG13, helped make it a special night of networking and nostalgia, with videos of Wharton’s campus, city landmarks, and, of course, Rocky Balboa.

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(Photo: Getty Images)

Achieving Mindfulness
London, England

Henry Ford WG78 GR78 led members of the Wharton Club of the U.K. through principles of neuroscience and explained how to employ mindfulness techniques to enhance one’s business skills. The February event was followed by a networking and cocktails session.

 

Barbara Kahn and Mina Fader visit the Wharton Club of the Middle East

Retail, Marketing, and the Middle East
Dubai, UAE

Members of the Wharton Club of the Middle East welcomed marketing professor Barbara Kahn and Baker Retailing Center managing director Mina Fader for an evening of dinner and conversation in March at the Capital Club Dubai. For an exclusive excerpt of Kahn’s new book The Shopping Revolution: How Successful Retailers Win Customers in an Era of Endless Disruption, see “The 4 Best Retail Strategies.”

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(Photo: Getty Images)

Medieval Times
Sarlat-la-Canéda, France

Travel back in time (with wine, if you like) this October on a one-week tour of France’s Dordogne Valley, home to one of the best-preserved medieval villages in the country. Sponsored by the Wharton Graduate Emeritus Society, these guided tours, led by Arthur Ross Gallery executive director Lynn Marsden-Atlass, include visits to see the pilgrimage site of Rocamadour and prehistoric cave paintings in Rouffignac and Cap Blanc, with an optional detour to Bordeaux.

 

Fireside Glimpse Into Wharton’s Future
Singapore

The Grand Hyatt Singapore was the site of a night of networking and cocktails for more than 100 alumni, including the Penn-Wharton Club of Singapore and its president, John Tsai G01 WG01, in March. The main attraction: a fireside chat with Dean Geoffrey Garrett and Alan Hsu WG06 G07, who discussed Wharton’s role in the future of education and U.S./China relations, among other topics.

Wharton's Global Impact: From Sao Paulo to Singapore

Investing in Agriculture
Accra, Ghana

Dadié Tayoraud WG06 and Jerry Parkes WG06 founded an impact investment firm to support the farm-to-table process in distressed regions of West Africa. For more on their efforts, see “Watchlist: High Heels, Baby Meals, and Fintech.”

Published as “Wharton’s Global Impact’” in the Spring/Summer 2018 issue of Wharton Magazine.