When prospective students ask what makes Wharton special, our answer is simple: the community. For LGBTQIA+ students, that sense of belonging takes root before they arrive on campus, thanks to Wharton Out for Business. Our support begins during the MBA recruiting process, facilitating connections that ensure admits from our community feel informed and welcomed into their new Wharton family. Throughout the MBA experience, O4B fosters bonds among LGBTQIA+ students and allies, equips our members for success in recruiting, and facilitates deep friendships that span our graduates’ careers.
Each year, O4B’s energy kicks off before orientation, with outreach to incoming students that creates instant connections. We launch the school year with White Party, an all-campus celebration that brings together nearly 1,000 students and sets the tone for a year of inclusivity and fun. The event transforms a Philadelphia nightclub via a sea of white outfits, aerialist performances, and euphoric energy.
We continue throughout the year with other beloved events, such as Rainbow Pub, a collaboration with Wharton’s MBA Pub that brings students, faculty, and staff together. Cross-school mixers foster deeper connections with other Penn graduate programs, and Miami MBQueer gathers MBA students from across the country for a weekend of networking and fun by the beach.
Beyond parties and trips, O4B plays a pivotal role in supporting the career success of our members. Our career recruiting pods pair first-years with second-year mentors across industries such as consulting, tech, and finance, ensuring that students receive guidance every step of the way. We also match students with companies actively seeking to recruit and support LGBTQIA+ talent. Each fall, O4B members also participate in Reaching Out MBA, the leading LGBTQIA+ MBA recruiting conference. At 2024’s Los Angeles conference, we heard from soccer legend Megan Rapinoe, who shared an inspiring keynote address detailing her professional journey as a queer woman in sports.
At its core, O4B is more than just a club — it’s our community. Whether you’re bonding at our Fall Retreat, showing off your best dance moves at the Lavender Ball or Spring Soirée, or making connections that shape your career, O4B offers a space where anyone can feel welcome. We are proud to be part of Wharton and to continue shaping the future of business — by sharing our authentic selves and creating a place where everyone belongs.
Published as “Proudly Building Community” in the Spring/Summer 2025 issue of Wharton Magazine.
