Erika H. James
@erikahjames
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Dean of @Penn's @Wharton School, formerly of @EmoryGoizueta. Expert on crisis leadership and workplace diversity. Author of #ThePreparedLeader.
Philadelphia
Joined September 2009
Today we are introducing #TheWhartonWay, our strategic plan guiding how @Wharton drives greater influence and collective progress in the world. I invite you to join us as we live out the Wharton Way in practice, together.
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Today marks my first day as @Wharton dean. While I could never have predicted the circumstances, my excitement for the vast opportunities ahead of us has only grown stronger. Thanks to all those who have already welcomed me – here’s to the start of a new chapter! #MoreThanEver.
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This is an exciting time to be in business education. And I am excited about my next step as dean of @Wharton. I will also surely miss my colleagues at @EmoryGoizueta.
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Today while on @Penn campus, I had the honor of meeting this amazing woman. Hettie Simmons Love was the first Black woman graduate of @Wharton MBA program, back in 1947. She’s 98 years young! #WhartonProud
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Thrilled to have the @GMA platform to discuss topics so important to me and so pivotal to our country right now: workplace diversity, bridging the gender and racial gaps, and setting the example for youth. @RobinRoberts #GoodMorningAmerica.
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Of all the advice I can offer to younger generations, I come back to this simple statement — it starts with inner confidence and self-belief. #BetOnYourself.
"When we get out of our own way and truly bet on ourselves, that's when we start to create other people's confidence in us." - Dean @ErikaHJames #MondayMotivation
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For me, Thanksgiving is a holiday synonymous with family. I've been beyond fortunate to have my family’s unwavering support – so to them I give thanks. It was their outlook that made it possible for me to confidently step into my new role, knowing their love would sustain me.
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Nearly four decades of @Wharton deanship!. What an honor to meet with my five predecessors at last week's board meetings. They are a bridge to Wharton’s storied history and it's a privilege to build upon that legacy as we shape the future of the school and of business as a whole.
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In welcoming our new students, I could understand the doubts that may have crept into their minds, because I had those same doubts during my own journey. My tips for leading through uncertainty:.▪️Challenge yourself.▪️Consider the bigger picture.▪️Lead despite the pressure
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Looking forward to the conversation as I start my next chapter during such a pivotal time in our country. @RobinRoberts @GMA #GoodMorningAmerica.
Tune-in Alert: @ErikaHJames will be joining @RobinRoberts on @GMA this Wednesday, July 1st between 8-9 AM ET for a live interview on her first day as dean of the Wharton School. Share messages using #WelcomeErikaJames to join in welcoming our incoming dean.
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Very much looking forward to working with you! Thanks for the kind words.
So happy to welcome @erikahjames to the Board of @SurveyMonkey and proud of @zlurie and the rest of the team for their ongoing commitment to diversity in the workplace.
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Today @Wharton is #PennProud and #PhillyProud to be part of an institution dedicating resources to improve youth education in our home city. @Penn. I commend President Gutmann for spearheading this historic contribution to @PHLschools.
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I am encouraged by students & graduates today who have not an awareness of but an expectation for inclusivity. The demands from both women & men and both students of color & white students are a step in finally prioritizing diversity. @NPRATC @AriShapiro
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2021 will mark 100 years since Sadie Alexander became the 1st Black woman in the U.S. to earn a PhD in economics, right here at @Penn. I’m honored to have led off the #PennRaceAndEcon Conference celebrating her legacy & advancing the work Black economists are continuing today.
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Ending my year on a high note attending a wonderful holiday reception at the residence of @VP Kamala Harris and @SecondGentleman Doug Emhoff. The evening brought together leaders across industries, including powerhouse businesswomen Thasunda Brown Duckett and Roz Brewer.
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Thank you for the welcome, @RobinRoberts - delighted to join you and start at @Wharton!.
Looking forward to talking with @ErikaHJames. the first woman and person of color to lead the country's oldest business school @wharton. And today is her first day on the job! The Dean joins us LIVE as she starts her new chapter next on @GMA.
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I am thrilled to have started my tenure alongside such a talented group of professors - join me in welcoming them!. I look forward to seeing the impact they make across our departments and research centers with the wealth of knowledge they bring. #WhartonProud.
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(1/2) We can increase diversity among faculty across #highered through hiring practices, but systemic change starts years prior to that — by promoting diversity among students choosing to pursue careers in academia in the first place. @FinancialTimes.
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It’s vital in business to have a “personal board of directors” – a trusted group of people you can turn to for advice. I’m so grateful to have @LPWooten, @ProfThomas, Neville Isdell & @ZLurie in mine to continually refine my approach as a leader. @WSJ
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On #IWD2022, I join the call to #BreakTheBias – whether on campus, in the workplace, or in our social lives. This year, I’ve specifically had my mind on the bias against women who are assertive in their professional pursuits, which is a stereotypically masculine quality. (1/3)
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I was excited (and more than a bit nervous) to throw the first pitch at #suntrustpark for tonight’s alumni game with the @atlantabraves
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I am so proud to unveil my latest work alongside @LPWooten – my former grad school classmate turned academic partner, sister & more. #ThePreparedLeader, a book that encapsulates two decades of our crisis leadership research, is now available for preorder:
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I'm humbled and honored to be added to @SurveyMonkey's board of directors. I'm looking forward to the new opportunity and the ability to create meaningful change!
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Yesterday, @Wharton announced that women will comprise more than 50% of our incoming MBA class for the first time in its 140-year history. The milestone brought me back to my own journey in academic and business worlds historically lacking female leaders.
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I’ve always taken exception to the phrase “data-driven” because it assumes that data alone points you in the right direction. To me, it’s instead better to be “data-informed” – using data as one decision-making factor alongside personal judgement, relationships, culture, etc.
Before we watch the teams from our home cities (Philly vs. SF!) play today. a timely question from @Wharton #BeyondBusiness on sports analytics: Would you rather have better analytics or better coaching/scouting/team-building?. Here's @EBradlow's answer.
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September 28 marked the end of my proverbial “First 90 Days” as @Wharton dean – a Zoom-filled first 90 days like no other. I took time to reflect on what’s transpired since my appointment and the #leadership lessons I’ve learned thus far.
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July 17, 2020 we lost two icons of civil rights and two very good men. RIP @repjohnlewis and Rev. C T Vivian @ctvli.
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Thank you, @Garrett_Geoff, for your unyielding support and unwavering leadership. To my new Wharton community: Please join me in recognizing Geoff’s tremendously successful tenure as @Wharton dean using #ThankYouGeoffGarrett:
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As we begin a new semester amid a “new normal” for students, faculty and staff, I'm especially #WhartonProud to see @Wharton maintain its No. 1 ranking on @USNewsEducation's Best Undergraduate Business Programs list. My kudos to all who played a part!.
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Grateful to @Deloitte for their partnership on this new initiative aimed at developing inclusive leaders at @Wharton and beyond. Our students are hungry for a blueprint, and I’m excited to build on the great research @StephanieCreary has done to provide just that. @WhartonMLP.
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Last month @Wharton sent another class of graduates into a world that remains complicated by uncertainty, demanding both personal & professional risk-taking. In offering advice to the Class of 2021, I reflected on times in my own life when I've approached milestones insecurely.
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What a thrill it was to address the #WhartonMBA Class of 2023 at last night's Convocation to mark the start of a new journey. Huge thanks to alumni keynote speaker @AWMcNulty for your inspiring words on all the ways @Wharton has shaped your life and career.
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Today I joined Dean @Vijay_R_Kumar in opening this week’s Women in Data Science Conference, a tremendous collaboration across the @Penn community & beyond. #WiDS2021. Proud of both the current state of #AnalyticsAtWharton, and our commitment to push for further representation.
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In today's world, we need to use whatever platforms we have to make whatever contributions we can to improve lives through business. So today @Wharton launches #BeyondBusiness, a 3-part live-streaming lecture series focused on racial injustice this fall:
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Fantastic to be a (surprise) guest w/ @AdamMGrant on the final Wharton Families summer webinar for @WhartonUGR parents today. Kudos to @MauroFGuillen for organizing the series as part of our Lifelong Learning program. We can all learn from our talented faculty - myself included!
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Moments like these make the b-school world feel that much smaller… . How fun to have a chance run-in with a fellow dean at 30th Street Station in Philly. Great to see you, @KerwinKCharles! @YaleSOM @Wharton
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In reflecting on the lessons of this challenging year, I offered this to the Wharton community: 2020 was about handling change; I encourage us all to make 2021 a chance to 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 it. I’m so proud of the resilience we showed, as highlighted here:
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Honored to hear #Atlanta Mayor @KeishaBottoms speak about the city’s strategic pillars at @AtlRotary today. Lots of great, strong female in this great city! #meetgoizueta
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On #IWD2021, I hope we can find opportunities to both celebrate women’s progress and chart a path forward toward addressing the inequalities that still exist today. I #ChooseToChallenge those inequalities by making sure my voice is heard – a lesson I learned early in my career.
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Enjoyed welcoming @staceyabrams to campus for @EmoryUniversity Class Day. Her sage advice? To “own your opportunities” and “prepare for success”, while encouraging us all to “exceed your own expectations”. Thank you again for such inspirinh insights. #GoBeyond
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.@LPWooten and I are so very appreciative of the overwhelming support we’ve received from family, friends, colleagues, and beyond on the road to this day – the day we’re proud to officially share that #ThePreparedLeader has been published:
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And @EmoryGoizueta will always have a special place in my heart as well. Thank you friends and colleagues for this truly touching farewell and for six wonderful years of memories.
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In one of my first times on campus this summer, I sat down with @WhartonMagazine to project some of my core beliefs and goals as dean. I’m excited to now share that story with you all, particularly our incredible global network of @Wharton alumni:
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Look who my son and I ran into at the @Delta SkyClub in Atlanta. None other than the legendary @MsGladysKnight. So gracious of her to allow this pic.
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This afternoon I shared the following message with the @Wharton community regarding the death of Walter Wallace Jr. My condolences go out to Walter’s family, friends, and our West Philadelphia community – all of whom are suffering in the aftermath of this tragedy.
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Congratulations to the #WhartonGrad Class of 2022, which has learned, lived and led in ways no one could have imagined. You are graduating into a future no one can predict, but having already successfully navigated your way through so much, you are a class that is well prepared!
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What a pleasure to honor my dear friend @LPWooten at her investiture as @SimmonsUniv president today. Lynn embodies many leadership qualities, but the one I stressed in my remarks is being the consummate collaborator; her impact will continue to be far-reaching because of that.
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It’s no wonder Jeremy Siegel has become synonymous with @Wharton, as he embodies so much of what we aspire to be – blending world-renowned expertise with passion for a subject matter and an ability to communicate to inform not only generations of students, but the broader public.
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I’m delighted to announce that @Wharton is the lead research partner for #NinetyToZero created by the esteemed Robin Hood Foundation to help eradicate the 90% racial wealth gap experienced by Black Americans.
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The new "Fund for Health," investing $5M in startups that reduce health inequities in Philadelphia, is a prime example of two @Wharton focus areas: interdisciplinary activity across @Penn, and elevating our business expertise to create impact. #PennProud #WhartonProud.
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Honored to get my first chance to experience the magic of a #WhartonForum this week in Singapore. No other business school is capable of conducting such important conversations or gathering so many influential people. I kicked off the two-day event by sharing this message.
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"Do some soul-searching, preparation & learning so you figure out what you have to offer with the world.". Congrats to @JohnLegend, @VntrLab's @Penn @Wharton Entrepreneurship 2021 Alumni Achievement Award winner, and thank you for your wise words to the #entrePENNeur community!
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Our #AnalyticsAtWharton operation continues to progress in its mission of using #analytics to create impact. Congrats to @EBradlow and all the leaders of our analytics initiatives!. I look forward to seeing these and more projects come to fruition. #WhartonProud.
2020 #AnalyticsAtWharton funded projects include:. ▪️Development of new Health Care Data & Analytics course.▪️Support for Incentivized Resume Rating tool to address bias in hiring.▪️Launch of Learning By Doing to develop case studies for teaching. More:
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Looking forward to recognizing @JohnLegend with this award & discussing his work as @LetsFreeAmerica founder: This event is a wonderful showcase of the work @KTUlrich & team are doing to bolster entrepreneurship at @Wharton and across @Penn with @vntrlab.
This Thursday, October 1 at 8 PM ET, @vntrlab will honor @JohnLegend (C'99, HON'14) with the @Penn Wharton Entrepreneurship 2020 Alumni Achievement Award. Watch live at this link or on our Twitter, Facebook and YouTube: Join along using #entrePENNeur!
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Sending heartfelt congratulations to #WhartonExecEd alum Rosalind Brewer on her first day as @Walgreens CEO and board member. Your career continues to inspire not only me, but more importantly future generations of leaders.
Join us in congratulating a history-making #WhartonGrad this #WHM as Rosalind Brewer (WAM’01) – an alum of #WhartonExecEd's Advanced Management Program – officially steps into the role of @Walgreens CEO today. The Wharton community wishes you the best of luck, Roz!
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Big news today! Very grateful for a $30 million gift from our friends at The Goizueta Foundation. Learn more about how this gift will be a transformational one for our school. #goizuetagift #meetgoizueta.
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These are wonderful additions to the @LauderInstitute community. Excited about what @JuliaFLynch and Melissa bring from outside of @Wharton in the areas of political science and diversity & inclusion, and of course to (quickly) welcome back @Garrett_Geoff in this capacity.
The @LauderInstitute has announced three new appointments to its faculty:. - Co-Director @JuliaFLynch, a @PoliticsAtPenn Prof. - Sr. Global Fellow @Garrett_Geoff, now @USCMarshall Dean.- Sr. Global Fellow Dr. Melissa C. Thomas-Hunt of @Airbnb. Read more:
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So #WhartonProud to see @JasonWingard appointed as president of our Philadelphia neighbor @TempleUniv today. Jason is not only a member of the @Wharton and @Penn families – he's also a visionary in the areas of leadership and higher education.
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Sending a thank you, congratulations and best wishes to @MauroFGuillen today as he officially starts as dean of @CambridgeJBS. It would take many tweets to list all he accomplished over 25 years while on @Wharton’s faculty. (1/2).
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As we prepare to celebrate #MothersDay worldwide, I want to recognize my own remarkable mother-leader - Gloria Rosenberg - whose life-long demonstration of all these competencies gave me confidence to soar. Happy Mother’s Day to her and mothers everywhere!💐
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Delighted to join in celebrating my dear friend & former @EmoryUniversity colleague @DougAHicks at his @DavidsonCollege inauguration today. Doug is one of the most compassionate and present leaders I know, and I have no doubt that he will continue to make a far-reaching impact.
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Thanks to #WhartonGrad @JeffWeiner (W’92) for sharing his words of wisdom with our undergrads on a “Business of Life” lecture last week. Jeff’s perspective on leadership in particular stood out to me as a breath of fresh air that runs counter to the #businessschool stereotype:
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We may not experience a year like this again, but we will experience other crises. So we – the @Wharton community, myself included, and beyond – should learn not only to adjust to change but also anticipate it. My conversation w/ @LinkedInNews' @DanRoth:
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It was a pleasure to pick Prof. @AdamMGrant's brain on lessons from #ThinkAgain, including skills business schools should instill moving forward. (Our picks: collaborative problem-solving & interdisciplinary knowledge.). I hope you enjoy our @IvyExec Q&A:
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Today I had the honor of opening two phenomenal events: The @WMYConf – @Wharton’s longest-running student-led conference – and @SadieCollective's #SACE2021. I am so inspired by their common mission of creating a brighter future by building on the legacy of past generations.
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Today I shared this statement with the Wharton community, reiterating our school's unwavering solidarity to our Asian classmates, colleagues & friends. I implore all of us to show our commitment to inclusion and justice by being active supporters of our Asian peers & colleagues.
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Congratulations, President Gutmann, on your confirmation & remarkable tenure. Your transformative work has laid the foundation for an even brighter future, with the tenets of inclusion, innovation & impact providing a blueprint for @Wharton's path forward.
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One of my core beliefs as a leader is in the necessity of reflection, which allows us to prepare for what’s certain to come – change. In that vein, I offer my reflections on a banner year at @Wharton that came w/ unexpected challenges locally & globally.
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Congrats to @EmoryUniversity 2020 graduates and special shout out to all @EmoryGoizueta BBA, MBA, MSBA and PhD graduates. This is YOUR time!.
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Sending an early, warm welcome to President Magill and immense thanks to President Gutmann for her leadership and colleagueship. Looking forward to a bright future and all of the work @Wharton can do with our campus partners to make an impact. #PennProud
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Wonderful meeting so many @Wharton alumni in San Francisco this week for the start of the #WhartonImpact Tour. Your enthusiasm was palpable and it was a thrill to experience first-hand. Thanks to Prof. @KHosanagar for sharing your insights and fascinating work with @WhartonAIB.
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Loved spending time with #WhartonUndergrad and @PennWBB star Kayla Padilla on campus last week. If you're not familiar with her story or success, @Penn_Today did a wonderful job capturing it in this piece: Keep shining on and off the court, @kaylacp_!
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Honored to open my home to host my mentor and new @Morehouse president @ProfThomas tonight. A hearty “welcome to #Atlanta” for he and his wife. Good food, great people and a mission to serve the next generation of youth. Nothing greater.
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Congrats to Wharton Professor of Finance Jessica Wachter who has been named the SEC’s (@SEC_News) new Chief Economist and Director of the Division of Economic and Risk Analysis.
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Heartiest #goizuetakudos to Vilma Todri (@vtodri ) who has just been awarded the highly prestigious Emory Williams Distinguished Teaching Award!.
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What a privilege for not only myself but the entire @Penn community to be able to learn from @DrIbram yesterday. Thank you for your reflections on the meaning of #Juneteenth, how to be antiracist, and the role #highereducation and business leaders can play in antiracism.
During yesterday's @Penn day of reflection in honor of #Juneteenth, Dean @ErikaHJames hosted @DrIbram X. Kendi for a community conversation. Learn more about the holiday and explore resources from Ron Brown, CEO of the Pennsylvania Juneteenth Coalition:
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Today represents a positive step in our commitment to bringing students together safely. My sincere thanks to all who've worked behind the scenes to make this possible, and a special “welcome back” to our @Wharton MBAs starting classes under a new hybrid format. #WhartonProud.
We are thrilled to begin welcoming students back to campus today as the #WhartonMBA program's spring semester opens with a hybrid format option. For the latest details on spring semester plans across our programs, visit (1/2)
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Please join me in welcoming Renita - I'm thrilled to bring her on board and work with her to take @Wharton to the next level. #WhartonProud.
We are pleased to officially welcome Renita Miller today as Wharton's inaugural Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer (CDO). Miller will report directly to Dean @ErikaHJames to align and amplify the School’s existing and exploratory DEI practices:
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Shoutout to my @EmoryUniversity colleague @CarlosdelRio7. Appreciate all you are doing to keep us informed about Coronavirus and providing important safety tips.
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I have long been a believer that the best way to impact the future for ALL women is for individual women to bet on themselves. In this vein, it felt particularly inspiring to address the @Wharton MBA and undergraduate women’s clubs at a pivotal time like this. #WhartonWomen
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Wonderful to meet with #WhartonGrad & minister @AshwiniVaishnaw (WG'10) ahead of #WhartonImpact Tour: Mumbai. We had an illuminating discussion with Rohit Kumar (WG'95) of @WhartonDelhi about India’s economic transformation driven by investments in infrastructure & digital tech.
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I've been so inspired by this year's graduating class & look forward to celebrating their accomplishments this #WhartonGrad. I hope the entire @Wharton & @Penn community – including these fantastic speakers – joins me in uplifting the Class of '21 during these challenging times.
We are thrilled to have these 4 speakers participate in a keynote conversation with a graduating student from each of our degree programs during the #WhartonGrad virtual ceremony:. 🎓 Rosalind Brewer, @Walgreens.🎓 @ToryBurch.🎓 @SundarPichai, @Google.🎓 Marc Rowan, @ApolloGlobal
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As new leaders start at @PennLaw and @PennGSE, I’d like to thank outgoing deans Ted Ruger and Pam Grossman for their partnership and friendship. I’d also like to welcome new deans Sophia Lee and @KatharineStrunk, with whom I look forward to building similar relationships. (1/2)
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Joining @Wharton means joining a powerful network of alumni & I was thrilled to be able to connect with some of them – led by @KarenFinerman – today as part of the #MoreThanEver tour. I sense & share their pride in ensuring Wharton remains at the forefront of business education.
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Great chat with @KristenScholer about the environment for #women in #bschools
http://t.co/BZ0FmPZKoy
#projectengage
http://t.co/SkZVAkGuww.
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Honored to represent @EmoryGoizueta and receive the 2018 NBMBAA Chapter of the Year award! Such an important and invaluable work being done by this organization - we are thrilled to be in partnership! #GoBeyond #NBMBAA18
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Continuing education for professionals should be a priority, especially during times of uncertainty or crisis. I encourage you to make #lifelonglearning a priority and seek out opportunities to grow and demonstrate your leadership. #WhartonExecEd
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My message to the Class of 2022: While this milestone marks the culmination of years of hard work, it is merely a checkpoint and not the finish line; it’s all of the ways you find to leverage the experience moving forward that will define your journey. @Wharton #WhartonGrad
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On Oct. 16 we honor the legacy of @Penn alum & Philadelphia pioneer Sadie Alexander, the 1st black woman in the U.S. to earn a PhD in #economics. Proud to lead off an event elevating current black economists & promoting race-related research in the field.
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Thank you @IamWesMoore for making @Wharton a part of @RobinHoodNYC's #NoCityLimits. It’s been heartening for me to see that the challenge we discussed – closing the racial #wealthgap – is important to so many in the Wharton community, including Profs. @femonomics & @JuddKessler.
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Wishing @RisaLavizzo the best as she begins the next chapter of her distinguished career!. @Wharton is grateful for her brilliant work as a professor and, as a Wharton MBA alum, especially proud of the immense impact she’s made within academia, government service & philanthropy.
On this first day of #BlackHistoryMonth, join us in celebrating the career of Dr. @RisaLavizzo-Mourey (WG’86), a longtime @Penn faculty member and former @RWJF CEO who officially retired yesterday. 👏 #WhartonGrad. Learn more about her trailblazing career:
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