Meet Your Peer Advisors

Hometown: Jackson, Tennessee

Degree: Wharton single degree

Concentration(s): Health Care Management & Policy

Minor: Chemistry

Favorite courses: OIDD 2900: Decision Processes; EDUC 202: Urban Education; ASAM 0116: American Race

What are your career interests and where have you interned/worked over your summers? My career interest are in the intersection of the following industries: healthcare, operations, social impact, and education.

First-year Summer: Administrative Assistant at a primary care clinic (healthcare) and a Brand Ambassador at Intern Queen

Second-year Summer: Healthcare Operations & Improvement intern at Exact Sciences

Third-year Summer: Healthcare & Life Sciences Summer Associate Consultant at Simon-Kucher

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced at Wharton/Penn? Not following the herd. It is very easy to pick the most traveled path when it comes to recruiting and picking a career. However, it is always best to follow your own passions and interests, even if it is not the status quo. It took me a while, but I was able to address this tendency of following the herd and overcome it.

Why should a student see a peer advisor? We have been in your shoes, so we will usually know the best way to help you. Additionally, we are there to help answer the questions that you might not want to or cannot ask your academic advisor.

What is one thing that a new student should learn more about? Coffee chats & lunches with professors and teaching staff. They are great resources and offer great advice.

Fun fact(s) about you: I studied how to win small giveaways in my free time before college. During my golden year, I won over 40 giveaways.

Activities: Nigerians at Penn, Black Wharton Undergraduate Association, Successful Transition & Empowerment Program (STEP), Wharton 1010 TA, Onyx Senior Honor Society, Sphinx Senior Honor Society, Seniors for the Penn Fund

Email: lnnaji@wharton.upenn.edu

Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Degree: Wharton

Concentration: Operations, Information, and Decisions

Second concentration: Marketing

Favorite courses: OIDD 2910 – Negotiations, OIDD 2900- Decision Processes

What are your career interests and where have you interned/worked over your summers? I’m interested in consulting, marketing, entertainment, and sustainability.
Recently, I’ve interned as a Strategic Marketing Analyst at Manzanita and completed the TFA fellowship.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced at Wharton/Penn? Having a strong sense of self whether it’s career wise or personal values. It’s easy to get caught up with what everyone else is saying or doing but that doesn’t mean you have to follow.

What is one thing that a new student should learn more about?Global Opportunities (Penn Summer Abroad, Penn Global Seminar, Wharton International Program, Global Research Internship Program, etc…)

Why should a first-year student see a peer advisor, and what should they ask a peer advisor about? It’s always good to ask people who have been in similar situations to you. I wish I had reached out to upperclassmen and had gotten advice earlier.

Fun fact(s) about you: I can cry on command and love comedy!

Activities: Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Fraternity, Penn Sustainability Eco-Reps, West Philadelphia Tutoring Project, Kite and Key Society

Email: ktsui@wharton.upenn.edu

Hometown: Novi, Michigan

Degree: Wharton

Concentration: Finance

Concentration Track: Quantitative Finance

Minor: Computer Science

Favorite course: CIS 5500 (Database & Information Systems), FNCE 1010 (Monetary Economics & the Global Policy), CIS 1600 (Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science)

Where have you interned/worked over your summers?Career interests: Software engineering in financial or technology industries

Summer 2024: SWE at Caterpillar (Chicago, IL)

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced at Wharton/Penn?Learning to feel okay with following an unconventional career path compared to others at Wharton

What is one thing that a new student should learn more about?Check out Old City! It’s one of my favorite places to walk around in Philly.

Why should a first-year student see a peer advisor, and what should they ask a peer advisor about?I can offer a lot of specific help when it comes to combining the Wharton curriculum with other programs at Penn, particularly with SEAS (whether through a minor, submat, coord/uncoord dual degree)

Fun fact(s) about you: I can identify all of the countries on a world map. I’m also a big foodie (200+ rankings on Beli)

Activities: Penn Labs, PennApps, Penn Chamber

Email: leerache@wharton.upenn.edu

Hometown: New York City, NY

Degree: Wharton single degree

Concentration(s): Finance

Secondary Major: Cognitive Science

Favorite courses: OIDD 4150: Product Design; FNAR 1090: Intro to Painting; FNCE 2300: Urban Fiscal Policy

Off-campus study: LA WIEP: Entertainment and Media Sector; NY WIEP: Tech and Entrepreneurship Sector; South Korea WIP: Retail Industry; Study Abroad in Singapore

What are your career interests and where have you interned/worked over your summers? 

First-Year Summer: First Round Capital, Clare

Second-Year Summer: Girls Who Invest, Wafra

Third-Year Summer: BlackRock

Full-time: Boston Consulting Group

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced at Wharton/Penn? Finding where my interests lie instead of following herd mentality

What is one thing that a new student should learn more about? The Signal Society

Fun fact(s) about you: Took a photo with John Legend, Training for a half-marathon, Can sing the 50 States of America song in under 30 seconds

Activities: The Signal (President); Penn Civic Scholar (Advisory Board); Wharton Research Scholar; Wharton Undergraduate Peer Advisor; Venture Lab Operations Intern; Penn Abroad Leader; The WALK Magazine (Financial Analyst); Chinese Student Association; Kappa Alpha Theta; Oracle Senior Society

Email: amandcui@wharton.upenn.edu

Hometown: Irvine, California

Degree: Wharton single degree

Concentration(s): Marketing and Finance

Minor: Fine Arts (Photography)

Favorite courses: MKTG 2110 (Consumer Behavior), MGMT 2230 (Business Strategy), MKTG 2540 (Pricing Policy)

Off-campus study: I’m an external transfer and started at Penn as a sophomore.

What are your career interests and where have you interned/worked over your summers? Summer 2021: self-published photography book (passion project)

Summer 2022: Microsoft GroupMe, Innovation Team

Summer 2022: Citi, Citi Ventures, Spring Accelerator Analyst

Summer 2023: Bain (Seoul), Associate Consultant Trainee

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced at Wharton/Penn? Differentiating things I enjoy/am passionate about vs. things that take low effort/are “easy”

What is one thing that a new student should learn more about? Office hours, the advising center, and upperclassmen

Fun fact(s) about you: I love photography, finessing one-day trips, and working out. I can’t whistle.

Activities: Transfer Student Organization (TSO), Marketing Undergraduate Student Establishment (MUSE), Korean Undergraduate Business Society (KUBS)

Email: kimjaein@wharton.upenn.edu

Hometown: Old Bridge, New Jersey

Degree: Wharton single degree

Concentration(s): Finance and Business Analytics

Favorite courses: OIDD290 – Decision Processes, LGST 1010 – Law and Social Values

What are your career interests and where have you interned/worked over your summers? Career Interests: Private Credit, Tech investing (FinTech, EdTech), growth strategies for scaling up start-ups 

First-year Summer: Private Equity Analyst at 1435 Capital

Second-year Summer: Private Equity Analyst at Desert Springs Capital

Fall 2022: Venture Capital Intern @ Quidnet Ventures 

Third-year Summer: Private Credit Analyst at Brinley Partners

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced at Wharton/Penn? Learning how to not to get caught up with all the overwhelming pressure regarding clubs, recruiting, and college life, especially as a freshman, and working towards what is best for me and my interests.

What is one thing that a new student should learn more about? Career Services is a great resource on campus that is often overlooked by students. You can schedule as many meeting as you need with an advisor to work through your resume, cover letters, and interview prep. This is super helpful to make any student better prepared for recruiting and professional endeavors at Penn!

Fun fact(s) about you: I love to dance and my most memorable performance was dancing backup for Joe Jonas and DNCE!

Activities: Venture Lab, Penn Masti Dance Team, Penn Venture Group, Engineering Consultants at Penn, Venture Initiation Program Fellow, Wharton Undergrad Finance & Technology Club, FNCE 1010 TA, FNCE 2020 TA, Sphinx Honor Society

Email: samicag@wharton.upenn.edu

Hometown: Warren, New Jersey

Degree: Wharton Dual-Degree

Concentration: Health Care Management & Policy

Second concentration: MS, Biotechnology

Favorite courses: FNCE 2070 (Valuation), MGMT (Teamwork & Interpersonal Influence), HCMG 1010 (Intro to Healthcare Management

What are your career interests and where have you interned/worked over your summers? I’m really passionate about accelerating healthcare innovation, specifically in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and health tech. I want to explore the various strategies firms use to make investment decisions on cutting-edge research that improves patient care.

A secondary interest of mine is in antitrust and merger law, especially in unique markets like biotechnology.

So far, I’ve held internships in M&A advisory, life sciences consulting, and healthcare legal research.
Summer 2024: Summer Analyst, Gordon Dyal & Co.
Summer 2023: Summer Analyst, a-connect Inc.
Summer 2022: Huang Fellow & Margolis Research Intern, Duke Law School

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced at Wharton/Penn? Transferring into Penn after freshman year and finding my place at the University! Happy to say it worked out great.

What is one thing that a new student should learn more about?Penn’s (Non-Wharton) Club Fair

Why should a first-year student see a peer advisor, and what should they ask a peer advisor about?Submatriculating (accelerated master’s degrees), Transferring (internal or external), Healthcare, Wharton Clubs, Wharton Senior Thesis

Fun fact(s) about you: I spent the summer after my senior year beekeeping and did not get stung.

Activities: Philomathean Society, Wharton Undergraduate Consulting Club, Wharton Undergraduate Healthcare Club, Penn Band, Penn Beekeeping. External: Board Member for Eyes Like Mine Inc.

Email: karuppur@wharton.upenn.edu

Hometown: Verona, Italy

Degree: Uncoordinated dual-degree

Concentration: Finance

Second concentration: Business, Energy, Environment, and Sustainability

Secondary major: Political Science

Minor: Computer Science

Favorite courses: OIDD 2000 – Grit Lab: Foster Passion and Perseverance in Ourselves and Others; LGST 2150 – Environmental Management Law and Politics, OIDD 2930 – People Analytics

Off-campus study: Took a Global Writing Seminar and travelled to Mongolia, Took LGST 2600 for which I went camping hiking and canoeing in Virginia

What are your career interests and where have you interned/worked over your summers? Intesa San Paolo, Analyst in Structured Finance (NY, United States)
European Parliament, European People’s Party Andrea Caroppo Office, Intern (Brussels, Belgium)
Courtyard of the Gentiles, Pontifical Council for Culture, Intern (Vatican City)

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced at Wharton/Penn? Time management

What is one thing that a new student should learn more about?Penn Abroad

Why should a first-year student see a peer advisor, and what should they ask a peer advisor about?Class registration and recommendation, Tips on how to succeed in classes

Fun fact(s) about you: I love DJing and playing tennis

Activities: Wharton Europe Treasurer, Wharton Undergraduate Energy Consulting Project leader, Wharton ESG Integration Projects, Pi Lambda Sigma, Tri Delta

Email: mbulga@wharton.upenn.edu

Hometown: Elizabeth, New Jersey

Degree: Wharton

Concentration: Marketing

Second concentration: Management

Concentration Track: Organizational Effectiveness

Favorite courses: OIDD 2910 – Negotiations; MKTG 2650 – Principles of Advertising; MKTG 2110 – Consumer Behavior

What are your career interests and where have you interned/worked over your summers? Within marketing I want to go into brand/product management.
Worked for the ¨Netter Center for Community Partnerships¨ as their social media and marketing intern
currently working at ¨Conaltura¨ a real estate/construction company as their marketing and sustainability intern

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced at Wharton/Penn? Accepting that everyone at Wharton goes at their own pace, so try not to focus so much on what other people are doing. Do whatever you think is right and what makes you happy.

What is one thing that a new student should learn more about?Wharton Behavioral Lab, get paid to be a part of studies and help students/faculty with their research

Why should a first-year student see a peer advisor, and what should they ask a peer advisor about?Seeing a peer advisor can help students find the best classes to fulfill their requirements and what classes in general they should take before they graduate.

Fun fact(s) about you: I love dancing, cooking and going thrifting

Activities: onda latina (latin dance group), fuerza (latin singing group)

Email: lesleyri@wharton.upenn.edu

Please call me: Ale

Hometown: Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador

Degree: Huntsman

Concentration 1: Business Economics & Public Policy

Concentration 2: Finance

Secondary major: International Studies

Minor: Italian Studies

Favorite courses: FNCE 1000; WH2010; FNCE 1010

What are your career interests and where have you interned/worked over your summers?My career interests lie at the intersection of real estate investment management and capital markets, driven by a passion for analyzing market trends and developing strategic investment strategies. I have actively pursued these interests through diverse internship experiences, each contributing to my understanding of the industry’s complexities.
At Invesco Ltd. last summer, I served as a Real Estate Investment Management Analyst, where I honed my skills in asset analysis and financial modeling. Prior to that, I interned with CBRE Group in Milan, Italy, gaining insights into capital markets and the formation of capital stacks. This experience included a fellowship program focused on entry-level roles in transactional processes.
My time at Artemis Real Estate Partners as a Summer Analyst allowed me to contribute to investment recommendations for a $32 million multifamily development, presenting my findings to senior executives. Additionally, at Chatham Financial and Hines Interests, I conducted detailed financial analyses and market research, further refining my analytical capabilities.
Beyond internships, I have demonstrated leadership as Co-Founder of Quechua at Penn, overseeing educational initiatives and cultural events. As Head of the Membership and Development Committee at the Wharton Undergraduate Real Estate Club, I organized educational series and mentoring initiatives with industry leaders.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced at Wharton/Penn?Balancing academics, networking, and social life

What is one thing that a new student should learn more about?Always talk to upperclassmen for advice on classes, programs, and even life!

Why should a first-year student see a peer advisor, and what should they ask a peer advisor about? Academics, mental health resources, financial resources at Penn

Fun fact(s) about you: I know how to speak four languages! English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian

Activities: WUREC, Wharton GUIDE, Hiking

Email: aesoria@wharton.upenn.edu

Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Degree: Wharton single degree

Concentration(s): Finance, Operations, Information & Decisions, and Decision Processes

Favorite course: OIDD 2900 – Decision Processes

What are your career interests and where have you interned/worked over your summers?

1. DSP Blackrock Mutual Funds, Mumbai – Investment Analyst Intern
2. Carnelian Asset Management, Mumbai -Portfolio Management Intern
3. Incoming 2024 consultant at Boston Consulting Group, Philadelphia – Consulting Intern

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced at Wharton/Penn? 

Assimilation into the competitive environment, balancing social life and academic life.

Why should a student see a peer advisor?

To talk about anything – whether it is academics, extracurriculars, social life, etc. The best advice can be given by someone who has been in your same shoes.

What is one thing that a new student should learn more about? 

Cultural centres, CAPS, SHS

Fun fact(s) about you: I am a big adventure enthusiast (went cliff jumping recently!)

Activities: I’m a part of Wharton Council (Committee Head of External Events), a residential advisor in Hill College House, a Cohort Director for Franc, and a consultant in the Wharton Founders and Funders club (WUFFA). I also work with The Wardrobe, a non-profit organization based in Philadelphia.

Email: pranavi@wharton.upenn.edu

Hometown: Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Degree: Wharton single degree

Concentration(s): Marketing & Communication

Favorite courses: LGST 1010: Law and Social Values, MKTG 2110: Consumer Behavior

Off-campus study: GRIP: Thailand, Wharton Industrial Exploration Program: Los Angeles – Arts and Entertainment Sector, Wharton International Program: Portugal

What are your career interests and where have you interned/worked over your summers? Career interests: entertainment, marketing, public relations

Freshman summer: Brand Now Asia – Marketing Intern

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced at Wharton/Penn? Finding my sense of belonging in a community that is very career-driven – it can potentially be a bit frustrating when you have different goals than the majority of your peers, but finding those with similar passions and values has helped me tremendously.

What is one thing that a new student should learn more about? Vietnam Café – the best Vietnamese iced coffee near Penn and a perfect excuse to take a walk!

Fun fact(s) about you: I once had dinner with the Jonas Brothers’ parents!

Activities: Wharton Cohorts, Black Student League, MUSE, Wharton STEP, Black Wharton, Greek Life

Email: chanware@wharton.upenn.edu

Hometown: Barboursville, West Virginia

Degree: Wharton

Concentration(s): Business Economics & Public Policy

Favorite courses: COMM 3950 (Communications and the Presidency), LGST 2910 (Negotiations), MGMT 3530 (Wharton Field Challenge)

What are your career interests and where have you interned/worked over your summers? Summer 2023: Intern to the COO- West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources

Summer 2024: Intern to Senator Joe Manchin (WV)- US Senate

Career Interests: Public policy, governmental agencies

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced at Wharton/Penn? Coming from a small town, I have been surrounded by a lot of the same friends and classmates since a pretty young age. When getting to Penn, it was a new challenge for me to broaden my perspective in order to make meaningful connections.

What is one thing that a new student should learn more about? New students should definitely attend professor and TA office hours! They are a great way to reinforce your knowledge, ask questions, and form lasting connections!

Why should a first-year student see a peer advisor, and what should they ask a peer advisor about? We have been in very similar circumstances as you, and we want to help you make the most of your Penn experience! Feel free to ask about course recommendations, professors, or extracurriculars.

Fun fact(s) about you: I love trying new things and exploring nature! Some of my favorite adventures have included skydiving, sail boating, and climbing a via ferrata.

Activities: Wharton Council, Williams Cafe, WUEC, McNulty Leadership Compass Program, Wharton Women

Email: oturman@wharton.upenn.edu