Claire North

Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

“Engineer and aspiring entrepreneur passionate about applying cutting-edge technology to improve healthcare outcomes.”

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Fun Fact About Yourself:  I love music. I played the piano and guitar growing up and also taught myself how to DJ!

Undergraduate School and Major: Duke University, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Senior Software Engineer, Gemini

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of the Wharton School’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I chose Wharton because of the program’s curriculum flexibility, which encourages a personalized MBA experience tailored to each student’s professional goals. Wharton allows students to start taking electives right after the first semester, as long as the core requirements are completed by graduation. Additionally, students can take electives across any of Wharton’s schools. I sought a program that, in addition to teaching analytical and leadership skills, enabled me to delve into specialized subjects such as startup entrepreneurship, healthcare economics, and decentralized technologies. At Wharton, I can gain a world-class business education while exploring these interests through electives like Managing the Emerging Enterprise, Health Care Services Delivery, and Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies, Digital Assets: Business, Legal, and Regulatory Issues.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at the Wharton School? I’m excited to join the Digital Health Club! As an avid fan of the club’s podcast, The Pulse by Wharton Digital Health, I am eager to further my understanding of the financial and regulatory complexities one must navigate in healthcare. I am looking forward to meeting similarly-interested peers and industry professionals and participating in Digital Health Day, the club’s in-person conference.

When you think of the Wharton School, what is the first word that comes to mind? Why? Dynamic. Wharton is a dynamic environment where people are highly engaged through clubs, fellowships, leadership treks, and more. The school’s culture is inclusive and inviting. It’s clear when stepping onto campus that students are enthusiastic about welcoming others into the community. Wharton’s emphasis on collaboration and team-based learning through programming such as Pre-Term, the first-year students’ orientation, and Learning Teams helps facilitate meaningful relationships with the incredibly talented and diverse individuals one finds at Wharton.

Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized the Wharton School was the right MBA program for you? Why? When considering MBA programs, I was looking for a top-tier business education, opportunities to build a global network, and a strong emphasis on personal growth outside the classroom. Wharton excels in all three of these areas, so I knew it was the right fit for me. I am looking to challenge myself during my two years here and push myself out of my comfort zone. Wharton’s unique programming offerings, such as Leadership Ventures and Nonprofit Board Fellows, provide the perfect environment for the kind of personal and professional development I’m hoping to experience.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I helped build and improve methods for how Gemini securely stores and moves crypto assets for their customers. During my time there, our crypto custody system held 15 billion dollars worth of crypto assets and was able to regularly support deposits and withdrawals of hundreds of millions in value of crypto assets daily.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? I hope to work at a healthcare technology company focused on improving preventative care or care delivery, with the ultimate goal of starting my own venture.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to prospective MBAs? Why? I recommend the book, This Is How They Tell Me The World Ends: The Cyberweapons Arms Race by Nicole Perlroth. This book dives into the history of cyber warfare and the cascading effects of cyber attacks globally. Cybersecurity incidents are increasing in frequency and sophistication, undermining key digital infrastructure upon which our society relies (such as the recent cyber attacks on Change Healthcare and AT&T). I believe prospective MBAs would benefit from reading this book because it is crucial for future leaders across various sectors to understand how these attacks occur. This knowledge will better equip them to safeguard their organizations in an increasingly digital world.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? HBS, CBS, Sloan, GSB

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into the Wharton School’s MBA program? Reach out to current students and alumni! Wharton alumni are very approachable and eager to help. Hearing about current or former students’ experiences at Wharton is valuable, as it helps you gain a better understanding of the culture and, more often than not, you learn something new about the program.

DON’T MISS: MEET WHARTON’S MBA CLASS OF 2026