Amos Jackson III

Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

“Bold, purpose-driven, and people-centered, while planning to bridge profit and purpose with strategy and empathy.”

Hometown: West Palm Beach, FL

Fun Fact About Yourself: Thespian/Athlete – in high school

Undergraduate School and Major:

Howard University: BA Political Science, BA African-American Studies 2019

Harvard Divinity School: Master’s of Theological Studies, Religion, Ethics, and Politics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: The Office of Barack & Michelle Obama

Office Manager & Special Assistant to President Barack Obama

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? Aside from my classmates, what stood out to me was not only Wharton’s focus on innovation through cutting-edge research by faculty, but also through spaces like Tangen Hall and new approaches to pedagogy. That was important to me because I wanted a program that isn’t just teaching business, but actively shaping how it will be practiced in the future.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at the Wharton School? It was the opportunity to participate in the “Impact Investing Research Lab” and “Turner Executive Speaker Series”. These offerings will provide me with the chance to learn more about purpose-driven capital deployment and hear directly from leaders making a tangible impact in communities. I look forward to participating in the McNulty Leadership Ventures and engaging in leadership stretch opportunities. I also look forward to joining Art Club, Golf Club, and maybe something completely foreign to me like Rugby or Hockey to engage with my classmates in a unique way.

When you think of the Wharton School, what is the first word that comes to mind? Why? Opportunity. I often think about life in terms of opportunity or obstacles, and Wharton represents a place where opportunity is always at the forefront where any path is possible. The school creates an environment where you’re encouraged to take risks, explore new industries, and push beyond your comfort zone

What makes Philadelphia a great place to earn an MBA? The culture, food, sports, and history make it a fun place to live and study. It’s big enough to feel global but small enough to truly make your own during the MBA, while also giving Wharton students access to top industries and leaders and the advantage of being closely connected to New York and D.C.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: It might sound cliché given my previous role, but my biggest accomplishment was supporting the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama. It was a privilege not only to serve a leader who has shaped history, but also to be exposed to a wide array of business enterprises and nonprofit work in the process. That experience gave me a front-row seat to leadership at the highest level while teaching me how to balance service, responsibility, and impact. That experience was another degree in “Life.”

What is your biggest passion – and how has it helped you make an impact? My biggest passion is building bridges between people, ideas, and sectors. Whether in politics, policy, or faith communities, I’ve always been drawn to work that brings unlikely partners together to solve big problems.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? At this point, I hope to step into a role where I can combine strategy, leadership, and finance to help organizations grow and make an impact.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into the Wharton School’s MBA program? Be yourself and tell your authentic story. Wharton values innovation, and that means being different and cutting edge not trying to fit a mold. What I’ve already seen is that you can shape Wharton into the experience you want while still gaining the technical and financial rigor it’s known for.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE MBA CLASS OF 2027: STUDENTS TODAY, LEADERS TOMORROW, INNOVATORS ALWAYS

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