Aditi Rathore

Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

“Chicagoan and development strategist dedicated to linking capital with meaningful community impact.”

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Fun Fact About Yourself: I consider myself a donut enthusiast and am on a mission to find the best one!

Undergraduate School and Major: Northwestern University | Major: Economics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Gates Foundation | Strategy Officer

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?
In addition to Wharton’s well-known strengths in finance, I was drawn to the program for its robust social impact offerings. The Impact, Value, and Sustainable Business Initiative—with its three impact-oriented majors and wide range of co-curricular opportunities—creates the ideal environment to explore how finance can drive positive change. I’m excited to strengthen my quantitative and technical skills while applying them to the issues I care most about.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at the Wharton School?
I’m especially excited about the McNulty Leadership Program’s experiential fellowships, which provide intensive and transformative leadership development through service. In particular, the Golub Capital Board Fellows program stands out because it allows students to serve as “visiting board members” for local nonprofits, gaining valuable exposure to nonprofit governance while leading a project that advances the organization’s mission.

When you think of the Wharton School, what is the first word that comes to mind? Why? Teamwork. From the start of Pre-Term, Wharton builds collaboration into the MBA experience. Learning Teams bring together students from diverse backgrounds to tackle core courses, while the student-led culture drives everything from clubs to conferences. It is more than just group projects; I’m learning how to build a high-performing team and develop meaningful relationships with peers as we learn and grow alongside one another.

What makes Philadelphia a great place to earn an MBA?
Philly has it all: history, culture, and a fantastic food scene! I also love that it’s such a walkable city, where you can explore different neighborhoods, discover hidden gems, and feel connected to the community while being just a short train ride from New York and D.C.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: At the Gates Foundation, I helped develop a measurement and evaluation framework for the Women’s Economic Empowerment team. Measuring impact is difficult, especially when it comes to economic outcomes in vulnerable communities. I worked with colleagues and grantees to design a framework built on strategically significant yet simple indicators. This allowed us to track progress toward our north star of increasing women’s income generation. This framework now enables the team to track results across investments, identify the most effective levers for women’s economic mobility, and communicate a clearer story of impact.

What is your biggest passion – and how has it helped you make an impact?
I am passionate about systems thinking, looking at the bigger picture and how different parts connect to create change. In my work in the development sector, this approach has helped me understand how social, public, and private actors interact. It has shaped how I approach challenges and strengthened my belief that lasting impact comes from aligning efforts across sectors rather than working in silos.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? I hope to work as an impact investor, using development capital to unlock resources for vulnerable communities and strengthen their economic wellbeing.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into the Wharton School’s MBA program? As a Moelis Fellow (Wharton’s deferred MBA enrollment program), my advice is most relevant to undergraduates considering the application process. Don’t worry about checking every “traditional” business box. Instead, focus on showing how your academic, extracurricular, or other experiences demonstrate leadership, initiative, and curiosity about business. Authenticity will always come through more strongly than trying to fit a mold.

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