Victoria Bernstein Fenoglietto

Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (and The Lauder Institute)

“Curious, energetic, and culturally aware—driven to connect people and ideas.”

Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Fun Fact About Yourself: I spent the summer learning Italian and the country’s history, culture and economical and political landscape through Lauder’s Italy track, allowing me to reconnect with my heritage.

Undergraduate School and Major: Universidad Argentina de la Empresa (UADE) – Global Business Management

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: McKinsey & Company – Business Analyst

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? What set Wharton apart for me was the McNulty Leadership Program. In my career, I had the chance to work with Wharton alumni who embodied the kind of leadership I admire—sharp, culturally aware, and empathetic. They showed me what Wharton has to offer beyond academics: a commitment to shaping leaders who inspire through both intellect and humanity. The chance to develop those same qualities, especially through McNulty’s experiential programs and professors like Adam Grant, was the deciding factor in my choice.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at the Wharton School? I’m most excited about joining WHALASA. As an Argentine, I see it as a space not only to celebrate our culture and showcase Latin American talent, but also to reflect on how we can give back and keep driving impact in the region. I look forward to helping bridge the community together and elevate Latin American voices at Wharton and beyond.

When you think of the Wharton School, what is the first word that comes to mind? Why? The word that comes to mind is community. From my first interactions with alumni to visiting campus during the application process, and now joining this summer, I’ve consistently felt Wharton’s strong culture of support. It’s a place where talented and inspiring people are eager to engage, help one another, and push each of us to become better versions of ourselves.

What makes Philadelphia a great place to earn an MBA? Philadelphia strikes the perfect balance—it’s a vibrant city with an amazing food scene, rich culture, and plenty of events, yet it still feels intimate. That mix creates the ideal atmosphere to build strong bonds within the Wharton community while enjoying everything the city has to offer.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment has been working closely with senior executives and boards across Latin America to expand financial access, enabling millions of users and companies to benefit from inclusion. Beyond client work, I’m also proud of initiatives I co-led that strengthened our office community at McKinsey and fostered collaboration. Together, these experiences reflect the impact I’m most proud of—helping mobilize change at scale while building stronger communities.

What is your biggest passion – and how has it helped you make an impact? I’m passionate about driving growth and impact in Latin America, where the results of our work are visible in people’s lives. Having early exposure to senior clients and boards taught me how real impact is mobilized in the region. Coupled with my Lauder experience in Italy, I’m inspired by how global financial tools and cultural understanding can unlock economic potential. This passion continues to shape the kind of projects I pursue and the communities I hope to serve.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? After graduation, I want to follow my passion for driving growth and impact in Latin America. Having seen Argentina’s untapped economic potential, I’m eager to learn how financial structures can better support development and create opportunities at scale. By combining Wharton’s rigor with Lauder’s global perspective, my goal is to contribute to building stronger companies and communities in the region while strengthening bridges with the global economy.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into the Wharton School’s MBA program? Take the time to reflect on where you want to be, what’s missing to get there, and how Wharton can help bridge that gap. Be authentic in sharing your story—and show genuine excitement not only about joining this incredible community, but also about contributing to it.

DON’T MISS: MEET WHARTON’S MBA CLASS OF 2027

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