Wharton students get a chance to pick the brains of the successful

Emily Gohn Cieri, who organizes Wharton mentoring events, had too much alumni talent for her own good.

"We had people with resources over here," the Wharton Entrepreneurial Programs managing director said. "We had these students who could benefit over here. How could we bring them together?"

Cieri found her answer yesterday afternoon with the initiation of "Speed Mentoring," Wharton's new entrepreneur-in-residence program.

Organizers describe speed mentoring as an opportunity for all University students to meet with individuals and pick their brains.

On the second and fourth Tuesday of each month the Wharton Enrepreneurial Programs will host the speed mentoring sessions. Students can sign up for one of six half-hour appointments with the entrepreneur-in-residence to ask questions, receive feedback and gain advice.

Organizers stress that the program is open to the entire University, not just Wharton students.

"We're open for business to everyone," said Peter Winicov, a spokesman for the group. "It's not just about Wharton anymore."

This month's entrepreneur-in-residence is Rich Materson, the current chairman of Giving Capital, a philanthropic organization in West Philadelphia. He is also the CEO and chairman of Master LLC, a private investment company.

However, he is mentor material more from past experiences than his current leadership titles. Masterson was the co-founder of U.S. Interactive, a dot-com company that created online banners and advertising for clients.

A self-described "recovering entrepreneur," Masterson agreed to take part as a mentor to prevent current students from repeating his mistakes, adding that he wished the program was around when he was an undergraduate.

"I would like to offer insight, encouragement and candor," Masterson said. "This is my way of giving back."

Speed Mentoring has already received overwhelming response. The six appointments with Masterson were filled in a matter of hours.

First-year Wharton MBA graduate student Thibaut de Cours, a native of France, said that he signed up for some cultural guidance.

"I am looking for mentors to help [me] with my ideas and implementing them in the United States," de Cours said.

And Wharton MBA graduate John Fox needed some help, despite his blossoming success. Fox's brainchild "Designworks" was the 2000-2001 second place winner of the Wharton Business Plan Competition.

"People want real, practical advice as opposed to pie-in-the-sky dot-com ideas," he said. "Rich knows about making a profit. He's had four successful startups."

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