An event hosted this weekend by the Kairos Society, an entrepreneurial organization founded last year by Penn students, sought to show that entrepreneurship encompasses more than just making money.
The society chose Bill White, president of the Intrepid Foundation, as its keynote speaker. White is involved with a number of charitable organizations focused on helping injured veterans.
After hearing about the meager resources offered to widows of fallen soldiers in the wake of the Gulf War, he became involved with the Intrepid Foundation and its associated organizations, which focus on assisting injured soldiers and their families.
The foundation is named after WWII-era aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, now a museum ship in New York City. The Intrepid, which reopened earlier this month after extensive renovations, will host the Kairos Society's inaugural conference this April.
Also featured was Mike Michalowicz, serial entrepreneur and author of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, who discussed his theory of success and recent ventures. After both guests finished speaking, new members of the Society were initiated in a "coming together of new and old members" said Engineering and Wharton sophomore Vikramjit Chawla.
In the keynote presentation, White discussed his experience in the business world and the need he felt to give back after finding success himself. White's story served as an example to Kairos Society members by illustrating the importance of balancing personal gain with philanthropic pursuits.
White "is someone who has done it all," said College sophomore Jordan Levine, adding that he serves as a reminder to entrepreneurs who "often forget to give back."
Wharton sophomore and Kairos Society founder Ankur Jain described White's charitable efforts as "awe-inspiring."
Similarly, Chawla described White as "amazing" for having "paired success in the business world with a desire to give back."
The Intrepid Foundation is currently involved in the construction of a brain trauma treatment center, which is one in a long line of state-of-the-art projects financed by the foundation. White described his appreciation for American soldiers' sacrifices, which defend the society that has allowed him to pursue his ambitions.
"It's important that we give back to people who allow us to do what we do," Jain said.
