Wharton Women hosted several businesswomen for its annual “Leading Across Differences” conference on Thursday.
The April 9 event featured a keynote speech from Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree Bradlee Few, panel discussions, and networking sessions with female business leaders across industries. The conference aimed to offer students — especially women and underrepresented gender minorities — diverse perspectives on the challenges of entrepreneurship.
Ginny Palmieri, panelist and co-founder of the artificial intelligence-powered career growth platform MyNextory, discussed her experience working in a male-dominated field with The Daily Pennsylvanian.
Palmieri highlighted the value of “women leveraging their community” through events such as the conference. She described a strong support system as a “village” that can provide guidance and encouragement throughout one’s career.
“Always take a step back, and when things aren’t as you seem to like, say, ‘okay’ and assess, evaluate, and move forward, but don’t stand still,” Palmieri added.
Few, a principal on the Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. Inc. Private Equity Product Strategies team, explained that she has learned to see an advantage — rather than a weakness — to often being the “only woman, the only person of color, and the youngest” person in the room during her keynote address.
“If you go in a room where you’re being underestimated and you absolutely kill it, that has a way bigger impact,” Few said. “You can take advantage of the element of surprise and really blow them out of the water.”
Forbes recognized Few on its 2026 list of financial leaders under the age of 30.
Few encouraged students who feel uncertain about the future to believe that every opportunity will be beneficial.
“Whatever experience you’re having now will help you in a way that you probably don’t know yet and can’t see,” she added. “So long as you’re learning and growing and building your network and creating advocates and mentors — and also being that for other people — then the rest doesn’t really matter.”
Wharton Women board members told the DP that the conference brought attendees an informed perspective.
College first-year and Wharton Women Vice President of Evolve Nirjara Akkole, the event organizer, said that the organization’s conferences help “inspire the undergraduate Penn community.”
“There’s so much inspiring knowledge and insight to be gained from our panelists and the keynote speaker because each of them have such diverse perspectives, and they each have their own individual unique stories about growth and leadership and responsibility,” she added.
Akkole expressed hope that attendees leave the conference feeling more confident in their own paths.
Wharton sophomore and Wharton Women Vice President of Corporate Relations Kathleen Yu, who also helped organize the event, expressed hope that attendees gain “role models to look up to” after hearing from the conference’s guest speakers.
“We really hope that our members take away from our panelists ways that they can bring more inclusive and equitable leadership both inside and outside of the classroom,” Yu said.
