As a current undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School studying Finance and Artificial Intelligence, I am driven by a desire to understand how capital flows shape the world and how access to it can change lives. I am also a Varsity Football player, where the lessons of discipline, resilience, and teamwork constantly reinforce my commitment to excellence both on and off the field. Though I have not yet had the opportunity to intern in finance, I am fully invested in exploring the diverse landscape of the financial industry over the next three years. My short-term goal is to discover which sectors of finance most align with my skills and interests. Through rigorous coursework, internships, and meaningful conversations with professionals, I hope to develop clarity around where I can contribute most. At this early stage, I am particularly drawn to the field of Alternative Investments not only for its complexity and high stakes, but for its potential to create generational wealth. From a young age, I have been fascinated by the idea of money generating more money. This interest deepened as I began to earn and manage my own income. The concept of deploying capital to unlock exponential growth is intellectually exciting to me, and it motivates my desire to work in an industry that combines strategic thinking, risk management, and long-term impact. Long term, I envision myself in the corporate world, applying both technical skill and strategic insight to contribute to organizations with a broad reach. At the same time, I am committed to championing equity and inclusion in finance. The industry has made progress, but significant gaps remain in who has access to capital, mentorship, and opportunity. I believe structural innovation is key to unlocking broader participation, especially for asset managers of all backgrounds. One promising solution is the creation of centralized databases for diverse asset managers, supported by public or nonprofit institutions. Institutional investors often point to a “pipeline problem” when explaining why they allocate so little capital to underrepresented managers. A transparent, standardized platform can dismantle this excuse by providing a curated and accessible list of qualified managers across asset classes and demographics. These platforms should include comprehensive profiles, track records, and investment strategies to support rigorous due diligence. While some early models exist—like the NAIC’s Diverse Manager Directory—wider adoption and integration into investment workflows are critical. By reducing search costs and challenging implicit biases, these databases could help democratize access to opportunity and diversify the voices shaping the future of finance. If I had the opportunity to shadow any investor for a year, it would be Robert F. Smith, the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners. As someone who is considering beginning my career in investment banking, Mr. Smith’s journey from Goldman Sachs to building one of the most successful private equity firms focused on enterprise software is both inspiring and instructive. I would be particularly interested in learning how his early banking experience shaped his investment philosophy and leadership approach. Beyond his professional success, I deeply respect his philanthropic efforts, including his historic commitment to paying off the student loan debt of Morehouse College’s graduating class. His ability to leverage financial success for community impact is something I aspire to emulate. If not for my interest in finance, I would likely pursue a path in engineering. The skill set engineers develop problem-solving, precision, and innovation is not only valuable in its own right but is increasingly relevant in the finance and technology sectors. In fact, as financial firms continue to integrate AI and quantitative analysis into their workflows, the boundary between engineering and finance is rapidly dissolving. I am fascinated by this intersection, which is part of why I chose to study both Finance and AI at Wharton. I believe that coupling a business-oriented mindset with technical fluency opens up pathways in fields like fintech, quantitative investing, and risk modeling. Ultimately, I hope to build a career that reflects both my intellectual curiosity and my core values: excellence, integrity, and equity. This scholarship would support me in continuing my academic journey, deepening my exploration of finance, and preparing me to contribute meaningfully to an industry in need of fresh perspectives. I am grateful for your consideration and excited about what the future holds.