Wharton Tech Toks

Francesca Migliori is a global digital and e-commerce executive with expertise in omnichannel strategies, CRM, and startup advisement. Join us in this exciting episode as Debbie Cheng (Wharton Class of 2026) and Francesca Migliori discuss her journey from Wharton to investment banking to leadership roles across various organizations including Gucci and Loro Piana. She shares riveting stories leading digital transformation initiatives that enhance customer engagement and market expansion, as well as her new adventure driving operational excellence and digital innovation in publishing as COO of Lost River Press.

Join us for this episode with Elizabeth Pemmerl, Chief Revenue Officer at GitHub. Elizabeth shares her journey from early roles in marketing and PR to leading revenue strategy at one of the world’s most influential developer platforms. We discuss her decade-long rise through GitHub, how the company is leveraging AI, and what it takes to lead with both ambition and balance. This is a must-listen if you’re curious about breaking into tech leadership, scaling within an org, or understanding how AI is shaping enterprise strategy. If you enjoy the show, share it with a friend and drop us a comment!

In this episode, Julien Guiot sits down with Ian Samuels, Founding Partner at New System Ventures, to discuss how the firm backs ambitious founders building solutions for a decarbonized future. Ian shares his perspective on investing in hard tech, the role of government in accelerating climate innovation, and why now is the moment for deep, systems-level change. The conversation covers topics like climate infrastructure, the intersection of policy and capital, and what it takes to scale breakthrough technologies. Tune in for a compelling discussion on how visionary venture capital can help catalyze the transition to a more sustainable and resilient economy.

Vas Natarajan, a partner at Accel with extensive experience in infrastructure and AI investing, shares insights into venture capital. He discusses his journey from Insight to Accel and how venture firms can identify lasting value in AI. Vas also explores how startups can disrupt incumbents by focusing on underserved users and adopting unique distribution strategies. Furthermore, he emphasizes the importance of founder traits and non-consensus markets for success, suggesting that enduring advantages in AI lie more in user experience and branding than in mere technology.

In this episode, Julien Guiot sits down with Jake Wieseneck, Principal at Maniv Mobility, to explore the firm's strategic approach to investing in transportation innovation and mobility technologies. Jake shares insights into how Maniv identifies and supports early-stage startups that are digitizing and decarbonizing the movement of people and goods. They discuss key trends shaping the future of mobility, including advancements in electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and urban transportation solutions. The conversation also delves into the challenges and opportunities within the evolving automotive landscape and how strategic investments can accelerate the transition to cleaner, smarter transportation systems. Tune in for an engaging discussion on the intersection of venture capital and the sustainable transformation of global transportation. 

Join us for this episode with Claire Lecarpentier, Director of Product Strategy & Operations for Platform AI at ServiceNow. After experiences in consulting and corporate venture, Claire transitioned to Product Strategy at leading enterprise service provider ServiceNow. This is a great episode if you are interested in learning how to transition from consulting or banking into the technology industry, especially at AI-driven firms. If you like the show, make sure to share it with a friend, and feel free to leave a comment, too!

In this episode, we sit down with Pete Schork, a Principal at the Broadscale Group, to discuss the firm's unique approach to investing in climate, energy, and industrial solutions. Pete explains how Broadscale strategically leverages partnerships with large corporations and family offices to scale impactful climate technologies, highlighting their investments in electric vehicle infrastructure, renewable energy financing, and decarbonization platforms. In this episode we explore key questions like what makes corporate-startup partnerships effective and how capital-intensive businesses offer unique opportunities in climate tech. Tune in for an insightful conversation on how strategic partnerships and thoughtful venture investment are powering the clean energy revolution.

In this episode, we sit down with Selina Tobaccowala, co-founder and CEO of HomeBoost, to discuss her journey as a serial entrepreneur and tech leader. From her early days at Evite to scaling SurveyMonkey, Selina shares key lessons on building and growing successful tech companies. We also explore how HomeBoost is using AI to revolutionize home energy efficiency. Don’t miss this insightful conversation with one of the industry’s most innovative leaders!

In this conversation, Wesley Tillu, a Wharton MBA graduate and partner at S32 Ventures, delves into the dynamic world of AI and deep tech investing. He shares his journey from engineering and banking to venture capital, highlighting key challenges faced by tech giants and the rise of agile startups. Wesley reveals insights into identifying valuable AI startups and successful founders, alongside discussing innovative business models in content monetization. Tune in for expert advice on navigating the competitive VC landscape!

In this engaging chat, Jonathan Arena, a design founder with a rich background at Facebook, Cruise, and Patreon, shares insights on blending creativity with business. He discusses how his time at the Rhode Island School of Design led him to Harvard Business School and shaped his career choices. Arena emphasizes the importance of community in fostering collaboration among founders, especially in tech, and the crucial role design advisors play in startups. He also navigates the challenges of leadership in design, highlighting the need for accountability and creativity in fast-evolving environments.