On May 30, leaders from the world of private equity gathered at the Penn Museum to share insights and reconnect with fellow Wharton alumni working in the alternative investments industry.
The Wharton Alternative Investments Summit brought together recent alumni and emerging professionals in private equity for a day of insight, ideas, and networking. Held at the Penn Museum, the event featured conversations with leading voices from across the industry, including executives from Apollo Global Management, Warburg Pincus, and Public Pension Capital Management. Hosted by the Harris Family Alternative Investments Program, the summit offered a platform for rising leaders to engage in important dialogue on innovation, long-term value creation, and the future of private equity.
“This year’s Wharton Alternative Investments Summit was designed to ignite the next era of leadership in private equity. Through the Harris Family Alternative Investments Program, we brought together rising professionals and recent alumni to learn from those shaping the industry’s trajectory—from Perry Golkin’s sweeping reflections on five decades of private equity evolution, including its entrepreneurial origins, institutional growth, and rising complexity, to Dan Zamlong’s deep dive into creating differentiated angles in a competitive market, to Aaron Miller’s dynamic session on operational excellence beyond the deal.
More than a summit, this was a space for bold ideas, honest dialogue, and the kind of connection that builds not just careers—but a stronger, more forward-looking industry.”
– Burcu Esmer, academic co-director of the Harris Family Alternative Investments Program
Welcome from Leadership
The day began with welcome remarks from the Harris Family Alternative Investments Program’s academic directors: Burcu Esmer, Senior Lecturer of Finance at Wharton and Bilge Yilmaz, Wharton Private Equity Professor of Finance.
Three Powerful Sessions on the Future of Private Equity
Reimagining Private Equity with Perry Golkin
Perry Golkin W’74, WG’74, L’78, Co-Founder & CEO, Public Pension Capital Management kicked off the summit with a presentation on how private equity has evolved from its entrepreneurial roots into a sophisticated industry. Drawing on decades of experience, he led the audience through the rise of institutionalized investing and the growing role of specialization and operational expertise.
Golkin emphasized the importance of navigating private equity’s complexities with care, especially amid rising capital inflows, regulatory shifts, and potential misalignments between fund managers and investors.
Fireside Chat with Daniel Zamlong
Daniel Zamlong W’99 shared insights from over two decades of investing across the industrials sector at Warburg Pincus. In conversation with Professor Bilge Yilmaz, Zamlong discussed how private equity professionals can uncover unique angles in competitive deal environments.
Daniel Zamlong leads Warburg Pincus’ investments in the aerospace & defense, industrial technology and specialty chemical sectors. His conversation with Professor Yilmaz provided attendees with unique perspectives on what it takes to create meaningful, long-term impact in private equity.
Driving Private Equity Excellence with Aaron Miller
Aaron Miller WG’02, G’06, Partner at Apollo Global Management, delivered an engaging presentation on operational excellence in private equity. Drawing on his leadership of Apollo Portfolio Performance Solutions (APPS), Miller encouraged audience interaction and fostered a dynamic conversation throughout the session.
He shared a global perspective on building high-performing companies and underscored the importance of strategic vision in driving long-term value creation.
Building Lasting Networks
Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to connect with fellow Wharton alumni, industry leaders, students, and faculty members. Over lunch, during session breaks, and at the cocktail reception in Warren Garden, the summit fostered meaningful conversations and sparked new professional relationships, strengthening the Harris Family Alternative Investments Program’s vibrant community.
Thank you to all who joined us for a day of insight, connection, and community. We’re grateful to our speakers, alumni, and partners who helped make the summit a success, and we look forward to continuing the conversation in the year ahead.
View the full event agenda.
Go to the Harris Family Alternative Investments Program homepage.
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Photos by Shira Yudkoff Photography