During her final semester of high school, Shreya Krishnan, W’26, visited campus for Quaker Days. Penn was already among her top-choice schools, offering a rigorous academic environment, a vibrant extracurricular community, and opportunities to pursue her passions for business and performing arts.
Shreya Krishnan, W’26: Leading with Purpose, Building Community
Through leadership, music, and philanthropy, Shreya is expanding opportunity and strengthening the Penn experience
Published: May 11, 2026
As she stepped onto Locust Walk that spring, she felt a dynamic and welcoming energy that allowed her to see herself as a Quaker for the first time. “That moment made Penn feel like the right fit—a place where I could grow both academically and creatively, within a community that values both.”
Through her involvement on campus, Shreya has developed her identity as a leader. As Wharton Council Finance Chair, she helped implement the first General Body Member Fund, expanding programming access for more than 1,000 undergraduates. As the Wharton and Performing Arts Chair for Seniors for The Penn Fund, she has encouraged her peers to join Penn’s donor community and support the undergraduate experience through philanthropy. Her work with Counterparts A Cappella—as president, business manager, and social chair—has also allowed her to advocate for fellow students. Over the past four years, she has organized and planned tours, social events, gigs, and team building retreats to foster a supportive environment for members.
Helping students find their communities and gain confidence through these clubs has taught me that leadership is about expanding opportunity for others.”Shreya Krishnan, W’26
While Shreya has always valued helping others, her time on campus and connections with alumni have deepened her commitment to philanthropy. “My experience at Penn has shown how a single act of generosity—whether it’s funding a program, mentoring a student, or creating access to opportunity—can ripple outward and impact countless lives. Alumni who give back aren’t just supporting individual students; they’re shaping entire communities and inspiring others to pay it forward.”
As Shreya prepares for life after graduation, she plans to continue her academic research. “Wharton has given me the tools and confidence to move forward with intention, and I’m excited to build a purposeful career that combines music and business.” She also reflects on the lasting impact of her Penn experience: “More than anything, I’ve learned to see my journey as part of something larger. Because of the opportunities I’ve been given, I acknowledge my responsibility to give back, to invest in others the same way this community has invested in me. That’s a perspective I will carry forward, and a legacy I’m honored to uphold.”
