Lauren and Bobby Turner Social Impact Executive Speaker Series

Endowed by K. Robert Turner, W’84, and Lauren Golub Turner, W’85, in 2010, the Turner Social Impact Executive Speaker series brings high-profile speakers to campus to discuss philanthropy, advocacy, education, and other efforts to create positive change in the world.

“We passionately believe profits are not the only element in the measure of success, and wanted to support social impact programming at Wharton,” he said. “We benefited as students because the alumni who preceded us gave back and made sure Wharton continued to lead. The same is true today. If we don’t step up, few others will. It’s our turn.”

Hosted by Bobby Turner and managed by the Wharton Social Impact Initiative, this series challenges assumptions through candid interviews and discussion with celebrities and leaders who are using their resources and influence, as well as their creativity and passion, to make an impact on important social issues.

About Bobby Turner

Bobby Turner received a BS in Finance from Wharton and serves on the school’s Undergraduate Executive Board of Advisors. He is the CEO of Turner Impact Capital, LLC (Turner), a mission-driven real estate investment management firm based in Los Angeles focused on creating sustainable solutions for many of today’s societal problems through the development of impactful infrastructure.

The firm seeks “profits with a purpose,” recognizing the  interdependence between the two and the central role that improving property and the lives of people can play in achieving superior risk-adjusted returns.

Bobby has been a pioneer in the area of social impact investing has been responsible for launching several groundbreaking funds over the past two decades including partnerships with Andre Agassi, focusing on the development of learning friendly, environmentally responsible charter school facilities, and with Earvin “Magic” Johnson, focusing on inner-city and urban real estate development.

Bobby Turner, W’84, CEO, Turner Impact Capital, LLC

Mr. Turner himself offered insight on social impact investing and seeking “profits with a purpose” in this fireside chat moderated by Professor Chris Geczy. Watch the full video here.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Basketball Hall of Famer, Olympic Gold Medalist, and Philanthropist

“You’ve got to knock on the doors of corporations who have the same mindset as yours, who have the same heart as yours. You’re going to have to find a way to touch their heart and spirit.”
Read the article (K@W)

Andre Agassi, Former Tennis Star, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist

“I don’t care how big the mountain is, we can take one step at a time and be proud of whatever it is we’re setting about doing and have purpose in doing that. I need to know where the starting point is.”
Watch the full video or read coverage in The Wharton Journal.

Ashton Kutcher, Award-winning Actor and Philanthropist

“’Good’ is something that is good for you, good for me and good for the greater good. Bad is anything that doesn’t include all three.”
Watch the full video.

Eva Longoria, Award-winning Actress, Activist, and Businesswoman

“My philanthropy is derived from my belief that as a country, we invest in infrastructure. We invest in roads and bridges and highways to get us from point A to point B, and I think we have to invest in infrastructure of opportunity.”
Read the article in The Daily Pennsylvanian.

Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Grammy-winning Rapper, Actor, and Philanthropist

“I’m very, very hands-on. There are a lot of people who write checks, but don’t give time. I think it’s just as important to be there.”
Watch the full video.

Michael Feinberg, C’91, Founder of KIPP Schools

“I’d argue that any school that’s doing a good job has two basic ingredients: they’ve got great teaching, and more of it. It’s that simple. Easy to say, hard to do.”
Read coverage from Wharton’s Social Impact Initiative.