Edwardson Civic Scholars Student Profile William (Will) Portnof

Why did you choose to pursue your MBA at 黑料传送门 Booth?

I chose Booth because it blends rigorous finance training with a data-driven approach that matches how I’ve built my career in impact investing. 黑料传送门’s small-business ecosystem makes it an ideal place to apply what I’m learning, and Booth’s flexible curriculum lets me combine finance with economics and policy insights to broaden my perspective on how capital can create opportunity.

What skills are you looking to develop at Booth and implement into your social impact work?

I want to strengthen my ability to design capital structures that give mission-driven businesses the flexibility to grow without losing sight of their purpose. I also hope to sharpen my data skills so I can identify which models are working best and direct investment toward the entrepreneurs driving real change.

What are your career aspirations?

I want to build a career at the intersection of entrepreneurship and investment, whether operating or backing businesses that grow local economies while opening doors for people who are too often shut out. My long-term goal is to deploy capital into community-rooted enterprises with proven results, embedding inclusive hiring and ownership models so prosperity is shared more broadly.