News

The Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative’s
Executive in Residence Program

The Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative (WAIAI) is launching an exclusive Executive in Residence program to bring industry-leading expertise into the heart of Wharton’s AI research and student initiatives. Each year, select executives from top organizations will work alongside faculty and students to bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI research and real-world industry challenges.

As Executives in Residence, these leaders will:

  • Advise Wharton faculty, helping shape AI research to align with business needs
  • Mentor students, guiding future AI innovators in WAIAI-sponsored projects like the Wharton AI & Analytics Accelerator
  • Share insights at premier conferences, contributing as keynote speakers and expert panelists
  • Be featured thought leaders, appearing in Wharton-produced webinars, podcasts, and articles
  • Judge high-stakes AI competitions, including WAIAI Hack-AI-thons and the Venture Lab Startup Challenge

Meet Our First Executives in Residence

We are thrilled to welcome Ajay Anand, Senior Vice President, Global Services, Strategy & Business Services, Johnson & Johnson and Achim Welter, WG’08, Senior Director ERP, Digital & IT Strategy, The Hershey Company, as our inaugural Executives in Residence.

Headshot of a person in a business suit, smiling, with a blurred background.

Ajay Anand
SVP, Global Services, Strategy & Business Services
Johnson & Johnson

Headshot of a person with gray hair, wearing a light-colored, patterned shirt, smiling in front of a brick wall background.

Achim Welter, WG’08
Senior Director ERP, Digital & IT Strategy
The Hershey Company

Ajay Anand brings more than 26 years of transformational leadership, driving strategic impact across consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and telecommunications. A dynamic force in business and technology, he has led global initiatives that redefine industries.

Achim Welter possesses 30-plus years of expertise in data analytics, IT, and consumer goods, with a career spanning e-commerce, consulting, and SaaS. A veteran of the German Armed Forces, his experience cuts across industries, offering invaluable insights into AI-driven innovation.

The breadth and depth of their expertise make them uniquely positioned to shape WAIAI’s future and mentor the next generation of AI pioneers.

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