As multifaceted as their interdisciplinary alma mater, Penn alumni can be found thriving, leading, and innovating across a wide array of fields. This year, their impact is undeniable: 26 Penn graduates have been recognized across 20 categories in the “Forbes 30 Under 30” list for 2025. Among these rising stars, Street had the privilege of interviewing eight extraordinary individuals whose journeys are as inspiring as they are diverse.
From food to tech, Hollywood to social impact, these Penn alumni exemplify innovation and leadership. They are not just up–and–comers—they are soon–to–be–established leaders, leaving a mark on their industries.
Street sat down with these visionaries for their stories on how they went from Pine Street and occasionally skipping class to earning a spot on the Forbes list. Their accounts are a blend of lighthearted anecdotes—moments of humor and spontaneity that fueled their drive—and deeper, more profound reflections on the challenges and triumphs that defined their paths.
Hilary Dubin and Caroline Huber
You lie in your bed on a Sunday evening binge–watching another TV series. Meanwhile, your hand subconsciously searches for your Juul, that diabolical thing you promised yourself to never touch again.
We hope that this is not a reality for you, but it was a reality for Hilary Dubin (C ‘17) and Caroline Huber (C ‘17) several years ago before they managed to quit vaping. These two childhood best friends have lived through many experiences together: going to Penn, quitting vaping, and even starting a revolutionizing company that helps people to help others quit. Jones started with Huber walking Dubin through the quitting process, realizing that there are no convenient products in the market that would target quitting vaping, not just smoking in general.
Inspired by personal experience, the duo decided to fully embrace this idea during New York University’s business accelerator program competition. Although they had to change the project in the middle of the competition, the duo truly believed in the success and vitality of the cause they were promoting and eventually won the competition. The process of starting their own company was a little bit scary: Dubin had to quit a cushy tech job, and Huber left the political field. “But we went through the whole process of quitting ourselves, and so I think we were very motivated to create a solution that could help people who are going through the same thing as us,” Dubin explains.
Faced with gender prejudice, lack of underlying medical knowledge, and other “roadblocks,” the two friends managed to withstand these problems and get onto the Forbes list. The nomination became another memorable moment for the friends. From getting the first shipment of their vaping alternatives to getting calls from big institutional investors, these instances reinforce Dubin and Huber’s dedication to helping people quit vaping.
The duo’s time at Penn helped them find investors and supporters more easily. As Huber shares, “It feels like there is a lot of camaraderie built between people who went there, and it seems that there is a powerful segment of people in venture capital that are all Penn alums. And so we believe that it is a huge lift just being able to relate to them socially [and] understand a little bit more about how we all were raised, having come up through this university together.” This camaraderie helped Dubin and Huber build a successful alternative for quitting bad habits.
Ruthwick Pathireddy
Ruthwick Pathireddy, Wharton MBA drop–out, knew from his own experience what problems with funds management means for nonprofits. Beginning as a volunteer for Common Denominator and rising to a position of the chair of the associate board, Pathireddy faced all the issues of the absence of nonprofit–specific software. “We weren't a very tech–savvy organization, and we also didn't have enough capital to hire consultants to help configure that system for us,” Pathireddy explains, as this problem is typical to many smaller foundations.
Stimulated by this challenge, Pathireddy, together with his co–founder Maya Kuppermann, created Temelio, “the all–in–one grants management system,” in order to help hundreds of small–to–medium foundations at the same time. As he shared, the current chief technology officer of the company was definitely looking forward to starting such an innovative project that can transform the whole nonprofit sector. Although Pathireddy, alongside his team, “faced several existential crises: product–building, finding first clients, onboarding customers, et cetera and et cetera,” he now feels grateful for Temelio.
One of the reasons for his gratitude is the exceptional people and extraordinary organizations he has met on the path of becoming a Forbes nominee. One example is the Atwood Foundation—a project run by a father–daughter duo based in Alaska that provides funding for nonprofits which support local culture. Another objective is the tangibility of an impact that Temelio has on nonprofit organizations and the people working in them. When one of Atwood Foundation’s board members told Pathireddy that instead of spending two–and–a–half hours on writing each summary for a board meeting, she spent only 30 minutes by using Temelio, he realized that “[himself and the founding team] actually helped people save their own time and give out money to organizations faster.”
Driven by the efficiency borrowed from his prior experience in finance, Pathireddy fosters a root change in the nonprofit world.
Timothy Bloom
Timothy Bloom (C ‘17) wakes up in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen, right near the Theater District, every morning, excited for the new adventure ahead, where no task is too small and no project is the same. As a theater producer working under David Stone (C ‘88), Timothy has helped produce various shows, such as “Topdog/Underdog,” "Gutenberg! The Musical!,” and “Kimberly Akimbo” and is working on many other new developments as well. Beyond this, he also is his own producer, loves playing golf, and is a proud record collector. While he remains humble about the honor of being named on “Forbes 30 Under 30,” stating that it was a great experience, he continues to focus on his work with the same dedication and passion.
Finding his path was not an easy feat, and Timothy had little idea that this is where he would end up. At Penn, he studied political science and history, always wanting to take classes in things he found interesting as opposed to focusing directly on his career. Outside of the classroom, he jumped at the opportunity to join The Mask and Wig Club—what he calls “one of the best college theater troupes in the world,” where he worked on production and development. In this club, Bloom grew to love musical comedy, “always want[ing] to make people laugh,” and was drawn to the idea of a full–book musical, which Mask and Wig put on in the spring semester. While he never believed that he could pursue his passion in a professional setting, he was fortunate to get an internship in the entertainment industry through the Kelly Writers House.
More than seven years later, Bloom is still working with David Stone who has continued to serve as “his mentor with sage advice.” Bloom attributes much of his success to his experience at Penn with its unmatched network and mentorship. Reflecting upon his experience at Penn, Bloom feels that one of the best parts about the school is that it “has everything you need from classes, clubs, professors, and mentors, but you just have to find them. Nothing is handed to you on a silver platter, but it is all there.” Students at Penn can “easily coast through,” so it is up to each student to take advantage of the many opportunities within their reach . Everyone should “keep their eyes on their own paper. Some people will have more money or more success. Different industries run at different paces.”
Looking ahead, Bloom is eager to continue growing in the theater industry as he “knows and loves it” and is looking to take on more leadership positions, bringing fresh productions to life. Whether he is producing the next big Broadway show, working with actors, playing golf, finding more time to spend outdoors, or collecting records, Bloom remains committed to embracing every opportunity and new experience.
Joseph Kemp
Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Queens, Joseph Kemp (GSE ‘21) has embraced numerous opportunities and diverse passions, all while continuing to give back to his community. For his undergraduate degree, Joseph went to John Jay College and studied philosophy, but his studies did not stop there; he went on to Penn, pursuing a master’s degree in education, and then to Michigan for his JD–MBA, completing an impressive four–degree educational path. Throughout his various pursuits and experiences, Joseph always knew that education and entrepreneurship were his passions. After working at a venture capital and startup law firm for a year as a lawyer, he decided to run his own ventures and started Games That Matter, a company dedicated to creating educational board games and giving back to students in need. There he created Disbarred: The Card Game, which helps to teach everyday people their legal rights in a fun and engaging way. He describes it as “family–friendly Cards Against Humanity with a legal twist!” Throughout all of this, Kemp has remained committed to “empowering the public through education and giving back to students.”
In addition to his love for education, entrepreneurship, and giving–back, Kemp always loved playing games. While studying for the bar exam, he kept thinking, “if this was gamified, it would be more fun and a way to relax while also learning.” During the difficult process, the idea of a card game incorporating legal concepts kept resurfacing; he believed that it would not only be more enjoyable, “But the material would stick better,” as well. Understanding the high barriers to legal education, Joseph was determined to use his own experience to create a tool that would make studying law more accessible and engaging for others.
Reflecting on his time at Penn, Joseph shares that the “resources at this school are unmatched.” Different programs such as Venture Lab, which provided information for him to start his own business, and Penn’s Catalyst program, which gave him hands–on experience working with ed–tech companies and consulting for startups, helping shape his entrepreneurial journey. These opportunities, along with unmatched professors, provided him with the foundation to build his business and make a difference. Thinking about advice he would give to students at Penn, he states, “Whatever ideas you have, just go for it; you have the resources, and you can always learn. The earlier you bring your ideas to life, the better.”
Kemp’s personal background also helps shape his career ambitions and motivations. As the oldest child of immigrants from Belize, he became the first one in his family to attend college. His family encouraged him to take risks and not be fearful, just as they had when immigrating. His multicultural background allows him to navigate different spaces and appreciate new perspectives. Inspired by this, he is always thinking about how he can expand his business to help more people of various professional fields, stating, “I would love to make a similar card game for medicine or business. I hope to continue expanding my portfolio and help more everyday people know everyday things.”
Being named to “Forbes 30 Under 30” was a surreal moment for Kemp, serving as both a validation that he is on the right path and an invitation into a new community of like–minded entrepreneurs and change–makers. Kemp is excited to continue exploring new ways to empower people through education and give back. While Kemp has made a significant impact in just a short time, it is clear that he is just getting started in his quest to make education more accessible.
For the pre–law students and legal studies amateurs, you can purchase Disbarred with the discount code, UPENN.
Jared Golestani
Jared Golestani (WG ‘25) was a “self–proclaimed coconut hater”—that is, until he started Kokada, a food consumer–packaged goods business devoted entirely to coconut spreads and snacks that are “better for you.”
In 2020 before applying to any business schools, both Jared Golestani and his wife Breanna Golestani were in consulting, with Jared Golestani himself focused predominantly on merger and acquisitions within pharmaceutical and biotech spaces. As former Division I student–athletes, they were also “passionate about health and wellness.” When Breanna Golestani developed a recipe for a vegan, refined sugar–free coconut spread that received wildly positive reviews from friends and family and even her husband, the couple started to consider marketing the product. “It wasn't like we were actively trying to focus on going into the food industry,” Jared Golestani recalls. “The opportunity of Kokada really just drew us in.”
He expresses that his involvement in consulting helped him develop a foundation set of skills that he “leaned on heavily” when starting Kokada. “Consulting in general gives you a pretty broad breadth of experiences across a number of different companies and industries,” Jared Golestani says. He describes the trial–and–error process of discovering what strategies are efficient versus inefficient in business and how his experience in consulting allows him to apply these skills to deliver for large companies and clients. “The skillsets that you end up honing and maturing while in consulting are invaluable when it comes to starting a business.”
After about a year spent launching at several farmers markets and around 20 stores across North Carolina, the husband and wife were admitted as MBA candidates at the Wharton School in fall 2021. After winning a pitch competition during their first semester, Kokada gained traction, receiving recognition from “big retail players,” like Whole Foods and Harris Teeter. “We decided to take a leave of absence [from Wharton] in 2022 to raise capital,” Jared Golestani explains to “build the supply chain out and really get ready to be a nationally skilled business for food products.” One thing led to another, and they ended up “launching our products nationwide. In 2023, [Kokada] picked up about 1,300 stores with the likes of Sprouts [Farmers Market], Wegmans [Food Markets], et cetera.”
When asked about his decision to step away from his degree to pursue entrepreneurship, Jared Golestani stresses that it was a deliberate and intentional choice that he and his partner spent a long time considering. “Taking a step like that is definitely a bit of a jump, as I’m sure you can imagine. It wasn’t something that we looked at each other and decided instantaneously.” However, the longer they sat with their options and discussed with each other, the clearer their decision became. “Oftentimes in life, you end up regretting the things that you don’t do more than the things you do,” Jared Golestani explains. The duo didn’t want to look back on their lives and regret the things they didn’t pursue. “That feeling of unknown exploration would have eaten Breanna and I [alive] for the rest of our lives.”
Jared Golestani reflects on Kokada’s recognition in “Forbes 30 Under 30” with gratitude and anticipation for what’s to come. In 2023, Kokada underwent a year of “massive growth” before stabilizing in the following year, and while the couple are still committed to expanding their company and anticipates this year to be another period of growth as they launch new products, they have since returned to Penn and are expected to graduate in the spring 2025. “Part of it is a point of pride, I would say. We’re very big believers in finishing what we start. It’s not that we needed to come back and finish our business degree, but we want to see it through.”
When asked about his favorite product, Jared Golestani lights up. “I’m so glad you asked.” Kokada recently launched a new line of products that happen to be his favorite way to snack—vegan pretzels dipped in Kokada’s original coconut spread. Creating the “on–the–go” option in response to consumer feedback conveniently also made Golestani “a very happy camper.” While multiple vessels were tested, they ultimately decided on pretzels as the ideal snack to act as a vehicle for the coconut spread. “It’s like this beautiful combination that, for me, is just perfect.”
Tiffany Yeh
Tiffany Yeh (MD ‘25) is a problem solver, and her company Eztia Corp is a solution. Eztia Corp’s mission is to develop “energy–efficient cooling wearables and materials to prevent heat–related illnesses” that are powered by water rather than electricity.
Yeh grew up in Taiwan and attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she completed her undergraduate degree in materials science and engineering, before applying to Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine, from which she graduated in 2022. “Throughout those 10 years of MIT and medical school, I did a lot of global health work,” Yeh recalls. “And I often found myself in hot, remote environments, out in the field, where I would personally overheat and not have access to air conditioning or ice or good ways to cool down.”
Towards the end of medical school, Yeh “started tinkering” on her own to try to solve her own problem. “I put my material scientist brain back on and then stumbled on research on polymers that were used for passive cooling for buildings and passive cold chain packaging,” Yeh says. Synthesizing her studies in materials science and healthcare, she adapted a passive cooling technology for humans.
Reflecting on her journey into entrepreneurship with Eztia, Yeh explained that the company’s origins were closely related to involvements before medical school. As an undergraduate, she taught for MIT Global Startup Labs in Sri Lanka, which exposed her to entrepreneurship principles that she carried throughout the rest of her undergraduate and medical school career. At Penn, she was also very involved in PennHealthX, which she described as “the medical school’s medicine and business student group.” These experiences familiarized Yeh with the entrepreneurship world, so when she “pivoted” out of clinical medicine, she “wasn't necessarily starting from scratch.”
When asked about the progression that transformed Eztia from an idea into a company, Yeh explained that starting a company required “100%” of her time, and she ultimately chose to pursue an entrepreneurial pathway rather than medical residency. “I basically rented a lab space and went into the lab and started mixing chemicals,” she explains. As she was mastering the technological basis of the product, Yeh was also working on customer discovery, creating her business model. “It just grew from there.”
Yeh expressed gratitude for Eztia’s inclusion in “Forbes 30 Under 30” while looking forward to future opportunities. “I think this year 2025 is going to be really exciting because it’s going to be our soft launch.” In the past two–and–a–half years, Eztia Corp has focused primarily on research and product development. However, Yeh said the company is planning their broader launch this summer. “We’re doing formal proof of concepts with different pilot partners. That’s going to be a huge milestone.”
Yeh also took pride in Eztia Corp’s commitment to both human health and combating climate change. She explained that the two aspects are closely related—the technology helps prevent heat–related illnesses, and it’s “very energy efficient” because the company is committed to lowering their carbon footprint as, “Heat–related illnesses are getting worse because extreme heat is getting worse.” Eztia Corp’s mission is to create “an advanced technology that is accessible and also environmentally sustainable” to serve vulnerable communities in many different settings.
In the global health world, Yeh noted there’s a belief that “global health innovations or humanitarian–related innovations are charity work.” Yeh hopes that Eztia Corp’s identity as a company will “flip the script,” proving that “with the right technology and the right distribution model, these sorts of things can be self–sustaining, as opposed to pure charity.” She started Eztia Corp as a company rather than a nonprofit because she believed that “certain models using this sort of technology can be financially self–sustaining and create a lot of good impact at the same time.” For individuals considering their own startup, Yeh emphasized the privilege of taking risks and encouraged them to pursue their passions without fear of failure. She advises students to live with no regrets and seize opportunities that align with their beliefs and values.
