Understanding ourselves to reach our potential
People Lab is a place where Wharton students, researchers, and instructors come together to explore the science of personal and professional growth. Our mission is simple: help people better understand themselves so they can reach their potential—at school, at work, and beyond.
Three connected goals
We connect rigorous research, meaningful assessment experiences, and practical development support.
Advancing assessment science
Building stronger, more evidence-based instruments and testing how they work in real-world settings.
Engaging learners
Offering a wide range of assessments that feel relevant, insightful, and worthwhile.
Supporting real development
Pairing assessments with practical tools, resources, and connections to Wharton programs.
A resource for every stage of the leadership journey
People Lab is a place that sparks curiosity—about ourselves, about others, and about how we lead. We serve as a guide for reflective growth at every stage of the leadership journey, offering intentional and adaptable tools designed to surface insights unique to each person.
We’re not a one-stop shop, but a long-term resource to return to as your leadership challenges evolve. Our work is done with leaders, not just for them—shaping experiences that help turn reflection into measurable impact.
As the demands of leadership continue to shift, People Lab looks ahead, reimagining what effective leadership can look like today and in the future. Ultimately, we aim to support more authentic, grounded, and effective leadership journeys.
From collaboration to a shared home
People Lab began as a collaboration between Wharton People Analytics (WPA) and the McNulty Leadership Program (MLP). In 2023, we fully joined the MLP team, strengthening our shared commitment to developing leaders who understand themselves, lead thoughtfully, and create positive change in their organizations and communities.
Our integration into MLP reflects a core belief we hold: assessment isn’t the end point—it’s the starting point for meaningful growth. By grounding leadership learning in evidence-based insights, People Lab complements the rich experiential and classroom experiences you already encounter at Wharton.
Becoming part of MLP has allowed us to deepen our support for students, contribute more fully to program offerings, and create value throughout your time at Wharton—and later as alumni—all while staying true to our empirical roots.
A Brief History: People Lab
Key moments in the growth of People Lab, its platform, and instrument portfolio.
People Lab becomes a joint venture between WPA and MLP.
Platform development begins.
MBA students begin participating in People Lab.
Executive Education students begin participating in People Lab.
WEMBA students begin participating in People Lab.
People Lab is fully staffed, becomes part of MLP, and begins working with Penn Athletic Wharton Leadership Academy.
Updated Platform launches, and undergraduate students join People Lab.
People Lab launches the second generation VITA instrument.
Built for a flexible, future-ready learning ecosystem
Four design principles that keep the platform strong today and adaptable tomorrow.
Scalable
Supports lifelong learning as programs, learners, and use cases grow over time.
Sustainable
Runs on a modern, reliable tech stack that’s maintainable and cost-effective.
Modular
Easily add new assessments and tools without reworking the whole system.
Interoperable
Connects with other Wharton platforms you already use for a seamless experience.
The People of People Lab
People Lab Team
People Lab
Data, Strategy, & Reporting
Data & Program Evaluation
People Lab
Steering Committee
MLP
MLP
Wharton Computing
Faculty & Scientific Advisors
Operations, Information, and Decisions Department
Faculty Collaborators
The Wharton School
The Wharton School