As an undergraduate at the USC Marshall School of Business, Wednesday Satterlee didn’t arrive on campus with a clear career path—but she left with a passion for innovation and a drive to support early-stage entrepreneurship. Thanks to mentorship and immersive experiences supported by the Office of Research and Innovation (OORI), Satterlee discovered a new direction for her future.
“I’ve always been interested in startups,” said Satterlee, who recently graduated from USC. “But it wasn’t until I competed in the Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC) through the Greif Center that I got my first hands-on look at how finance and entrepreneurship intersect.”
That experience—combined with her later participation in the USC Techstars Catalyst Program, part of OORI’s suite of early-stage innovation programs—launched Satterlee into the world of venture capital. Under the guidance of program director Gabriel Schlumberger, she supported ten early-stage companies through their fundraising strategy and investor outreach. “Working with those founders opened my eyes to the reality of entrepreneurship,” Satterlee said. “The Early Career Innovator Program was incredibly impactful. It wasn’t just theoretical—it was real people building real businesses, and I got to play a part in their journey.”
Through the program, Satterlee collaborated with founders navigating the earliest stages of product development, customer discovery, and fundraising. Her experience supporting diverse ventures across industries gave her insight into the grit and adaptability required to bring an idea to market.
“Entrepreneurship is not just about having a great idea,” she reflected. “It’s about listening, iterating, and staying resilient. I learned that by watching our founders in action and by getting involved myself.”
Satterlee’s time at USC and engagement with OORI programs also highlighted the power of community and mentorship. “From the first day on campus, I saw how generous USC alumni were with their time,” she said. “Whether it was through the Career Advantage Program or a coffee chat from a cold email, the Trojan network truly showed up for me—and that inspired me to pay it forward.”
She now plans to bring that same spirit of mentorship and innovation to her next chapter. After graduation, Satterlee will join J.P. Morgan’s Private Bank as an analyst, where she’ll support a team of bankers and gain further exposure to global markets and investment strategy. But her sights remain on the startup world. “I want to stay close to early-stage companies and continue learning how capital can be a tool for innovation,” she said. “Ultimately, I hope to become a founder myself.”
When asked what advice she’d give other undergraduates, Satterlee doesn’t hesitate: “Say yes before you feel ready. Some of my most rewarding experiences—like VCIC and Techstars—were also the most challenging. But that’s where growth happens.”
As OORI continues to expand opportunities for students and early-career innovators, Satterlee’s story reflects the impact of programs that combine real-world experience with supportive mentorship. For students looking to get involved, she offers a final word of encouragement: “Don’t wait. Try, fail, and try again. That’s how you’ll find what you’re capable of.”