Dr. Amy Wrzesniewski

Professor

Biography

Amy Wrzesniewski is the William Jacalyn Egan Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She earned her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and her Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from the University of Michigan. Prior to joining the Wharton faculty, she was on the faculty at Yale School of Management and Stern School of Business at New York University. Her research focuses on how people make meaning at work, particularly in challenging contexts such as stigmatized occupations and independent work. Wrzesniewski’s studies have explored how individuals craft their jobs to redefine their work identities and how these processes influence motivation and satisfaction. Her influential work has been published in leading academic journals including Administrative Science Quarterly and the Academy of Management Review. Wrzesniewski has received several awards for her teaching and research excellence, including the Herbert Simon Award and the “Inspiring Yale” Award, which recognizes her impactful teaching and guidance of students. Wrzesniewski continues to contribute to the understanding of work dynamics and employee experiences in various organizational contexts.

Research Interests

Experience

William Jacalyn Egan Professor
— Present

Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania • Philadelphia, PA

Teaching and researching organizational behavior and work meanings.

Faculty
— Present

Yale School of Management • New Haven, CT

Conducted research and taught courses in management.

Faculty
— Present

Stern School of Business, New York University • New York, NY

Contributed to academic research and education in business management.

Awards

#2025
Wharton Teaching Excellence Award
#2025
Administrative Science Quarterly Scholarly Contribution Award
#2019
Herbert Simon Award
#2019
Inspiring Yale School of Management Honoree