Join the Wharton Club of New York for a fireside chat with Oliva Chen, co-founder of Twrl and moderated by Carolyn Strzalka.
Started by two moms, Olivia & Pauline, long-time friends and daughter of immigrants, right in their home kitchen and selling nationwide at retailers like Sprouts and Whole Foods.
Twrl’s award-winning milk teas use single-origin teas and sustainable ingredients, less sugars and a plant-based milk. Twrl Bobas are low to no-prep, convenient and dye-free. Inspired by Asian flavors that remind them of home and their Taiwanese and Chinese heritage. Ube Hojicha, Jasmine Pu-erh, and a Taiwan Style Black Milk Tea as well as Brown Sugar and Crystal Boba and Strawberry, Honey and Lychee Popping Boba.
About the Speakers
Olivia Chen (G’05, WG’05), is the co-founder and CMO of Twrl Milk Tea, the innovative, plant-based canned milk tea and low prep no prep boba toppings brand that’s transforming the $15.1 billion ready-to-drink tea market. Alongside her longtime friend and co-founder Pauline Ang, Olivia turned a pandemic kitchen experiment into a groundbreaking brand now available in over 2,000 retailers, including Sprouts, Whole Foods, and World Market.
As a second-generation Taiwanese American and the daughter of immigrants, Olivia’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and cultural pride. Twrl celebrates her heritage, blending nostalgia with modern-day sustainability while disrupting the $2.6 billion boba market.
Olivia gained viral attention with a TikTok stitch reacting to the Dragon’s Den #bobagate cultural appropriation debate, growing Twrl’s following 24x. Featured in The Associated Press, ABC News, NBC News, Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, and many more. Olivia’s leadership continues to inspire, proving that authenticity and connection can build loyal communities.
A graduate of UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and UPenn’s Wharton/Lauder MBA/MA program proud alumni, Olivia is a sought-after speaker who motivates others to break barriers, build meaningful brands, and embrace their cultural heritage.
She can't wait to be spilling the TEA with you all soon on May 14th!!
Moderator
Caroline Strzalka (WG'05), Co-Founder at Overplay.
When:
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
6:00pm - 6:20pm - Bubble Tea and Cheese Reception
6:30pm - 7:15pm - Program Begins
7:15pm - 7:30pm - PM Networking
Where:
Midtown location
(Note: Address will be sent via email to all registered guests 24-48 hours prior to the event to the "Primary Email" address listed in your profile. Please review your profile to confirm that the email address listed is correct.)
Cost:
WCNY Supporting Members – $32.50 (WCNY supporting membership costs $95/yr at Join/Renew Membership)
Other Wharton Alumni/Alumni Guest Ticket – $65.00
Gold & Benefactor Member – $0
Pre-registration is required. Please register early as this event will sell out quickly.
Registration is subject to availability and will close on Wednesday, May 14th at 9:00am.
Cancellations must be made at least 48-hours (business day) prior to the event date by sending an email to Gabriela Sanchez. Refunds or credits for future events are not available for any no-shows or late cancellations. Click here for full details.
Started by two moms, Olivia & Pauline, long-time friends and daughter of immigrants, right in their home kitchen and selling nationwide at retailers like Sprouts and Whole Foods.
Twrl’s award-winning milk teas use single-origin teas and sustainable ingredients, less sugars and a plant-based milk. Twrl Bobas are low to no-prep, convenient and dye-free. Inspired by Asian flavors that remind them of home and their Taiwanese and Chinese heritage. Ube Hojicha, Jasmine Pu-erh, and a Taiwan Style Black Milk Tea as well as Brown Sugar and Crystal Boba and Strawberry, Honey and Lychee Popping Boba.
About the Speakers
Olivia Chen (G’05, WG’05), is the co-founder and CMO of Twrl Milk Tea, the innovative, plant-based canned milk tea and low prep no prep boba toppings brand that’s transforming the $15.1 billion ready-to-drink tea market. Alongside her longtime friend and co-founder Pauline Ang, Olivia turned a pandemic kitchen experiment into a groundbreaking brand now available in over 2,000 retailers, including Sprouts, Whole Foods, and World Market.
As a second-generation Taiwanese American and the daughter of immigrants, Olivia’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and cultural pride. Twrl celebrates her heritage, blending nostalgia with modern-day sustainability while disrupting the $2.6 billion boba market.
Olivia gained viral attention with a TikTok stitch reacting to the Dragon’s Den #bobagate cultural appropriation debate, growing Twrl’s following 24x. Featured in The Associated Press, ABC News, NBC News, Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, and many more. Olivia’s leadership continues to inspire, proving that authenticity and connection can build loyal communities.
A graduate of UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and UPenn’s Wharton/Lauder MBA/MA program proud alumni, Olivia is a sought-after speaker who motivates others to break barriers, build meaningful brands, and embrace their cultural heritage.
She can't wait to be spilling the TEA with you all soon on May 14th!!
Moderator
Caroline Strzalka (WG'05), Co-Founder at Overplay.
When:
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
6:00pm - 6:20pm - Bubble Tea and Cheese Reception
6:30pm - 7:15pm - Program Begins
7:15pm - 7:30pm - PM Networking
Where:
Midtown location
(Note: Address will be sent via email to all registered guests 24-48 hours prior to the event to the "Primary Email" address listed in your profile. Please review your profile to confirm that the email address listed is correct.)
Cost:
WCNY Supporting Members – $32.50 (WCNY supporting membership costs $95/yr at Join/Renew Membership)
Other Wharton Alumni/Alumni Guest Ticket – $65.00
Gold & Benefactor Member – $0
Pre-registration is required. Please register early as this event will sell out quickly.
Registration is subject to availability and will close on Wednesday, May 14th at 9:00am.
Cancellations must be made at least 48-hours (business day) prior to the event date by sending an email to Gabriela Sanchez. Refunds or credits for future events are not available for any no-shows or late cancellations. Click here for full details.