When Ben Kander 12BBA launched Welly, his line of sleek, insulated water bottles, he wasn’t just filling a market niche—he was honoring a legacy. Inspired by his late mother Elly’s passion for clean water access, Kander built a company grounded in sustainability, wellness, and impact. Now, more than a decade after graduating, his work is once again making waves at Goizueta Business School.
This fall, Welly provided custom bottles for all incoming students in the school’s undergraduate Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program—more than 1,000 in total—making it possible for the program to go fully disposable water bottle–free at all events moving forward. It’s a bold step, supported by a meaningful alumni connection.
“Ben gave us an incredibly generous discount,” shares Libby Egnor, associate dean of the undergraduate BBA program. “We’ve always hated giving out low-quality plastic bottles that students throw away. These Welly bottles are beautiful, durable, and carry meaning. Students are excited to use them, especially given the connection to Ben and his mission.”
To ensure the experience was smooth, the bottles were pre-washed and labeled for each student before orientation.
“Once we decided to order sustainable bottles, Welly was the clear choice, but presumably financially out of reach. I’m so grateful to Ben,” shares Andrea Hershatter, senior associate dean of undergraduate education. “He is a phenomenal role model for our BBA students as a values-driven entrepreneur and an incredible alumnus who has always gone above and beyond to support the program.”
The partnership is a reflection of Goizueta’s focus on alumni engagement, sustainable innovation, and meaningful student experiences. For Kander, it’s also a chance to support the next generation of leaders.
“It’s incredibly meaningful to know that Goizueta students will be carrying Welly Bottles throughout campus. My drive towards entrepreneurship was greatly inspired by Andrea Hershatter’s entrepreneurship class. I love staying connected with Emory as we continue to grow as a company,” shares Kander. “I hope to continue to share our Welly journey with Goizueta students and that it may help inspire someone to start their own impactful business.”
