Published: Feb. 21, 2017

For the second-consecutive year, Leeds students were awarded top honors over the weekend at the Leeds School for Business Diversity, and Business Ethics Case Competition (DBECC) hosted in collaboration with the Office of Diversity Affairs and the Center for Education on Social Responsibility. The competition invited undergraduate students from Leeds and other business schools to compete in a two-day intensive case competition challenging them to think critically about diversity and ethics facing the business world.

“To be leaders in the business world one day, we must be able to stand behind our respect and advocacy for diversity in key business decisions. Within Leeds, we are constantly surrounded by other talented students and faculty that share our passion for diversity and inclusion – we’re glad we were able to share this passion with schools from all overin such a meaningful competition,” said Randy Gardner team captain of ABConsulting.

DBECC ABConsulting Group Winners

1st place winners from Leeds, ABConsulting. Left to right: Assistant Dean of Diversity Affairs Kristi Ryujin, Ghibrian Avila, Justin Mayo, Hana Maaliki, Randy Gardner, Ellyson Beyer, Sarah Maaliki

First place was awarded to ABConsulting – consisting of Leeds students Ghibrian Avila, Ellyson Beyer, Randy Gardner, Hana Maaliki, Sarah Maaliki, and Justin Mayo. In second place was Leeds team Pathoz Consulting consisting of Weston Ballard, Zhao Chen, Valeria De Haro, Meredith Maney, and Leilani Osmundson. The team from Indiana University Bloomington, and the Kelley School of Business placed third. This year’s case focused on the use of technology in human resources and the influence of unconscious bias in the development of automated interviewing systems.

DBECC Pathoz Consulting Group Winners

2nd place winners from Leeds, Pathoz Consulting. Left to right: Assistant Dean of Diversity Affairs Kristi Ryujin, Leilani Osmundson, Weston Ballard, Valeria De Haro, Meredith Maney, Zhao Chen.

Each team consisted of four to six people representing diverse background in academic interests, professional interests, gender, race, and ethnicity. The competition also awarded $10,000 in cash prizes to the top three teams with first place receiving $5,000.

“At Leeds, our goal is to cultivate leaders with the necessary skillset to succeed in a dynamic business environment,” said Kristi Ryujin, Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion. This competition helps students develop ethical and inclusive solutions to the challenges they will face as business leaders.

The competition nurtures skills in public speaking, case review, critical thinking, research, and networking. Students also work with their career services departments to create a customized resume, a great tool to foster networking at the event with corporate partners and for future internships.

Additionally, the competition provides participants the opportunity to examine and practice solving real-world business problems and answer some of the most complex dilemmas facing business organizations today. “We see these students developing into exceptional business leaders with strong critical thinking and presentation skills, business acumen, and confidence,” added Ryujin.

About the Leeds Office of Diversity Affairs: In addition to this competition, the Office of Diversity Affairs also manages the Leeds Diverse Scholars program. The program currently has nearly 250 students and serves as a high-impact academic program that promotes academic achievement, educational excellence, professional development, and community building with its students. To learn more about the Office of Diversity Affairs visit http://www.colorado.edu/business/students/office-diversity-affairs.