University of Michigan Ross School of Business Takes Top Honors at Ninth Annual MBA National Case Competition

Competition sponsored by Deloitte and the Deloitte Foundation helps prepare future business leaders

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Jan 14, 2019, 09:30 ET

WESTLAKE, Texas, Jan. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Michigan Ross School of Business team won the ninth annual MBA National Case Competition by presenting a well thought out analysis and innovative solution to the business problem posed during the Competition. Team members Thomas Corness, Jessica McClain, Jason Rock and Andrea Schiff earned a combined scholarship of $20,000 for their winning presentation.

Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business took second place; University of Virginia Darden School of Business and New York University Stern School of Business followed in third and fourth place, respectively. The competition was held Jan. 3-5 at Deloitte University, Deloitte's leadership center near Dallas, Texas.

More than 1,000 students from leading MBA programs across the country entered regional competitions, with 64 advancing to the national finals. At the national finals, 16 student teams developed a strategic proposal and presentation to define a growth strategy for a healthy, fast-casual dining chain. The company, which operates almost 100 stores across the U.S., focuses on the transparency of its value chain, nutritional value of its menu offerings, and sustainable positive impact of its business. Students recommended helping the organization achieve growth by developing an expansion of current product offerings in innovative formats for target consumers, leveraging digital opportunities, and identifying the capabilities and requirements needed to execute the strategy. Leaders from the company attended the competition and served as judges along with industry and Deloitte leaders.

"In our ninth year as a competition, we continue to be amazed by the motivation and strategic thinking shown by the students competing. The University of Michigan Ross School of Business team and all other finalists should be extremely proud of their accomplishments," said Bill Lam, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP. "This year, we challenged the teams with a case focused on creating a growth strategy for a startup health-conscious restaurant chain. The participants approached the case with passion and determination for helping guide a socially conscious, purpose-driven brand. The competition provided the MBA students great exposure to the realities of working in a dynamic, ever-changing business world."

"The Deloitte Foundation is committed to providing the emerging workforce with challenging, innovative, experiential learning opportunities," said Seán Morris, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and member of the Deloitte Foundation board of directors. "The MBA National Case Competition, as well as our other education programs, are designed to be a real-world extension of the classroom setting, allowing students to apply their knowledge, and ultimately growing the pipeline of future talent. We continue to be impressed with the exceptional talent showcased during this annual competition."

In addition to the winners, this year's finalists included teams of students from the following MBA programs:

Berkeley Haas School of Business
Columbia Business School
Cornell Johnson College of Business
Dartmouth Tuck School of Business
Duke Fuqua School of Business
Emory Goizueta Business School
MIT Sloan
Northwestern Kellogg School of Management
UCLA Anderson School of Management
University of Chicago Booth School of Business
University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler
University of Texas McCombs School of Business

About the Deloitte Foundation
Deloitte Foundation, founded in 1928, is a not-for-profit organization that supports education in the U.S. through a variety of initiatives that help develop the talent of the future and their influencers and promote excellence in teaching, research and curriculum innovation. The Foundation sponsors an array of national programs relevant to a variety of professional services, benefiting middle/high school students, undergraduates, graduate students and educators. Learn more about the Deloitte Foundation.

About Deloitte
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SOURCE Deloitte