JMSB Wins Silver at the Inaugural HEC Sustainability Challenge Case Competition

March 16, 2010 - Congratulations to JMSB MBA students Rina Albala, Michael Gerstel, Elizabeth Gillis, and Henry Shih on their outstanding performance at the 1st edition of the HEC Sustainability Challenge Case Competition. On March 13, JMSB competed with other top business schools from across Canada and delivered a solid performance that earned the team Second Prize. HEC-Montréal took home the winning title and McMaster University finished in third place.

The HEC Sustainability Challenge provides MBA students with an opportunity to test their strategic analysis skills against fellow MBA competitors, as well as to network with sustainable organizations and environmentally responsible companies.

The case was based on an industry analysis of clean and renewable energy and was not focused on any particular organization. The competitors' mandate was to paint a picture of the energy landscape in 15-30 years and to make recommendations for this time period. Given the wide breadth of the case, each team handled the case differently and no two presentations were alike. JMSB’s team decided to present their analysis and action plan to a coalition of Canadian business and opinion leaders with a vested interest in finding a long-term, sustainable energy solution. They recommended that the panel form the Canadian Alliance for Sustainable Energy, work together to position Canada as the global expert in hydro, solar and geothermal energy, and gradually move towards increased use of such resources. They also suggested exporting the knowledge through global seminars and investing in programs in Africa, Asia and Latin America to address energy poverty.

Lead coach Malaz Sebai remarked “This competition was particularly interesting because every team presented something entirely unique. Our team put together a thorough industry analysis about renewable energy in just 4 hours; quite an impressive feat.”

Our students' stellar performance was also recognized with a $300 cash prize.

Thanks go to head coach Tim Field, and lead coaches Carole Charbonneau and Malaz Sebai for helping to prepare the team for this success. Special thanks go to MBA case competition organizer Ivonne Medina, Miriam Roland, and the MBA Program for their support in making JMSB’s participation possible.