On April 17, 2026, I had the opportunity to serve as a judge for the 2026 Carol A. Ammon Case Competition hosted by the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics. I was extremely proud to be part of this event, and having the opportunity to judge the competition was truly the cherry on top of an already meaningful experience.
The competition brought together talented students who analyzed a complex business case, developed strategic recommendations, and presented their solutions to a panel of judges. As a judge, I evaluated multiple teams, listened to their presentations, asked questions about their strategies, and learned how each team approached problem-solving in their own unique way.
Among the many teams I judged, one team especially stood out to me. Their approach was thoughtful, and what impressed me the most was that they did not only present their main strategy—they also demonstrated a strong fallback plan. They showed that they had considered possible challenges, risks, and alternative paths, which highlighted the depth of their preparation and critical thinking. Their ability to think beyond the first solution and prepare for uncertainty made their presentation especially memorable.
During their presentation, some of the judges, including myself, initially had questions about their approach and wanted to better understand their perspective. I carefully crafted my questions in a way that allowed the team to explain their reasoning more clearly and helped bring their strategy into focus for the judging panel. Watching the conversation evolve and seeing the strength behind their ideas become more apparent was an incredibly rewarding experience.
When I returned home and later learned that this same team had won the competition, I was genuinely thrilled. Being able to recognize their potential while judging and then see their hard work rewarded was an amazing feeling. It reminded me that effective judging is not only about evaluating answers—it is about understanding ideas, asking meaningful questions, and creating a space where great thinking can shine.
Beyond the winning team, I was inspired by every participant’s confidence, creativity, and willingness to tackle complex business challenges. This experience reinforced my appreciation for curiosity, critical thinking, and strong communication. I left the competition feeling grateful to have been part of such an impactful event and proud to have contributed, even in a small way, to supporting the growth of future business leaders.