First place win for SFU Beedie at the MBA Diversity & Inclusion Case Challenge

A team of SFU Beedie students secured a first place at the ninth annual MBA Diversity & Inclusion Case Challenge, hosted by the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa.

This year’s case challenge, organized in partnership with Deloitte and EDC, highlighted the importance of experiential learning in developing socially responsible business leaders. Participants were tasked with developing solutions for an emerging crisis: the challenges that Canadian agriculture faces with labour shortages, and how to overcome those challenges. The goal was to develop solutions that not only addressed labour shortages but also incorporate Indigenous perspectives, sustainability, and technological innovation.

The final round was highly competitive, with four finalists: SFU Beedie, the Telfer School of Management, HEC Montréal, and the Smith School of Business. Their challenge was to develop solutions that not only address labor shortages but also incorporate Indigenous perspectives, sustainability, and technological innovation. Excelling in all areas, SFU Beedie’s team emerged victorious, winning first place and the $5,000 prize.

The team, made up of MBA students Sarah Wheatley, Emily Beebe, Natasha Thanasiriwatthana, and Sara Fatema Chowdhury, and coached by FT MBA alumnus Patrick Cameron, won through their dedication and creativity in solving complex problems. Their strategies highlighted how digital technologies, sustainability, scaling, and exporting could transform the sector while respecting Indigenous perspectives.

"The highlight of the 9th Annual Telfer D&I challenge was the opportunity for community building with like-minded individuals passionate about social and environmental impact,” says team member Natasha Thanasiriwatthana. "I feel grateful for the connections I made with inspirational attendees, judges, and hosts in Ottawa during the competition weekend. Winning the competition is a testament to the achievements that are possible when team members dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion work together towards a shared vision.”

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the SFU Beedie team on their achievement.