Innovative Leadership Challenge Winners Announced
The University of Findlay College of Business hosted its second Innovative Leadership Challenge on April 15 in the Ritz Auditorium in Old Main. A total of 18 teams presented entrepreneurial business proposals with 11 teams making it to the finals. Formerly known as the Innovation Competition, which was similar to Shark Tank, the Innovative Leadership Challenge provides an extra focus on leadership in addition to overall business skills.
Open to all University students, participants can choose from three categories to compete in: Innovative Leadership, Innovative Business and Student Organization Case Study. In the final round, winners were selected by a panel of business leaders from the community including Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, CEO and president of Garner Trucking, Inc.; Susan Treece, co-owner of the Findlay Brewing Company; Carla Treadway, entrepreneur and owner of Tread’s Grym; and Julie Williamson-Wright, vice president of organizational chain management at Information Services Group (ISG).
In each category, first place received $2,500, second place received $1,000, and third place received $500. The finalists in the three categories were as follows:
Innovative Leadership
1st – Active Campus Emergency Seminar (A.C.E.S.)
Nicole Bosserman proposed an on-campus seminar to increase awareness of active shooter emergency plans, provide knowledge and tools on active shooter situations, and allow individuals to get first aid and Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certifications.
2nd – 4 Paws for Ability
This is a non-profit organization based in Xenia, Ohio, that places quality service dogs with children with disabilities and veterans who have lost use of limbs or hearing and educate the public regarding use of service dogs in public places. Rachael Quandt proposed an on-campus club that would foster 4 Paws puppies to enhance their socialization and obedience training.
3rd – Fearless Financial Club
Bonnie Vue presented her idea for a club that would educate students how to capitalize on financial freedom.
Innovative Business
1st – SudHub
Aaron Overhiser and Marissa Pellis presented their cellphone application that would provide a simpler and more secure laundry process for university students. The app would utilize all-in-one washer-dryer units with Wi-Fi capabilities to send notifications when loads are complete or when machines are available.
2nd – BLURRY
Sergio Palacio Martinez proposed an organization that would employ recovering addicts in a pottery and flower business. The employed individuals would use their story of recovery to inspire the pottery design and the act of gardening as a sort of rehabilitation.
3rd – Pathfinder
Nicole Bosserman presented her idea for a equine consulting company, where she would travel to various barns and business to train and provide equine business advice.
Student Organization Case Study
The finalists in the case study category came up with a solution to a problem in order to demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving and leadership skills. One of the case studies presented a conflict between the upper and lowerclassmen that deterred new members from joining a club. The other case study required the teams to determine how they would choose between funding an event presented by an individual they don’t always get along with or by a friend.
1st – Circle K
2nd – Truck Club
3rd – Accounting Club