The 2nd Annual CEBC Ethics Case Competition recently took place here at the Opus College of Business. With the support of United Health Group and the local business community, five teams comprised of four full-time MBA students presented their unique approaches to “Social Media, Free Speech and the Ethical Corporation.”
Each team was charged with the task of researching and presenting a corporate policy on the issue that took into account business, legal and ethical facets. The competition’s new research-style format allowed for broad research and distinctly varied conclusions presented to the mock executive board. The role of the mock executive board was in a judging capacity and the interaction and expertise of this group elevated the activities of the day even further.
This group included: Kathleen Edmund (Chief Ethics Officer at Best Buy), Rob Föehl (Director of Corporate Compliance & Ethics at Target), Ken Goodpaster, Ph.D. (Koch Endowed Chair in Business Ethics at the University of St. Thomas), Jeanne Hickey (Vice President of Ethics and Compliance Office at ev3 Inc.), Ron James (President and CEO, the Center for Ethical Business Cultures), Jack Radke (Chief Ethics Officer at UnitedHealth Group), Linda Soranno (Vice President, Deputy General Counsel at General Mills), Judith Walker (Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Chief Compliance & Ethics Officer at BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota). The analysis, review and conversation with the judges proved both an insightful and rewarding component of the competition.
The winning presentation was an all first-year team, comprised of Noble Duncanson, Sean Elder, Roman Savchenko and Sara Speiker. Congratulations are extended to them for their hard work and compelling policy presentation. Further congratulations are in order for members named to the all-star team: Brittany Barnes, Sean Elder, Roman Savchenko, Brian Slattery and Sara Speiker. These individuals were chosen to represent the University of St. Thomas in the next phase of competition. The overall success of the day however, was due to the immense support and collaboration of students, faculty, judges and sponsors alike. The growth of the competition since it’s first year was notable and the precedent has been set for even higher expectations next year!
Editor’s note: This post, by Brian Slattery, comes from Notes from the Commons, published by the Full-time UST MBA Student Life Office at the University of St. Thomas.