Students lead with integrity and purpose at MBA Responsible Leadership Challenge
The new cohort of Ted Rogers MBA students had the opportunity to strengthen their skills in responsible leadership through a case competition generously funded by Zabeen Hirji (external link, opens in new window) , Founder, Purposeful Third Act, and former CHRO, RBC.
The inaugural MBA Responsible Leadership Challenge at the Ted Rogers School of Management was held on September 12, 2025, and featured 43 incoming MBA students participating in nine teams. Students presented in front of senior industry leaders, with winning teams receiving cash prizes and funds to donate to non-profit organizations.
“This gift to the Ted Rogers School of Management is deeply personal because it aligns perfectly with my purpose, to unlock human potential and build inclusive prosperity,” says Hirji, who was a speaker at the Ted Rogers MBA’s 2025 Reimagining Women in Leadership Conference. She first established the MBA Responsible Leadership Challenge in 2024 at Simon Fraser University Beedie School of Business as part of her “Purposeful Third Act.”
“The Ted Rogers School is one of Canada’s largest business schools, with 13,000 students whose diversity reflects Toronto itself: new immigrants, first-generation Canadians and the first in their families to attend university,” Hirji points out. “Supporting them is not only about education; it’s about building a stronger, more resilient Canada.”
Valuable learning opportunity
The focus of Hirji’s MBA Responsible Leadership Challenge is responsible leadership: an approach grounded in ethics, accountability, and a commitment to creating long-term value for a wide range of stakeholders – employees, customers, communities, the environment and shareholders. It provides emerging and early career leaders with experiential learning to explore the complexities of responsible leadership through real-world scenarios that demand strategic thinking, stakeholder orientation, empathy and courage.
“I’ve always believed in the power of both formal education and experiential learning to transform lives,” Hirji explains. “This case competition gives MBA students an immersive opportunity early in their program to step into leadership, test themselves against real-world challenges and practice the mindset of responsible leadership: being purpose-led, values-based and performance-driven. The world needs more of that today and tomorrow.”
The MBA Responsible Leadership Challenge strongly aligns with the Ted Rogers School’s vision to be globally recognized for education that shapes the world of business and develops principled leaders. “We are grateful for Zabeen Hirji’s generous gift to support the inaugural MBA Responsible Leadership Challenge at our school because it enriches the graduate student experience outside the classroom and prepares our students to become better leaders in the evolving business world,” says Cynthia Holmes, Dean, Ted Rogers School.
Case competition
The case created for the Ted Rogers MBA Responsible Leadership Challenge drove students to apply the principles of responsible leadership to address the unsustainable "always-on" work culture. It argues that true business success, much like an athlete's, depends on balancing high performance with employee well-being and recovery. The case asked students to provide recommendations for leaders on how to build a culture of "human sustainability" where people can thrive.
Students worked collaboratively in nine teams to put together their case, with the support from a coach (a senior Ted Rogers MBA student or graduate). Their presentations were judged by a faculty member and alumni for the first round, and by senior industry executives during the final round.
“This challenge encourages students to think critically, collaborate effectively, draw on diverse experiences and apply their learning to real-world challenges,” says Hirji. “By grappling with a contemporary business issue, they practice navigating complexity, balancing competing priorities and developing creative solutions. I hope this challenge sets the tone for their MBA journey.”
The top three teams at the Ted Rogers MBA Responsible Leadership Challenge were:
- 1st place: $1,500 cash prize
Team #7: Salvador Sandoval, Farbod Bakhty Soroosh, Gabriella Bunag and Caroline Flabiano
Coach: Olesia Demediuk (2nd year MBA student)
- 2nd place: $1,000 cash prize
Team #6: Hamid Fini, Graeme Glebe, Guillermo Lopez Pineda and John Ghazal
Coach: Ashlesha Kharat (MBA ’25)
- 3rd place: $500 cash prize
Team #2: Aseel Ba Gunaid, Larena Gomes, Klaudio Koci, Cole Mercuur and Tyra Dorsey
Coach: Farhan Zia (MBA ’13)
In addition to the prize money, the top three teams were given $1,000 each to donate to a not-for-profit organization from a short-list. The first, second and third place teams donated to The Redwood, Second Harvest and Junior Achievement Central Ontario, respectively. Hirji will make donations to the selected organizations separately.
“I appreciate the opportunity that the Ted Rogers MBA Responsible Leadership Challenge, sponsored by Zabeen Hirji, created to collaboratively brainstorm solutions to a real-world challenge and then present to industry leaders,“ says MBA student Caroline Flabiano, who was part of the first place team. “The competition was well-organized and well-managed, which made for a rewarding learning experience. I also enjoyed the opportunity to network and share ideas with fellow students, mentors and industry leaders. I am looking forward to the next challenge.”
Judges and awards celebration
The preliminary round judges for the competition were: Ken Grant (Professor, Entrepreneurship & Strategy), Ted Rogers MBA alumni Senny Chen (’24), Nick Asquini (’18), Naveed Tagari (’24), Malcolm D'Souza (’15), Evgenii Ostanine (’19), Kirk Smith (’16), Sean Coates (’11), Christian Legare (’24), and Ted Rogers MBA Alumni Association President Lindsay Ellis (’13).
The final rounds judges included Paula Allen (Global Leader and VP, Research, Insights and Strategic Communications, Telus Health), Teri Dennis-Davies (Chief People and Inclusion Officer, Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) Partnership) and Jodi Baker-Calamai (National Managing Partner, Human Capital, Deloitte).
The Awards Ceremony for the case competition was hosted at Deloitte’s Head offices. At the event, Deloitte’s Sheri Penner (Managing Partner, Purpose & Sustainability), gave a talk on ESG (environmental, social and governance) and her organization’s efforts toward sustainability.
“The Responsible Leadership Challenge had a real impact on Ted Rogers MBA students. Just two weeks into classes, our new MBA cohort tackled a tough case, worked with Ted Rogers MBA alumni coaches and industry judges, and proved they belong,” says Nicole Ducommun, Director, Graduate Program Administration. “It was a powerful start to their MBA journey, capped by an awards celebration at Deloitte’s head office, thanks to the generous support and vision of Zabeen Hirji.”
Paying it forward
The MBA Responsible Leadership Challenge allows senior Ted Rogers MBA students, alumni and industry executives to support emerging business leaders. “For alumni and mentors, this competition is an opportunity to contribute, to pay it forward, by sharing insights and experiences, while also learning from the next generation,” Hirji says. “I hope it becomes a platform for leaders supporting leaders across generations.”
Hirji herself has benefited from the help of mentors and sponsors in her career. “Mentors have played an important role in my journey, offering career guidance, encouragement, constructive challenge and practical advice to solve business problems and seize opportunities,” she explains. “While mentors speak with you, sponsors speak about you. It was sponsors who accelerated my career (external link, opens in new window) : advocating for me, lifting me up and trusting me with stretch roles that propelled my growth.”
“This, to me, is responsible leadership. It’s not only about achieving your own success, but about using your influence to lift others, create opportunities and build environments where people can thrive,” Hirji adds. “Mentorship and sponsorship are powerful ways to do just that: helping others find their voice, step into opportunity and ensure the next generation is ready to build a more inclusive and prosperous future.”
