University of Houston's C. T. Bauer College of Business Takes First Place in The Executive Leadership Council's 2012 Business Case Competition on Corporate Philanthropy

Winning Team Takes Home $35,000 in Scholarships and Recognition at ELC's National Gala

FAIRFAX, Va., April 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- MBA students from the University of Houston's C. T. Bauer College of Business took first place in The Executive Leadership Council's (ELC) 2012 Business Case Competition today, which focused on corporate partnerships and support for African-American non-profits.  Bauer was one of three finalist teams competing for $70,000 in scholarships.  Sponsored for the third year by Exxon Mobil Corporation, the annual competition invited MBA teams from select business schools to analyze compelling business issues that challenged their critical thinking, analytical, and communications skills.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120420/DC92000-a)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120420/DC92000-b)

Two other teams from Emory University's Goizueta Business School and Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School of Business placed second and third place, respectively. The winning team was selected by a distinguished panel of judges that included leaders from corporations and non-profits, such as the Compass Group, 100 Black Men of America, AETNA, Inc., Aztec Worldwide Group, United Way Worldwide, the Silver Parker Group, and the League of United Latin American Citizens.

"Our team knew we had a strong case, and we were honored to be selected for the finals," said team captain Emeka N. Akpunonu, a second-year MBA candidate at C. T. Bauer College of Business. "This was an important case that resonated with each of us; and just as much as we wanted to win, we also wanted to make a difference.  It was our intention to offer sustainable solutions for continuing strong corporate support for African-American non-profits."  

ELC's Business Case Competition challenged this year's teams to develop strategies for strengthening ties between the corporate social responsibility community and African-American non-profits during tough economic times. Specifically, the competition examined how corporations can expand their global philanthropy efforts to African-American non-profits and other community groups at sustained or higher levels.

"I would like to congratulate all of the teams for their strong showings in the ELC's Business Case Competition and for placing in the Finals.  However, the team from University of Houston's Bauer College of Business made a strong case, presenting exceptional recommendations on the steps corporations and African-American non-profits need to take to strengthen their ties," said Arnold Donald, ELC's president and CEO.  Donald added, "Emeka and his teammate Clyde McNeil offered powerful solutions for helping corporations retain and increase charitable giving to African-American non-profits while expanding their philanthropic footprint around the globe."  

Both members of the Bauer team will share a $35,000 scholarship cash award and will be recognized during ELC's 2012 Annual Recognition Gala in October before an audience of more than 2,000 corporate, education and government leaders.  The second place team from Emory's Goizueta Business School will receive a $20,000 scholarship cash award with the third place team from Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School of Business receiving $15,000.

About The Executive Leadership Council
The Executive Leadership Council is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(6) corporation founded in 1986, comprised of current and former African-American CEOs and senior executives at Fortune 500 and equivalent companies. For more than 25 years, the ELC has worked to build an inclusive business leadership pipeline and to empower African-American corporate leaders to make significant and impactful contributions in the global marketplace and their communities. Our programs develop future business leaders, filling the pipeline from the classroom to the boardroom. It is the preeminent organization that recognizes the strengths, success, contributions, and impact of African-American corporate business leaders.

The ELC's related charitable organization, the Executive Leadership Foundation, focuses on improving local communities and helping disadvantaged groups within the broader society. The 501(c)(3) affiliate supports education programs and provides scholarships to deserving students interested in business and corporate careers. For more information about The Executive Leadership Council, please visit www.elcinfo.com.

About ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil, the largest publicly traded international oil and gas company, uses technology and innovation to help meet the world's growing energy needs. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading inventory of resources, is the largest refiner and marketer of petroleum products, and its chemical company is one of the largest in the world. For more information, visit www.exxonmobil.com.

ExxonMobil engages in a range of philanthropic activities that advance education, health and science in the communities where ExxonMobil has significant operations. Globally, ExxonMobil provides funding to improve basic education, promote women as catalysts for development, and combat malaria and other infectious diseases in developing countries. 

In 2010, together with its employees and retirees, Exxon Mobil Corporation, its divisions and affiliates, and Exxon Mobil Foundation provided $237 million in contributions worldwide, of which $110 million was dedicated to education.  Additional information on ExxonMobil's community partnerships and contributions programs is available at www.exxonmobil.com/community.

SOURCE Executive Leadership Council