The University of Vermont’s Grossman School of Business hosted the 13th Annual Schlesinger Global Family Enterprise Case Competition (SG-FECC) from January 7–10, convening 21 teams from 11 countries across 4 continents for an intensive four-day event focused on family business education. This year’s competition brought together 100+ undergraduate and graduate student competitors and 59 judges from around the world to tackle complex challenges facing family enterprises. 

Often referred to as the “World Cup” of Family Business Case Competitions, SG-FECC challenges student teams to analyze real-world cases involving family-owned enterprises and present strategies to balance socio-emotional wealth and financial success. 

 

2026 Highlights 

  • 21 teams representing universities from North America, South America, Europe, and Asia 

  • ~ 60 judges serving on panels, representing academia, family business advisors and leaders 

  • ~60 UVM students led the planning and execution of this student-run event, managing logistics, hospitality, and programming 

  • Cases focused on real-world dilemmas such as succession planning, governance, and adapting to industry disruption  

Voices from SG-FECC 

Competitors and judges shared what makes SG-FECC a transformative experience: 

“We are super happy because we are in the finals! I think we brought good energy. People liked our presentation style, and we really connected as a team over the last couple of days.” — Charlotte of Team Heilbronn University, Germany 

“When you come to a case competition at this level, these young people are here from all over the world. Many speak three, four, or five languages, often competing in a language that isn’t their native tongue. They are so positive, vibrant, and smart—it gives you great hope.” — Judge Adam Ifshin, DLC USA 

“It’s sometimes less about winning or losing—it’s the opportunity to participate under pressure, practice skills, and think on your feet. This will be a memorable experience for them as they develop their careers.” — Judge Jim Tessmer, Brown Brothers Harriman, USA 

“Since being on the team and competing in competitions, I’ve grown tremendously as a person and a leader. I feel much more prepared to enter my post-grad life than I did a year ago.” — Freya Seneski of Team Culverhouse College of Business, Alabama 

 

2026 Winners 

Undergraduate League 

  • 1st place: Bishop’s University, CANADA 

  • 2nd place: Grand Valley State University, USA 

  • 3rd place: Universidad Panamericana, Guadalajara, MEXICO 

  • 4th place: University of Alabama, Culverhouse College of Business, USA 

Graduate League 

  • 1st place: Sasin School of Management, THAILAND 

  • 2nd place: ESADE, SPAIN 

  • 3rd place: Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences, GERMANY 

 

Other Awards 

  • Student Ambassador Award: Kaelyn Hayward, Fin Martin 

  • Outstanding Contributor Awards: Joe Anderson, Seth Rubinstein, Grace Berry, Jordan Dawley 

Best Presenter Awards 

Undergraduate 

  • Oak Division  

  • Noah Lepore — Loyola University Chicago 

  • Vivienne Webster — Bishop’s University 

  • Maple Division  

  • Ava Sutherland — University of Alberta 

  • Seth Dockendroff — University of Prince Edward Island 

  • Pine Division  

  • Claire Washburn — Mississippi State University 

  • Nicolas Diaz Rodriguez — Universidad de los Andes 

  • Spruce Division  

  • Johanna Carvache — Universidad Internacional del Ecuador 

  • Griffin Zimmer — University of Vermont, Grossman School of Business 

Finals  

  • Andrea Urbina Romero — Universidad Panamericana, Guadalajara 

  • Jesse Park — University of Alabama, Culverhouse College of Business 

Graduate 

Paper Birch Division  

  • Charlotte Schule — Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences 

  • Loni Andres — University of Manitoba, Asper School of Business 

Cedar Elm Division  

  • Caroline Rooney — University of Vermont, Grossman School of Business 

  • Ling-Yu Yen — National Sun Yat-Sen University 

Copper Beech Division  

  • Yiyang Liu — HKUST Business School 

  • Krisztian Tofalvi — Babes-Bolyai University 

 

A Student-Run Event 

As in previous years, SG-FECC was organized by UVM undergraduate students, who managed logistics, hospitality, and programming for participants. The event also featured networking opportunities and social activities, reinforcing SG-FECC’s reputation as a premier experiential learning event. 

 

Support and Sponsors 

We are honored to partner with incredible supporters who make this event possible: 

  • Major Sponsors – Steven Grossman ’61, Adam Ifshin, Jim Keller ’72, Chuck Tauck ’76 & Robin Tauck ’77, Steve Schlesinger ’83 

  • Event Sponsors – Sukey & Davis Farmer ’79, Lisa & Dan Lehan ’88, Robyn Worrall ’14, The Waesche Family, Foley, Incorporated, Olivia's Organics, Butler Bros. Industrial Supply, UVM Family Business Club, Flexaseal Engineered Seals and Systems, LLC 

  • Case Sponsors – Edward Elgar Publishing, IMD Switzerland, Henokiens, China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management 

 

View full 2026 results and photos on the SG-FECC website: 
https://site.uvm.edu/sgfecc 

For more information about SG-FECC or the Grossman School of Business, visit: 
https://www.uvm.edu/business/schlesinger-global-family-enterprise-case-competition-sg-fecc