The Pitt Business Professional Sales Academy wrapped up its spring semester offering on Friday, February 28, with a case competition. Students were challenged to introduce sponsor Proofpoint’s Human-Centric Security Platform to potential clients. They were encouraged to collaborate with a sponsor mentor and customize their presentations using metrics, analyst insights, and customer stories from Proofpoint’s website.
“We partnered with Pitt Business to help develop the next generation of sales professionals. Sales is the foundation of any successful business, and this opportunity provides an excellent platform for students to gain real-world skills,” says Domenico Maiuri, senior director of People Protection at Proofpoint.
Five teams spent the semester learning from sales experts before working together to see who would come out on top. “The Sales Academy introduced me to networking opportunities and assisted me in assessing my skills and determining what skills I should be developing for my future career,” says Emily Dvorchak (BSBA ’26).
Students on the winning team included Dvorchak, Isabella Elmor (BSBA ’27), Ashley Ingenito (SCI ’25), Zehui Li (BSBA ’26), Will Roper (ENGR ’26), Rory Walsh (A&S ’26), and Elliott Wannop (BSBA ’26).
Each student on the winning team took home $500. Thanks to sponsor Proofpoint, all student participants received a monetary prize. Maiuri said, “It was inspiring to see students grow in confidence, communication, and understanding of sales fundamentals. Watching them apply what they learned reinforced the value of hands-on experience in preparing future sales leaders.”
John Houston (ENGR ‘82G, A&S ’78), the Executive-in-Residence who started the program, was impressed by this year’s group of students. “Watching the teams participate in the classroom and their enthusiasm from the early classes through the business case presentations is extremely rewarding for me,” he says.
About the Sales Academy
The Pitt Business Professional Sales Academy is a co-curricular experience designed to educate undergraduate students on the theory and best practices of effective sales practices and techniques. The academy consists of workshops, guest lecturers from leading industries, and a sales case competition for scholarship money. All students will receive a certificate of completion.
“Whether you know you want to pursue a sales career or are just curious if it could be a pathway for you, I encourage enrolling in the next Academy. The skills you learn are extremely useful for all careers and will last a lifetime,” says Houston.
Dvorchak would recommend participating to all students. “I met so many wonderful connections that showed me many aspects of a career in sales. Meeting the mentors and leaders of this program gave me someone to look up to. Also, working with my team introduced me to hardworking peers I never would have met otherwise.”
Roper, an electrical engineering student, found tremendous value in the program. “It’s eye opening to realize that any interview, presentation, or even conversation with a supervisor is a sales pitch for yourself or your ideas,” he says.
Questions about all the undergraduate professional development programs should be directed to Katie Fives at kaf226@pitt.edu
Thank You, Judges!
The team at the University of Pittsburgh School of Business would like to thank the following individuals who took the time to judge the competition, mentor students, and network.
- Tara Adamczyk – Advertising and Marketing Advisor, The Pitt News
- Alycia Baker – Talent Acquisition Specialist, Enterprise
- Dan Durkin – SME Commercial Sales Manager, Proofpoint
- Adam Elsayed – Regional Director, Proofpoint
- Danny Gardner – Director, Ticket Operations, Pittsburgh Penguins
- Domenico Maiuri – Senior Director, People Protection, Proofpoint *Case Developer
- Devon Schneider – Sales Executive, ADP
- Connor Siskovic – Director of Ticket Sales, Pittsburgh Penguins
- Daniel Stefancin – Senior Manager, Sales-FinServ, Proofpoint
- Kevin P. Smith – General Manager, The Pitt News
- Josh Weber – Senior Manager, Inside Sales, Proofpoint