A team of four graduate students from the University of Pittsburgh School of Business placed second in the National Black MBA Association case competition. The event took place during the National Black MBA Conference and Exposition in Los Angeles, CA, September 23 to 25, 2026.
By capturing second place, the team consisting of Jordyn White, (MBA/MID ’27), Faith Crawford (MS + BA ’27), Kanvi Sharma, (MBA ‘28) and Ben Bordenstein (MS ‘27) earned a $15,000 prize. Crawford also won best presenter for the first round, an award that White received the previous year.
White believes attending this conference for the past two years has prepared her in numerous ways for her professional career.
“It has truly shown me the epitome of excellence and what is possible through a strong network of like-minded individuals,” says White. “I have learned so much from the advice and experiences of top executives such as Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Don Thompson, and Liz Thompson. I am truly grateful to Pitt for sponsoring my attendance at National Black because it has genuinely changed my life and given me opportunities that have helped shape me as a professional.”
According to Laura Oknefski, senior director of graduate academic programs and student services, “Pitt Business has been attending this conference for over two decades and the event has jump-started numerous students’ careers.”
In the past five years, Katz students who have attended NBMBAA have had a nine percent higher placement rate within 90 days of graduation, as compared to the overall placement rate of our students in the same timeframe. Many students have received internships or full-time offers at Bristol Meyers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson and other corporations because of meetings with recruiters at NBMBAA.
The team was supported by Katie Bennett, associate director, student engagement, who manages all case competition participation; Molly Christy, assistant director, career development center, who served as their advisor; and two Executives in Residence, Jim Woll and Bill Slivka, who served as coaches.
Discover details about the academic possibilities with Pitt Business.