Georgetown MBA Students Step Into the C-Suite for Annual Executive Challenge 

Why would someone want to be led by you? 

That question sits at the heart of the Leadership Communications course at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business – and each year, first-year Full-time MBA students are put to the test in answering it through one of the program’s most immersive experiences: the Executive Challenge.

The day-long, team-based simulation serves as the course’s final exam, placing students in the role of senior leaders navigating high-stakes business scenarios. From managing boardroom conflict to influencing skeptical stakeholders, the Executive Challenge pushes students to apply lessons in real time – testing not just what they know, but how they lead.

“The Executive Challenge is designed to move beyond theory and immerse students in the complexity of real leadership,” said Evelyn Williams, distinguished teaching professor of management and founder of the program. “By placing them in high-stakes, ambiguous situations, we challenge students to exercise judgment, communicate with intention, and navigate competing priorities – just as they would as senior executives. It’s about shaping how they think, decide, and show up as leaders in moments that matter.”

Over the course of the day, students rotate through a series of role-play scenarios – ranging from leading a tense executive meeting to delivering difficult news – while alumni step into the roles of board members, investors, and senior executives. The result is a dynamic, high-pressure environment that mirrors the complexity of real-world leadership.

“You really have to read the room and adjust and adapt in the moment,” said Caroline Martelly (MBA’27), a member of this year’s winning cohort. “Every case has its own dynamic, so you can’t just take what worked in someone else’s room and assume it’ll be the same way in yours.”

This year, a record 140 alumni returned to the Hilltop to support students during the Executive Challenge. Alumni judges provide immediate, candid feedback after each interaction, evaluating students on their ability to manage tasks, communicate effectively, and build relationships under pressure.

The real-time feedback from alumni creates a powerful two-way exchange, giving students candid insight grounded in experience while offering alumni a meaningful opportunity to reflect on their own leadership, share hard-earned perspectives, and help shape the next generation of leaders. 

A defining feature of the Executive Challenge is the role of Leadership Fellows, second-year MBA students who coach and mentor first-years throughout the course and the final simulation.

“Being a Leadership Fellow has been very rewarding,” said Christoper Hui (MBA’26). “After going through the course my first year, I wanted to give back to the school and to my fellow students while also being challenged in a different way. I’m incredibly proud of my cohort – they grew so much over the past six weeks and have become stronger, more influential leaders as a result.”

The mentorship model reinforces the program’s emphasis on continuous growth, while also creating a strong sense of community across MBA cohorts.

“The Leadership Fellows represent the very best of our community,” said Williams. “They are exceptional leaders and communicators in their own right, but they’re also committed to helping their fellow classmates grow and develop as well. Our Fellows are an integral part of the Executive Challenge experience from beginning to end.”

While the Executive Challenge is a simulation, its impact extends far beyond the classroom. Students consistently point to the experience as a turning point in how they approach communication and leadership.

“Effective communication in the corporate world [and perhaps in life in general] depends just as much on emotional awareness as it does on technical substance,” said Alex Lee (MBA’27), another member of the winning cohort. “It’s about understanding people, not just delivering a message.”

The emphasis on emotional intelligence and adaptability reflects Georgetown McDonough’s broader commitment to its Jesuit values – equipping students with the judgment, concern for others, and self-awareness to lead in complex, global environments.

As a result, the Executive Challenge has become a model for experiential learning in business education. The program has earned national recognition, including being named to AACSB International’s Innovations That Inspire, highlighting its role in shaping the future of leadership development.

“The Executive Challenge is one of the most impactful moments in the MBA journey,” said Juliana Olm, assistant dean of strategy and operations for MBA programs. “It brings together students across levels, alumni, faculty, and staff in a way that reflects the strength of the McDonough community – supporting students as they stretch, take risks, and grow into more confident communicators and leaders.”

Additional winners include: