Russell Investments International Case Competition

"Hosted annually by the UW Foster School of Business, the Russell Investments International Case Competition challenges undergraduates to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world business problems."

Coming from a non-business major, and with this being my first case competition, I was definitely nervous. That quickly shifted when I realized I could bring a technology and AI integration perspective that added real value to our team. With the prompt centered on AI + LEGO, I found myself drawing on prior experience to help shape how AI could be used responsibly, creatively, and realistically within the product.

As our team’s Operational Executive, I led the development of a 3-year project roadmap that included brand research, creating wireframes in Figma, KPIs, and risk-mitigation strategies. Along the way, I also spent time breaking down AI concepts, use cases, and constraints for my teammates, while learning just as much from them about practical business applications, strategy, and storytelling.

My favorite part of the experience was the Q&A. It pushed me to think beyond what we had already planned—to consider scalability, expansion, edge cases, and long-term impact. It was where I felt I could best connect technical thinking with business growth and showcase how our idea could evolve beyond the initial scope.

What started as a fun challenge (and free lunch) turned into a clear reminder of how adaptable I am and how much I enjoy working at the intersection of technology, business, and creativity. Proud to say our team (Kimberly Chu, Kiara Lam, Shreya Vommi) earned 2nd place in my first-ever case competition.