The 2025 Strategic Risk Case Competition, launched by AcademyGlobal in collaboration with the Institute of Strategic Risk Management (ISRM), brought together an exceptional group of emerging professionals from across Australia and New Zealand. With 70 teams from 20 universities, the competition has rapidly evolved into a major initiative—promoting strategic risk thinking among students while strengthening ISRM’s presence across the region.
The response to the competition was overwhelming. Following more than 100 expressions of interest, teams were selected from nearly every Australian state and territory—excluding only the Northern Territory—as well as a diverse range of New Zealand’s higher education institutions. This broad participation reflects a growing appetite for experiential learning in risk management and highlights the importance of equipping future leaders to navigate uncertainty in an increasingly complex world.
At the centre of the competition was a realistic and highly relevant case challenge: advising a high-growth Australian company operating within a dynamic global risk landscape. Acting as strategic risk consultants, student teams prepared board-level presentations evaluating the company’s risk exposure, recommending mitigation strategies and mapping out a sustainable growth pathway. The format was intentionally designed to reflect real-world consulting engagements—demanding analytical rigour, clear communication and strong teamwork under pressure.
Finalists delivered their solutions before a panel of expert judges during a high-level session on Monday, 14 April. The Award Ceremony, featuring the winners being announced by ISRM Executive Director Dr David Rubens, celebrated the outstanding work of all participants. The top three teams stood out for their insight, professionalism and ability to apply theory to practice:
1st Place: Keystone Strategy – University of Queensland
2nd Place: WealthWise Consulting – Macquarie University
3rd Place: Americas Consulting – Torrens University Australia
Alongside cash prizes, all winning teams received a copy of Presilience by ISRM ANZ Hub President Dr Gav Schneider. The three winning teams will each have an opportunity to be mentored by senior ISRM and Academy Global officers, giving them added benefit for their personal and professional development. Participants in the competition are also eligible for complimentary student membershipwith ISRM, giving them access to a global network of risk professionals, insights and ongoing development opportunities.
More than a competition, the Strategic Risk Case Competition is a platform for learning, collaboration and professional growth. It reflects the shared vision of AcademyGlobal and ISRM: to develop the next generation of risk leaders—those equipped to meet complex challenges with confidence, clarity and strategic insight.
The success of the 2025 edition sets a strong foundation for future initiatives and marks a significant step forward in advancing risk leadership across the region.
With thanks to participating judges:
- Laura Jury, M.ISRM – Chair, ISRM New Zealand
- Brett Dobbie, M.ISRM – Deputy Chair, ISRM Australia (NWS)
- Paul Vorbach, F.ISRM – Chair, ISRM Australia (NWS)
- Teresa Riccio-Goodwin, M.ISRM – Director, Oxford and James
- Carl Fernando, F.ISRM – Director, CANDA Consulting
And assessors:
- Francesa Dickson, F.ISRM
- Brett Dobbie, M.ISRM
- Daniel Bandese, M.ISRM
- Arun Devendran, M.ISRM
- Carl Fernando, F.ISRM
With thanks to participating universities and representatives:
- Melanie Barr – Partnerships Director, Faculty of Business, Economics & Law, Auckland University of Technology
- Dr Amanda White OAM – Associate Professor, UTS Business School
- Irudhaya Rajesh Johnsam – Senior Lecturer, Flinders University
- Dr Tommy Soesmanto – Program Director (Commerce), Griffith Business School
- Dr Thanh Nguyen – Senior Lecturer (Business), James Cook University (Singapore)
- Dr Tillmann Böhme – Associate Professor, Supply Chain, University of Wollongong
- Dr Quan (Spring) Zhou – Senior Lecturer (Operations and Supply Chain), University of Wollongong
- Ian P.L. Kwan – Senior Lecturer, UNSW Business School
- Professor Babak Abedin – Head of Department (Actuarial Studies and Business Analytics), Macquarie University
- Dr Xiaohua (Sean) Jin – Associate Professor (Project Management), Western Sydney University
- Professor Alana Maurushat – Cybersecurity and Behaviour, Western Sydney University
- Kelly Rothschild – Faculty Member, Torrens University
- Naoise McDonagh – MBA Director, Edith Cowan University
- Dr William Young – Industry Fellow, Swinburne University
