Six children are smiling because their wish has become a reality due to the leadership of twelve MBA students at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. 

The Kenan-Flagler Business School offered an “Apprentice”-like  learning experience to three dynamic teams of their top students.  Each team was given $250 of seed money, winning teamtwo days of total immersion in the assignment and executive consultants. Their challenge was to contact potential sponsors and donors to achieve their goal to help grant at least one wish for a child living with a life-threatening medical condition.  Professionals of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Eastern North Carolina were on call as a resource throughout the challenge. The students were video taped at three checkpoints to evaluate their leadership and communication skills.  So not only did they gain insight on their leadership skills but learned some valuable lessons in fundraising. 

The three teams were able to raise $33,500 in just 48 hours.

The winning team of Lindsey Aponte, Charlie Mercer, Danielle Brown, and Adithya Mathai attended the 2009 Wish Ball, will participate in a wish party, and enjoy lunch compliments of Suzanne Sutter, President, and CEO.

The students had an opportunity to meet one of the children for whom they worked so hard for two days. They were visited by Brandon and his mother to express their thanks for all they had done. All involved in this project were visibly moved by the entire experience which far exceeded all projected expectations.

Everyone came out a winner in this challenge!  Kudos to Dr. Adam Grant and his colleagues at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School for combining learning and philanthropy resulting in wish memories that will last a lifetime!

Congratulations Lindsey, Charlie, Danielle, and Adithya!