By Megan Bowen

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Launched in 2016, the Women’s Stock Pitch and Leadership Summit challenges students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios. For students attending Utah State’s Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, it is also a proving ground where they can learn, compete, and grow.

Housed at the College of William & Mary, the prestigious event is designed to motivate women to pursue careers in finance. In 2024, USU students Emerald Spencer, Kaiya Green, Agustina Gularte, and Grace Aspittle earned first place — marking the third consecutive year a Huntsman School team won, defeating teams from elite universities worldwide. Sophomore Grace Engst also worked with the team as a representative, gaining experience for future competitions.

“We could have easily said we’re too busy, but with anything like this, where it’s aspirational and it aligns well with Mr. Huntsman’s vision for us to be a top business school, it’s almost like if we don’t do this, then we’re not really making an attempt at that vision,” says Paul Fjeldsted, a senior lecturer in the economics and finance department and one of the faculty mentors for the team.

For the women on the team, preparing for the competition was an intensive journey, requiring mastery of financial modeling and presentation skills. Gularte, a 21-year-old senior, says practice and feedback were critical to their success.

“We asked classmates and professors to listen to our pitches so many times, and they were always happy to provide feedback, which made all the difference,” the finance and economics major recalls.

The team’s stock pitch centered on Skechers, a footwear company they believed was undervalued and overlooked. They highlighted the company’s philanthropy efforts, loyal customer base, and growth potential, delivering a pitch that impressed the judges and demonstrated their passion and research depth.

“Skechers isn’t typically a company that many people are wowed by, so it was cool to change some perspectives,” she says.

The students credit the Huntsman School and their faculty mentors for providing them with the tools — including technical guidance and moral support — to excel.

“The motto of ‘daring mighty things’ means to me that I will say yes to an opportunity even if it is intimidating,” says Spencer, a 21-year-old senior majoring in finance. “I have been lucky to be surrounded by awesome faculty, staff, and students who have confidence in me when I don’t have it myself.”

Participating in the competition was about more than just winning. It was a transformative learning experience for the students. Green, a 20-year-old junior who is also majoring in finance, says the victory was especially validating because the USU team came in as an “underdog” despite being two-time defending champions.

The experience also taught them the importance of teamwork and adaptability.

“Participating in the stock pitch competition pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me the value of articulating ideas clearly and working well in a team dynamic,” Aspittle says.

Janette Goodridge, a professional practice assistant professor of economics and finance in the Huntsman School and another faculty mentor for the team, believes these kinds of hands-on experiences are essential to students’ growth.

“Research and experiential learning opportunities reinforce classroom learning in a practical way while building confidence, critical thinking, and teamwork,” she says. “They help students gain clarity about their career paths and foster personal growth.”

Inspired by their own experience, the students have worked to establish a similar opportunity for others at the Huntsman School — the Huntsman Stock Pitch Competition. Open to students across USU, the competition provides more undergraduates with the chance to gain hands-on experience without having to travel. The new competition also offers professional mentorship from industry leaders, giving students a valuable opportunity to build their networks.

“It’s all about increasing accessibility and preparing students for real-world challenges,” adds Aspittle, a 20-year-old finance major.

The team’s victory at William & Mary was the culmination of months of hard work, late nights, and unwavering support from their mentors and each other. During the competition, the women on the team wore pairs of bright pink Sketchers, which became a symbol of their unity and confidence.

“Everyone could not stop looking at our hot pink shoes. We were changing the game,” Spencer laughs. “But what truly set us apart was our hidden gem, the Huntsman School of Business.”

Looking back, the students agree the experience was more than just a competition. It was a journey of growth, learning, and friendship. For Fjeldsted and Goodridge, the pinnacle was seeing their students’ effort and growth rewarded with success.

“Seeing our students take a leap and grow from the experience is the real win,” Fjeldsted says.

Goodridge echoed those feelings.

“Although we were scattered across different tables in the room, watching them walk up to the stage was a moment I will never forget,” she recalls. “It reminded me of the best part of being a professor, which is connecting with students and sharing these remarkable experiences.”

As the Huntsman School continues to invest in undergraduate research and mentorship, the impact of these experiences ripple far beyond the campus. For the students and faculty involved, the journey is about more than just winning competitions, it is about building confidence and inspiring the next generation to achieve their dreams.

“Winning was an incredible feeling,” Gularte remembers. “It validated all the effort we put into our pitch and motivated me to pursue excellence in my financial career.”