Salma Khalaf is an MSc Business Analytics student and VP of Business Analytics in the MSc Association. Gargi Kaur Bedi is an MSc Digital Management student and VP of Digital Management in the MSc Association. Both served as co-presidents of the student organizing team for Hack the Case 2025. In their blog below, they share the behind-the-scenes story of organizing the event and the lessons they learned from the experience.
Although Hack the Case was considered a student-run event this year, that’s not the whole story. As the VPs for Digital Management (Gargi Kaur Bedi) and Business Analytics (Salma Khalaf), we worked hand-in-hand with the MSc Program Office throughout the entire process to bring this event to life. It was a true collaboration between students and staff, and we’re proud of what we were able to accomplish together.
We were originally part of a bigger organizing team, but once Scotiabank confirmed its sponsorship –offering prizes like summer project placements for the first-place winning team with $15,000 stipends – many of our team members decided to participate in the competition instead, which we totally understood. So, it ended up being just the two of us holding down the fort.
Still, we’re really proud of what we pulled off. We went from only three students signing up one week into registration, to 101 participants by the end of March. Here’s what it was like organizing one of the biggest student competitions of the year.
From zero to 101
We launched the competition sign-ups with a little anxiety – it was slow at first. But with persistent advertising through Instagram and WhatsApp, and a bit of word-of-mouth buzz, registrations took off. What started with just a handful of early sign-ups became a full house of 20 teams, including one undergraduate team and 19 graduate teams. That growth felt like a big win.
Wearing all the hats
Between the two of us, we ran the event’s Instagram page, managed the official Hack the Case email inbox, handled all communications with participants, and acted as the main bridge between the Program Office and the students. That meant answering a lot of last-minute questions, fielding concerns, and troubleshooting everything from data access issues to team reshuffles.
We also helped finalize logistics like email updates, SAS training instructions, and worked behind-the-scenes to ensure that everything ran smoothly – from the April 7 kickoff event to the final presentations on April 22.
Support from faculty and sponsors
One of the most rewarding moments was seeing our professors serve as preliminary judges. Associate Professor Derrick Neufeld, who taught the Data Management course for Business Analytics students this semester, and Associate Professor Mehmet Begen, who we had last semester for Art of Modelling, both stepped up to support the event. It was really special to see them engaging with students in a new way.
The involvement of Scotiabank and SAS as sponsors and mentors also made a huge difference. Their support elevated the entire competition and ensured we had the tools and resources we needed.
The talent blew us away
The final presentations were truly impressive. Each team brought a high level of quality and professionalism to the table. The teams that placed went above and beyond, showcasing thoughtful, creative recommendations that directly addressed the problem presented by our client. It was clear they had applied what they learned throughout the program, and their work reflected both insight and innovation.
Hack the Case wasn’t just a competition – it was an opportunity to think outside the box. With a one-paragraph case prompt, students were challenged to get creative, innovate, and make educated assumptions – just like in a real consulting project. The format encouraged out-of-the-box thinking and problem-solving under ambiguity. Our goal is to continue expanding Hack the Case in the coming years and create even more space for students to push boundaries and showcase their skills.
Lessons we'll take with us
Even though we didn’t compete, we learned so much. We learned how to lead under pressure, manage expectations, and keep things moving even when plans shifted so fast. We learned how much goes into pulling off an event like this – and how rewarding it is when it all comes together, especially when the partnerships made everything feel more meaningful.
What was the biggest lesson? You don’t need a big team to do big things — just a lot of heart, a solid spreadsheet (or five), and an inbox that’s always open.
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