Â鶹´«Ã½

Ìý

For Ethan Arbiser,Ìýthe Leeds Sustainability Case Competition (LSCC) offered more than an opportunity to tackle a real-world business challenge. It helped him build professional connections and develop skills he now uses in his career.

In 2025, Arbiser competed on a third-place team from Emory University's Goizueta Business School. Now, he's returning as a board member atÌýthis year's title sponsor, the .

Where Business Meets Sustainability

Looking back on the competition, Arbiser highlighted the importance of connecting sustainability with broader business strategy.Ìý

"Rather than treating sustainability as an isolated initiative, our team had to solve the fundamental business challenge outlined in the case through risk mitigation, operational efficiency, and bottom-line performance," Arbiser explained.

Working alongside teammates with backgrounds in engineering, research, and program management, Arbiser helped turn complex challenges into a unified business strategy.

Today, Arbiser works at a global leader in commercial real estate services, where he leads decarbonization pathways, manages analytical and building intelligence programs, and drives cost-reduction strategies across a global real estate portfolio.

"Whether interacting with technical facility building technicians or senior real estate executives, LSCC helped me fine-tune the ability to package complex operational data into compelling, audience-appropriate business solutions, a skillset I rely on every day."

Connections That Last

Beyond the case itself, LSCC connected Arbiser with MBA students, industry judges, and corporate partners from across the country.

"Some of those initial connections developed into ongoing professional relationships, allowing me to maintain a network of business leaders who acknowledge sustainability as a strategic element of their operation," he shared.

Returning with a New Perspective

Now returning through REEF, Arbiser sees another side of the competition's value: the opportunity to engage emerging business leaders in solving pressing sustainability challenges.

"Returning to LSCC as a title sponsor through the Refrigerant Emissions Elimination Forum (REEF) offers an incredibly valuable perspective, starting with the opportunity to gain fresh, uninhibited insights and innovative solutions from the next generation of business leaders," he explained.

Advice for Future Competitors

For MBA students considering LSCC, Arbiser emphasizes the value of applying classroom knowledge to the challenges businesses face today.

"Rather than viewing sustainability as a separate compliance function, the competition forces you to apply core MBA tools like financial modeling, operations management, market analysis, and strategic differentiation to tackle high-stakes challenges that major corporations face today."

Reflecting on his experience, Arbiser called LSCC "easily one of the most valuable experiences of my MBA career at Emory."

Ready to turn your MBA skills into real-world impact?Ìý

Ìý

Team registration is open through December 1st.Ìý

Save 25% through November 1st with code: LSCCEARLY

Ìý

Learn more about theÌýLeeds Sustainability Case Competition (LSCC) and how to participate.

Ìý