First Place Winner - Cornell University

Cornell University earned first place in the 2026 National Ethics Case Competition, winning a $120,000 prize package for the team, advisor, and university. The winning team included Ethan Davis, Nayancie Matthews, Siva Selvam, Abdulwahab Alhaji, and Daniel Ribeiro Dos Anjos.

More than a competition, NECC is designed to prepare students for the kinds of decisions they will face as future leaders: decisions that require courage, clarity, accountability, and the ability to weigh competing responsibilities under pressure. By bringing students together with experienced executives, educators, and civic leaders, the competition creates a national forum for developing principled leadership at a time when ethical decision-making matters more than ever.

Led by Texas A&M University in founding partnership with the Daniels Fund, the 2026 National Ethics Case Competition awarded a total of $250,000 in prizes to top-performing teams, their advisors, and participating institutions.

Held in Washington, D.C., the competition brought together 18 teams from universities across the country for the semifinal round at the Bush School of Government and Public Service. Teams analyzed complex, real-world business and ethical challenges, advancing through multiple rounds before five finalist teams competed in the championship round at The Mayflower Hotel.

Congratulations to the 2026 winners and to every student, advisor, judge, and institution that helped make this year’s competition a powerful showcase of principled leadership, ethical reasoning, and thoughtful engagement with the challenges facing business and society.