It didn’t take long for Marisa Grundling to get responses to her email asking for students interested in taking part in the Spencer-RIMS Risk Management Challenge. Nicole Stow, Prudence Mbatha, Nobuhle Moyo and Matthew Vagle quickly put up their hands and just like that — the Risk Avengers were formed.
Team captain Nicole, Nobuhle, Prudence and Matthew are Milpark’s first ever entry into the Spencer-RIMS Challenge, a competition that has seen 38 teams from nine countries write risk reports based on the given case study consisting of thousands of pages about the municipality of Tukwila, Washington. In May they’ll be presenting their work at the RISKWORLD Conference in California. For all the team except Nicole, it’s the first time they’re heading to the United States. They’re excited – and they deserve to br.
“They’ve worked so hard,” says Marisa. “I was blown away at what they’d achieved. I can’t believe it’s the first time they’ve worked together.”
The team put in a lot of effort to make sure everything went smoothly, organising Teams calls around full-time jobs, families, studies and hobbies. They delegated particular roles for each team member, and each had their role to play. For instance, Nobuhle has been practicing from 21:00 to 22:00 every night for her big presentation in May!
Marisa too, had to find time to help the team. “I only had a one-hour break between grads recently,” says Marisa. “I quickly called up the Risk Avengers to come do their presentation for me and… once again, I was blown away! They’re utterly professional – this is going to open so many doors for them.”
For Nobuhle and Prudence, the opportunities that arise may be roles they’re familiar with – both work in risk and are studying Risk and Compliance. Matthew and Nicole, however, both work in insurance and, for them, this is exciting new territory even though there is so much overlap on the areas of study.
“After I complete my Short-Term Insurance degree, I’m definitely going to study the new Post Graduate Diploma in Risk Management,” Nicole says. “I think it’s so interesting how interwoven risk is with our everyday lives. No matter what we’re doing, there’s risk.”
For the team, entering the competition was a risk in itself. It took energy, time, and a lot of focus. But the Risk Avengers are clearly adept at handling risk – especially how to mitigate and navigate it, optimising it to achieve optimal outcomes. Right now, they’re close to one of those outcomes.
Support for the Risk Avengers has come from all. Milpark’s own Dr Jane Usher of the MBA and DBA programmes listened to the presentation and had a message for the team, “Have a fabulous time in America and all the best – the group is awesome and will bring back first prize!”
Marisa adds, “I just want them to enjoy the experience. This is going to give them so many opportunities. They’re going to connect with so many experts in risk in May.”
The team members are excited about this too, each saying how thrilled they are at the prospect. Not to mention to be able to meet people whose articles they’ve only read on LinkedIn!
“No matter what happens, I’m extremely proud of the team,” says Marisa. “They’ve really put Milpark’s Risk and Management Department on the map internationally. I know they’re going to do amazing things.”
