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WINGS OF EXCELLENCE – The essay competition for the St. Gallen Wings of Excellence Award is one of the world’s most prestigious and competitive. To defend their ideas on this year’s topic “What are alternatives to economic growth?” the six finalists had to step up on the big stage for the first time in the award’s history.
THE BEST IDEAS TAKE FLIGHT
SUSANN EBERLEIN (TEXT), DANIEL KINDSTRAND (PHOTOS)
their ideas against the tricky questions posed by an expert panel consisting of Marcela Escobari (US), Executive Director at the Center for International Development at Harvard University, Thebe Ikalafeng (ZA), Group CEO of Brand Leadership and Clare Woodcraft-Scott (GB), CEO of the Emirates Foundation. “I was very nervous, but I was also glad to have had the opportunity to perform on stage,” Ettlin said. The Ph.D. candidate in business at the University of St. Gallen made it to second place with her thoughts on how cooperatives can foster common growth. “The appeal of the cooperative model lies in its ability to counteract the current market dynamic that the American economist Sherwin Rosen has called the superstar effect: winner takes it all, loser leaves all,” Ettlin explained. For her, cooperatives have many advantages, such as less pressure on managers for shortterm profit optimisation or shifting the approach away from a capitalistic frame. Having the spotlight on her was a completely different experience. Originally, she just participated in the essay competition to be able to take part in the symposium, next to the 100 hand-picked Leaders of Tomorrow. “But then I got an email
saying that I made it to the top 21,” Ettlin says. “That was unexpected, but the unexpected surprises are the nicest in life.” Third place went to Colin Miller, a student at New York University, pursuing a Master’s degree in business administration and in public administration. For him, growth with purpose is very important. “Growth should not be an ultimate goal, but a tool to achieve development outcomes,” he said. Taking that into account, growth could help to reduce poverty and improve life. For Miller, not only the six finalists on stage, but also the 21 semi-finalists are winners. “I feel proud and humbled to have been able to meet and discuss with them,” he said. “I have very huge respect for all their ideas”. He even considered sharing his prize money. Treating her friends to a nice restaurant meal was Labitsch’s way to share her welldeserved money. What is left over will help her to finance her second year at university. “That is a very great help,” she said. u
SCHIMA LABITSCH (AT) FORDHAM UNIVERSITY
ALEXANDRA ETTLIN (CH) UNIVERSITY OF ST. GALLEN
COLIN MILLER (US) NEW YORK UNIVERSITY