Mark Your Calendar for the 2025 Student Case Competition!

Hosted annually, this engaging two-round virtual competition brings together Ontario’s top HR students to solve real-life business and HR challenges.

Competition Overview:
The competition will take place over two rounds:

  • Round 1: March 14, 2025
    Teams will receive an HR business case and have a few hours to analyze the situation, develop a strategy, and prepare a 15-minute presentation outlining their recommendations. A panel of judges, made up of senior HR professionals, will review and score the presentations.
  • Round 2: March 22, 2025
    The top teams from Round 1 will advance to the final round, where they’ll present their refined strategies to compete for first, second, and third-place prizes.

This year, we will only accept one (1) team per school, making spots limited—be sure to register early!

In addition to the competition, Day 2 will feature opportunities for contestants to:

  • Network with peers, senior HR professionals, and HRPA staff.
  • Engage with a special speaker (details to be announced in the new year).

Registration is now closed

Congratulations to the Winners!

HRPA proudly hosted its sixth annual Student Case Competition on March 14 and 22, 2025, our most expansive yet. A record-breaking 25 post-secondary institutions from across Ontario participated in this dynamic virtual event, reflecting the growing interest and value of this experiential learning opportunity.

On Day 1, student teams submitted recorded case presentations for evaluation by a panel of senior HR professionals. The top three teams—Niagara College, King’s University, and Durham College—were selected to advance to Day 2, where they delivered live presentations in front of the judging panel.

Day 2 also featured a compelling keynote session with Christian Saab, President of CPG Recruitment Inc., who presented “Incorporating AI in Recruitment Initiatives.” His session explored how AI is transforming recruitment processes by increasing efficiency, reducing bias, and enhancing the candidate experience—offering students valuable insights into the evolving future of HR.

Following the keynote, participants engaged in a virtual networking lunch, connecting with HR professionals including Lisa V Macdonald, CHRL (Inclusion Specialist, KEYS/Saint Lawrence College) and Chiara Ansell-Brawley, CHRL (Manager, Labour Relations and Recruitment, Brightshores Health System). Uber Eats vouchers were provided to support the virtual experience.

The event concluded with an exciting awards ceremony. Congratulations to our 2025 winners:

2025 student case competition winners from Niagara College

1st PlaceNiagara College (represented by Ella Leo, Ngoc Chau Anh Dao, Stacey Reist, Aiden Van Hooydonk)

2nd PlaceKing’s University (represented by Ainsley Roberts, Nicola Borowski, Aisha Williams, Vanessa Phou Lee)

3rd PlaceDurham College (represented by Lara Katrina Alcover, Lina Cardenas Marin, Monique Mcdonald)

A big round of applause to the deserving winners! A special thank you goes out to our esteemed panel of judges: Ilona Gonsalves, CHRL, Jonathan Ramoutar, CHRL, Josie Lee, CHRL, Oshin Soni, CHRL, and Zufar Akhunov, CHRL—your time, expertise, and thoughtful feedback made this event impactful for all participants.

We also extend a huge thank you to all attendees, including our dedicated students and faculty members, for contributing to this unforgettable event.

For upcoming student events, visit: www.hrpa.ca/hrpa-students/

Day 1: March 14

Please note that HRPA reserves the right to modify the event schedule.

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Day 1 welcome & opening remarks

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Case Competition begins: Case prep, presentation planning, and video recording 

12:00 PM – 12:15 PM | Submit Case presentation to HRPA. Closing remarks. See you on Day 2!

9:15 AM – 9:30 AM | Day 2 welcome & opening remarks. Top 3 teams are selected. 

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Top 3 selected teams prepare to present their solutions in front of the judges, while non-selected teams have the opportunity to tune into a keynote from our special guest speaker. 

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | It’s on! Selected teams’ case presentations begin. 

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Lunch & networking (open to all participants). Uber Eats vouchers will be given at this time. 

12:30 PM – 1:00 PM | We’ll wrap up the competition with an awards ceremony and closing remarks.

Day 1: March 14

Please note that HRPA reserves the right to modify the event schedule.

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Day 1 welcome & opening remarks

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Case Competition begins: Case prep, presentation planning, and video recording 

12:00 PM – 12:15 PM | Submit Case presentation to HRPA. Closing remarks. See you on Day 2!

9:15 AM – 9:30 AM | Day 2 welcome & opening remarks. Top 3 teams are selected. 

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Top 3 selected teams prepare to present their solutions in front of the judges, while non-selected teams have the opportunity to tune into a keynote from our special guest speaker. 

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | It’s on! Selected teams’ case presentations begin. 

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Lunch & networking (open to all participants). Uber Eats vouchers will be given at this time. 

12:30 PM – 1:00 PM | We’ll wrap up the competition with an awards ceremony and closing remarks.

Ilona Gonsalves
Ilona Gonsalves, CHRL

With over 20 years of experience as a senior HR Professional primarily in the financial services industry, Ilona is known to be a creative thinker with the ability to see things from different perspectives. This has been helpful through a career filled with non-traditional roles where charting new ground has been a regular occurrence. A Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL), Ilona has experienced the world of HR from the perspective of a large, established multi-national, as well as through the lens of a small and growing start-up operation.

Through her career, she has made conscious decisions to take on specific roles to build a strong foundation across various HR disciplines (talent acquisition, employee relations, employee communications, total rewards, mergers & acquisitions, labour relations and culture/employee engagement). Mostly recently, this has included a pivotal role in the Global Privacy Office at CIBC, where Ilona has experienced the legislative reform process and added risk and governance to her repertoire. Having previously served as a Judge in HRPA’s Student Case Competition, Ilona is thrilled to participate once again and continues to be impressed with the creativity and professionalism of the students!

Jonathan Ramoutar
Jonathan Ramoutar, CHRL

Jonathan Ramoutar (CHRL) is a strategic and results-driven Human Resources professional with over a decade of experience in recruitment, project coordination, and people strategy. He excels in driving organizational culture and fostering positive work environments, having worked in both unionized and non-unionized settings. Jonathan brings expertise in full-cycle recruitment, policy development, compensation management, collective agreements, and diversity and inclusion initiatives. He is adept at building strong relationships with hiring managers, executives, and talent pools, consistently meeting recruitment goals and enhancing the candidate experience.

Throughout his career, Jonathan has held key roles at organizations like ShipLake Properties, Toronto Transit Commission, Cushman & Wakefield, and Seneca College, where he led recruitment processes for diverse roles, developed talent pipelines, and improved HR efficiencies. Notably, he spearheaded the creation of employee resource groups and has a proven track record of reducing costs while increasing recruitment effectiveness.

Certified as a Diversity and Inclusion Practitioner and holding the CHRL designation, Jonathan is passionate about continuous learning and applying best practices to create fair, inclusive, and effective recruitment strategies. His leadership in HR metrics, employee relations, and training initiatives empowers organizations to build strong, high-performing teams that align with business goals. In addition to his HR expertise, Jonathan is also actively involved in his community and dedicated to fostering leadership development.

Josie Lee
Josie Lee, CHRL

Josie is an energetic Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL), with over 15 years of experience. As Director, HR Business Partner at CNA Insurance (Canada), she is responsible for all functional areas of HR. Prior to CNA, she worked at Deloitte and EY. With 20+ years of volunteering experience, Josie has had the opportunity to work with children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Josie graduated from Western University with a specialization in HR and French. She has her HRBP Certificate as well as The Osgoode Certificate in Advanced HR Law for Senior HR Executives.

Since joining the HRPA in 2009, she’s volunteered with the Relationship Management Committee, Mentoring Committee and was a member of the York Region Board of Directors. She was also the recipient of HRPA York Region’s 2014 Rising Star Award. Outside of HR, Josie is a part-time Real Estate Salesperson and also coaches martial arts to kids and teens.

Oshin Soni
Oshin Soni, CHRL

Oshin Soni is a seasoned HR professional with 15 years of experience across multiple industries, making her truly industry agnostic. Currently serving as an HR Manager at a management consulting firm, Oshin specializes in employment law, coaching senior leaders, employee relations, and benefits.

With a strategic mindset and a people-first approach, she brings a thoughtful perspective on people matters, ensuring that employees feel supported, valued, and set up for success. Passionate about workplace culture, Oshin thrives on creating environments where people love coming to work and can do their best.

Zufar Akhunov
Zufar Akhunov, CHRL

Zufar Akhunov, CHRL, is an accomplished Human Resources professional with over 20 years of experience driving organizational success through innovative HR strategies and leadership. Currently serving as Executive Director of Human Resources Consulting and Employee Experience at George Brown College, he leads the team of HR Consultants, Labour Relations and Health, Safety and Wellness, and fosters inclusive workplace cultures that empower teams to thrive.

Throughout his career, Zufar has led transformative initiatives in employee engagement, leadership development, and change management, contributing to improved retention, productivity, and overall business performance. A trusted advisor to senior leadership, Zufar combines strategic thinking with a people-first approach, ensuring HR remains a key partner in achieving organizational goals.

Passionate about mentoring future HR leaders, Zufar is also a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Ilona Gonsalves
Ilona Gonsalves, CHRL

With over 20 years of experience as a senior HR Professional primarily in the financial services industry, Ilona is known to be a creative thinker with the ability to see things from different perspectives. This has been helpful through a career filled with non-traditional roles where charting new ground has been a regular occurrence. A Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL), Ilona has experienced the world of HR from the perspective of a large, established multi-national, as well as through the lens of a small and growing start-up operation.

Through her career, she has made conscious decisions to take on specific roles to build a strong foundation across various HR disciplines (talent acquisition, employee relations, employee communications, total rewards, mergers & acquisitions, labour relations and culture/employee engagement). Mostly recently, this has included a pivotal role in the Global Privacy Office at CIBC, where Ilona has experienced the legislative reform process and added risk and governance to her repertoire. Having previously served as a Judge in HRPA’s Student Case Competition, Ilona is thrilled to participate once again and continues to be impressed with the creativity and professionalism of the students!

Jonathan Ramoutar
Jonathan Ramoutar, CHRL

Jonathan Ramoutar (CHRL) is a strategic and results-driven Human Resources professional with over a decade of experience in recruitment, project coordination, and people strategy. He excels in driving organizational culture and fostering positive work environments, having worked in both unionized and non-unionized settings. Jonathan brings expertise in full-cycle recruitment, policy development, compensation management, collective agreements, and diversity and inclusion initiatives. He is adept at building strong relationships with hiring managers, executives, and talent pools, consistently meeting recruitment goals and enhancing the candidate experience.

Throughout his career, Jonathan has held key roles at organizations like ShipLake Properties, Toronto Transit Commission, Cushman & Wakefield, and Seneca College, where he led recruitment processes for diverse roles, developed talent pipelines, and improved HR efficiencies. Notably, he spearheaded the creation of employee resource groups and has a proven track record of reducing costs while increasing recruitment effectiveness.

Certified as a Diversity and Inclusion Practitioner and holding the CHRL designation, Jonathan is passionate about continuous learning and applying best practices to create fair, inclusive, and effective recruitment strategies. His leadership in HR metrics, employee relations, and training initiatives empowers organizations to build strong, high-performing teams that align with business goals. In addition to his HR expertise, Jonathan is also actively involved in his community and dedicated to fostering leadership development.

Josie Lee
Josie Lee, CHRL

Josie is an energetic Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL), with over 15 years of experience. As Director, HR Business Partner at CNA Insurance (Canada), she is responsible for all functional areas of HR. Prior to CNA, she worked at Deloitte and EY. With 20+ years of volunteering experience, Josie has had the opportunity to work with children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Josie graduated from Western University with a specialization in HR and French. She has her HRBP Certificate as well as The Osgoode Certificate in Advanced HR Law for Senior HR Executives.

Since joining the HRPA in 2009, she’s volunteered with the Relationship Management Committee, Mentoring Committee and was a member of the York Region Board of Directors. She was also the recipient of HRPA York Region’s 2014 Rising Star Award. Outside of HR, Josie is a part-time Real Estate Salesperson and also coaches martial arts to kids and teens.

Oshin Soni
Oshin Soni, CHRL

Oshin Soni is a seasoned HR professional with 15 years of experience across multiple industries, making her truly industry agnostic. Currently serving as an HR Manager at a management consulting firm, Oshin specializes in employment law, coaching senior leaders, employee relations, and benefits.

With a strategic mindset and a people-first approach, she brings a thoughtful perspective on people matters, ensuring that employees feel supported, valued, and set up for success. Passionate about workplace culture, Oshin thrives on creating environments where people love coming to work and can do their best.

Zufar Akhunov
Zufar Akhunov, CHRL

Zufar Akhunov, CHRL, is an accomplished Human Resources professional with over 20 years of experience driving organizational success through innovative HR strategies and leadership. Currently serving as Executive Director of Human Resources Consulting and Employee Experience at George Brown College, he leads the team of HR Consultants, Labour Relations and Health, Safety and Wellness, and fosters inclusive workplace cultures that empower teams to thrive.

Throughout his career, Zufar has led transformative initiatives in employee engagement, leadership development, and change management, contributing to improved retention, productivity, and overall business performance. A trusted advisor to senior leadership, Zufar combines strategic thinking with a people-first approach, ensuring HR remains a key partner in achieving organizational goals.

Passionate about mentoring future HR leaders, Zufar is also a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

The Student Case Competition is open to all post-secondary HR students. This includes students working towards a:

  • Diploma
  • Undergraduate degree
  • Master’s degree
  • Postgraduate degree
  • One team per school


Both HRPA student members and non-members can enter the competition.


Deadline to register your team is March 3, 2025


Step 1: Gather Your Case Competition Team! Each campus of any university/college across Ontario is eligible to enter up to one (1) team compromised of three (3) to five (5) post-secondary HR students per team. All post-secondary HR students can participate. See Eligibility Criteria tab for more details.

Step 2: Get a Team Coach! Teams must register a faculty member as a Team Coach to participate. As a Team Coach, you’ll get to support your team before the big day so that your students are competition-ready. One Team Coach per Case Competition team. (In other words, a Team Coach cannot represent more than one team.)

Step 3: Register!

A case will be chosen by HRPA and will be revealed to the participating teams on Day 1 of the competition. Teams will be given 2 hours to read, analyze the case, develop a strategy, and create a PowerPoint presentation with answers to the questions. Each team will record a 15 minute video during the 2-hour window.

Each team will record their presentations to be scored based on pre-determined evaluation criteria. Each team member must speak during the recording of their presentation, and if selected as a top 3 team, must speak during the final round, on Day 2, in front of the judges. Teams are encouraged to be creative, organized and use strategic thinking. 

Prizes:

The top three teams, with the strongest presentations, will be awarded first, second, and third place prizes.

  • The 1st place winning team will receive a $200 gift card per student
  • The 2nd place winning team will receive a $150 gift card per student
  • The 3rd place winning team will receive a $100 gift card per student.

  • Apply your classroom knowledge to a real-life business scenario
  • Upgrade your resume with impressive and relevant experiences
  • Get valuable, constructive feedback directly from a panel of Senior HR Professionals
  • The chance to win a gift card of up to $200!
  • Build your confidence in the field of HR
  • Expand your HR network
  • Have fun!

Participating Schools

The HRPA Student Case Competition participating schools logos