Gabelli School Undergraduate Students Win Top Awards at Future Business Leaders of America Competitions

Undergraduate | Jun 17, 2025 | Gabelli School of Business

Fordham University is the Newest New York/New Jersey Chapter of the National Organization, Growing the Club’s Impact at the Collegiate Level

For many students, high school clubs come and go—but for some, they spark something greater. Eva Amin and Juliette Racht, two Gabelli School of Business students who found a passion for business through the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) in high school, are continuing the transformative and inspiring experience by establishing a chapter of the organization at Fordham and serving as the club’s president and vice president, respectively. They, along with other chapter members, won accolades at both the 2025 New Jersey/New York Collegiate State Leadership Conference, held on April 5 at Kean University in Union, NJ and National Leadership Conference from May 29 – June 2 in Dallas, Texas. The National Conference attracted more than 890 students from nearly 150 schools in 27 U.S. states and territories who competed in 38 business-related events and engaged in 60 learning workshops.

Eva Amin

Amin, a B.S. in marketing student at the Gabelli School, is from Thornton, Colorado, where she participated in FBLA and qualified for nationals while in high school. “FBLA was my first real look into the business world,” she shared. “From competitions and workshops to meeting people from all over the world, it gave me the foundation and confidence to decide to pursue a career in business.” She won the first-place award in the Public Speaking category at the State Leadership Conference and second place at the National Conference.

Racht, from Scranton, PA, is a B.S. in business administration with a concentration in economics student who placed fourth in the Foundations of Entrepreneurship competition at the State Leadership Conference. “There’s so much flexibility,” she commented. “You can compete alone or with a team. If public speaking isn’t your thing, you can take a test. If you’re more comfortable working in a group, some events let up to six people compete together. It really meets you where you are.”

In addition to the individual awards, Fordham won the Community Service Project event, led by Fordham College at Rose Hill undergraduate students Trisha Bhanot, a biology major in the Pre-Dental program and Sreya Chadalavada, a pre-medical major with a concentration in molecular neuroscience in the Integrative Neuroscience program.

FBLA is growing into an impactful organization at collegiate level with around 50 different competitions ranging from mock interviews and IT events to community service initiatives and public speaking. The club’s primary focus is skill-building and career preparation, especially in the fall, leading up to state and national competitions in the spring. Members develop communication, critical thinking, and presentation skills through hands-on activities and event prep. “It’s also a low-risk way to explore different areas of business. You can test out fields like marketing, finance, or entrepreneurship before committing to one,” Amin added.

Juliette Racht (r) with an FBLA judge

Looking ahead, the Fordham club’s goal is to grow and become one of the top collegiate FBLA chapters in the nation. Recruiting will focus heavily on freshmen and sophomores, and Amin and Racht will plan outreach events to help elevate the club’s visibility when the incoming freshman class arrives on campus. Bill Sickles, senior lecturer for The Ground Floor Course and faculty advisor at the Gabelli School, added, “I’m thrilled that we now have a Future Business Leaders of America chapter at Fordham, and to have our students compete in the FBLA National Leadership Conference. We are excited to have them join our FBLA chapter.”

Beyond competitions, FBLA is also hoping to expand its community engagement by partnering with local Bronx organizations and other Fordham initiatives. The FBLA offers opportunities for leadership and professional networking that extend beyond college, with access to mentors, recruiters, and even real-world startup challenges.

“FBLA isn’t just about competing,” Amin emphasized. “It’s about connecting. We’ve built real friendships. We travel together, support each other, and have fun while learning. It’s a club that thrives on teamwork and growth.”

Students across Fordham who are interested in joining or learning more are encouraged to reach out now and register their interest ahead of the fall semester. Meetings will begin early in the school year, and participation in the fall is key for those looking to compete in the spring. Information will also be available at the club fair in September.

“FBLA really gives you the chance to become your best self—professionally and personally. And honestly, it’s just a lot of fun,” Racht concluded.

If you are a Fordham undergraduate student interested in joining the club, please reach out to Eva Amin at eamin2@fordham.edu or Juliette Racht at jmr9@fordham.edu.

Written by: Michelle Livingston, associate director of communications, Fordham University Gabelli School of Business