Students from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater’s College of Business and Economics (CoBE) DECA Chapter had very successful results at the 2026 International Career Development Conference (ICDC), including winning a National Championship in International Marketing.
The Collegiate DECA ICDC brings together 1,200 Collegiate DECA members to engage in competitive events, professional development academies, networking and more. This year’s conference was held from April 18-21 in Louisville, KY and 25 students represented UW-Whitewater at the international stage.
The UWW chapter walked away with 70 individual/team awards from the conference, including a number of students/student teams who made it to event finals, and several students who placed in the top three of their events. Below is a rundown of the finalists from UWW and a few select team honors.
Chapter Honors
UW-Whitewater was recognized as having the sixth largest Collegiate DECA chapter in the country.
Student Honors
International Marketing, 1st Place, Team of Shalomi Sahabandhu (Senior, Accounting BBA) and Carla Martinez-Falero Gestoso (International Student)
Professional Sales, 2nd Place, Caden Boehnen (Senior, Entrepreneurship BBA)
Sales Management & Leadership, 2nd Place, Caden Boehnen
Advertising Campaign, 3rd Place, Team of Tamber Pelischek (Senior, Accounting BBA), Mady Lockman (Junior, Accounting BBA), and Ella Duckworth (Senior, Accounting BBA, Finance 2nd)
Human Resources, Top 10, Ellie Goeden (Junior, Accounting BBA)
Retail Management, Top 10, Tiana Heitmann (Junior, Finance BBA, Entrepreneurship 2nd)
Financial Statement Analysis, Top 10, Team of Hayden Itzenheiser (Junior, Associate of Arts Collaborative) and Shalomi Sahabandhu, Team of Ellie Goeden and Tiana Heitmann
Hotel & Lodging, Top 10, Rylee Monroe (Sophomore, Political Science BS)
Travel & Tourism, Top 10, Megan Hermes (Senior, Accounting BBA, Finance 2nd)
Digital Marketing Strategies, Top 10, Anna Quartucci (Senior, Communication BA), George Zimbric (Junior, Marketing BBA, Finance 2nd), Team of Evan Kraucyk (Junior, Marketing BBA) and Caillean Braatz (Sophomore, Communication BA)
Marketing Management, Top 10, Andrew Fictum (Sophomore, Business Education BSE)
Business Ethics, Top 12, Team of Sarah Arndt (Senior, Finance BBA) and Janvi Chauhan (Junior, Finance BBA)
Entertainment Marketing, Top 12, Team of Evan Kraucyk and Caillean Braatz
These accomplishments demonstrate the impact of experiential learning and the exceptional talent of the students who engage in it. The results reflect both individual excellence and the College of Business and Economics’ commitment to providing hands-on educational experiences that support student success and future career readiness.
About UWW DECA
UW–Whitewater’s Collegiate DECA chapter prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management at both the high school and collegiate levels around the globe. Members compete to solve real-world business problems, volunteer their time to serve the local community, and engage with students across campus to build new relationships and professional networks. Learn more at uwwdeca.com/.
More about the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics (CoBE)
Wisconsin’s largest business college, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics, is home to the #1 ranked online Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program in the State, of single schools. The College of Business and Economics offers a rich breadth of co-curricular activities to enhance student development and learning outcomes. CoBE is in the top 1% of the world’s business schools, earning both AACSB and AACSB Accounting Accreditation (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). For more information on the College of Business and Economics, visit uww.edu/cobe or email cobe@uww.edu.
Above: The UW-Whitewater DECA Chapter smiles with their trophies at the 2026 International Career Development Conference in Louisville, KY.
Above: Shalomi Sahabandhu and Carla Martinez-Falero Gestoso pose with their 1st Place International Marketing trophy at the 2026 International Career Development Conference in Louisville, KY.
