The 2025 Kelley Challenge, wrapped up with an exciting capstone event on the IU Indianapolis campus, showcasing the creativity, confidence, and business savvy of participating high school students. 
This year’s Challenge brought together 18 teams from Ben Davis High School and the McKenzie Center for Innovation & Technology (representing Lawrence North and Lawrence Central high schools), that took on a real-world corporate case developed by Rolls-Royce. The task: decide whether a key component should be manufactured in-house or outsourced—analyzing the decision through the lens of supply chain logistics, cost efficiency, scalability, and quality control.
Rachel Jones, partner and educator at Ben Davis High School celebrated “noticeable growth in students’ public speaking and communication skills and a powerful chance to engage directly with business professionals and learn from real-world insights.”
The culminating event featured polished team presentations, a networking session with professionals from OneAmerica and Rolls-Royce, and a celebratory luncheon. Congratulations to this year’s winners:
First Place: Think Tank; Ben Davis High School
Second Place: McKenzie Center
Over the four-week program, students build critical business skills, gain exposure to workplace expectations, and forge connections with Indiana-based employers. Nearly 70% of Kelley Challenge alumni over the past three years have reported discovering new career interests because of the program.
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated alumni and Rolls-Royce professionals for their mentorship, guidance, and insight. We’re also grateful to Rachel Jones (Ben Davis) and Brandon Shipp (McKenzie Center) for preparing their students so thoroughly.
The Kelley Challenge exemplifies the Kelley School of Business’s commitment to preparing the next generation of leaders—equipping students with the tools, confidence, and professional exposure they need to thrive in a global economy.
Want to learn more or get involved? Visit: Kelley Challenge Program or contact us at ksbcorp@iu.edu
