Spring 2025 Team Challenge Team Lead Fellow Feature

March 31, 2025

Every semester, BLF Fellows collaborate in small groups to tackle a complex, real-world challenge for a partner organization. At the forefront of each team is a Team Lead—a Fellow who coordinates schedules, strategies, and motivations to keep the group on track. They:

1. Unite diverse skills across team members.

2. Facilitate communication to ensure every voice is heard.

3. Drive project momentum so the final presentation benefits both the team’s learning and the partner organization’s needs.

These student leaders serve as catalysts for creativity and collaboration, ensuring that each team member’s strengths contribute to innovative solutions.

1. Trey Worthen (BLF 2027)

• Q1. What excites you most about leading a team this semester?
  A: “I’m excited to learn more about my team and utilize their respective strengths.”

• Q2. What unique challenges do you anticipate, and how will you overcome them?
  A: “One challenge I anticipate is making sure everyone’s unique voice is heard. To overcome this, I’ll facilitate structured discussions and keep us aligned on goals and deadlines.”

• Q3. How will you foster teamwork and communication?
  A: “So far, my group has made it easy. If participation declines, I’ll reach out to members who seem less engaged. I want everyone to feel comfortable contributing.”

• Q4. Which leadership qualities are most critical for success?
  A: “Composure and decisiveness—being a calm presence when problems arise, and making confident decisions.”

2. Monica Paredes (BLF 2026)

• Q1. What excites you most about leading a team this semester?
  A: “Consulting felt out of my scope at first, but now it’s my favorite aspect of BLF. I love how interdisciplinary work makes our presentations stronger.”

• Q2. Unique challenges & solutions?
  A: “Coordinating everyone’s ideas can be tricky. We’ll work through it by combining resources, supporting one another, and staying on the same page.”

• Q3. Fostering teamwork & communication?
  A: “I plan on organizing recurring meetings, delegating tasks based on strengths, and ensuring everyone feels heard in every session.”

• Q4. Most critical leadership qualities?
  A: “Open-mindedness—recognizing the value in every idea and incorporating the best of all perspectives.”

• Q5. How does this differ from previous years?
  A: “We’ve gained over a year of consulting knowledge and feedback. It will be tougher this time, but we’re better equipped to handle it!”

3. Colson Bunch (BLF 2027)

• Q1. Most exciting part about leading?
  A: “Bringing everyone together for possibly their first case competition and helping us form a solid bond in the process.”

• Q2. Unique challenges & solutions?
  A: “Different work styles might clash. We’ll overcome this by building enough trust to comfortably discuss and resolve conflicting opinions.”

• Q3. Fostering teamwork?
  A: “My plan is to create a close-knit group—lunches, study sessions, hangouts—so we’re comfortable relying on one another.”

• Q4. Critical leadership qualities?
  A: “Confidence and calmness. If the leader is panicked, it affects the whole team, so staying collected is key.”

4. Connor Pletikapich (BLF 2026)

• Q1. What excites you most?
  A: “Collaborating with new Fellows who bring diverse perspectives and refining my leadership approach through their feedback.”

• Q2. Expected challenges & how to overcome them?
  A: “We may work with limited info or complex topics. Strong communication—both within the team and with the client—will keep us on track.”

• Q3. Fostering teamwork & communication?
  A: “Building trust is paramount. Understanding each teammate’s strengths, weaknesses, and styles helps us work seamlessly.”

• Q4. Critical leadership qualities?
  A: “Servant leadership—putting my team’s needs first so everyone feels empowered to contribute.”

• Q5. How does this differ from previous challenges?
  A: “This is our final BLF team challenge. We have two prior experiences that boost our confidence and set high expectations to finish strong.”

5. Advaith “Addy” Prasanna (BLF 2026)

• Q1. Excitement about leading?
  A: “In past challenges, great leaders made the experience truly enjoyable. I’m excited to provide that same environment.”

• Q2. Challenges & solutions?
  A: “We’re a diverse, motivated group, so ideas might conflict. I plan on blending them through discussion, finding ways to connect overlapping insights.”

• Q3. Fostering teamwork?
  A: “I prefer a relaxed but focused atmosphere, letting each person work in a way that feels natural while I keep everything coordinated.”

• Q4. Critical leadership qualities?
  A: “Recognizing each individual’s strengths so their contributions are highlighted—this keeps everyone motivated.”

• Q5. Differences from previous years?
  A: “We’ve grown from prior challenges, so I expect us to demonstrate that growth as we tackle our final competition.”

6. Music Thornton (BLF 2026)

• Q1. What excites you most?
  A: “Seeing everyone showcase their skills and push each other outside comfort zones, resulting in a stronger overall presentation.”

• Q2. Anticipated challenges?
  A: “We all have strong personalities as leaders. We need to ensure each person’s style is utilized without overshadowing others.”

• Q3. Fostering communication?
  A: “Regular meetings, letting teammates pick the parts they’re most passionate about, and weaving all ideas into one cohesive whole.”

• Q4. Leadership qualities?
  A: “Help others believe in their best selves. Personal connection is key—when everyone feels seen, they perform better.”

• Q5. Differences from previous years?
  A: “This semester, BLF ’26 is traveling internationally, which will strengthen our bonds. We know each other well, so I’m expecting higher-level presentations.”

7. Mar’Kia Williams (BLF 2026)

• Q1. What excites you most?
  A: “Leading a diverse team where everyone’s unique perspective contributes to fresh ideas and creative solutions.”

• Q2. Anticipated challenges & solutions?
  A: “Balancing differing work styles can be tough—some value consensus, others efficiency. We’ll use open discussions, patience, and clear expectations to find harmony.”

• Q3. Teamwork & communication plan?
  A: “Structured yet flexible approaches: regular check-ins, collaborative brainstorming, and early, transparent feedback loops.”

• Q4. Crucial leadership qualities?
  A: “Adaptability, active listening, inclusivity, and compassion. Keeping the team supported and recognized fosters the best results.”

8. David A. Smith II (BLF 2026)

• Q1. Excitement about leading?
  A: “Bringing together different skill sets to solve a real-world problem is motivating, especially knowing it can help a real company.”

• Q2. Challenges & how to handle them?
  A: “Figuring out everyone’s strengths and how to best use them. Staying organized and ensuring everyone knows their role will be key.”

• Q3. Fostering teamwork?
  A: “Weekly check-ins to maintain consistent contact and progress. Consistency is essential for a successful team.”

• Q4. Critical leadership qualities?
  A: “Listening, compassion, and hard work—leading by example and supporting teammates’ schedules and needs.”

9. Caroline McCoy (BLF 2026)

• Q1. Most exciting part of leading?
  A: “Testing all the new skills I’ve learned in BLF and guiding a real consulting project.”

• Q2. Challenges & solutions?
  A: “We have a member studying abroad, making scheduling tough. Clear, efficient delegation will keep us on track.”

• Q3. Fostering teamwork & communication?
  A: “Adaptability in scheduling. We decide meeting times each week and do frequent check-ins, giving everyone a voice.”

• Q4. Important leadership qualities?
  A: “Patience and empathy—allowing people to work in their areas of strength and feeling understood.”

• Q5. Differences from previous challenges?
  A: “We drafted teams based on our weaknesses, ensuring we stretch ourselves. I feel more confident after experiencing earlier challenges.”
  
  

10. Peyton Bakonyi (BLF 2027)

• Q1. What excites you most about leading a team?
  A: “This is my first time consulting, so I’m eager to learn alongside my team.”

• Q2. Anticipated challenges?
  A: “We have six very talented people with strong ideas. Conflict is inevitable, but we’ll listen to understand, not just to debate.”

• Q3. Teamwork & communication?
  A: “I’ll ensure each member fully discusses their ideas. People commit more when they feel heard and respected.”

• Q4. Key leadership qualities?
  A: “Humility and goal-orientation. I’m not the expert in everything, so I’ll step back when necessary and keep us focused on the end goal.”

11. Hamsika Arnipalli (BLF 2026)

• Q1. What excites you about being Team Lead?
  A: “Collaborating with cohort members I haven’t worked with before and seeing how our varied strengths fit together.”

• Q2. Challenges & how to overcome them?
  A: “Many of us share similar weaknesses. We’ll address that by being honest, talking about them early, and finding collective ways to improve.”

• Q3. Plan for fostering teamwork?
  A: “Encouraging transparent discussions. When everyone feels safe sharing concerns or new ideas, we build trust that leads to effective collaboration.”

• Q4. Most crucial leadership qualities?
  A: “Adaptability—recognizing different work styles and meeting people where they are.”

• Q5. Differences from prior challenges?
  A: “This is our final competition, so we’re applying everything we’ve learned to become the best versions of ourselves.”