Judges & Mentors

The 2026 WMGIC x PIT-UN Tech for Change Hackathon will take place on April 9–10, 2026.

Judges & Mentors

Judges and mentors are our invaluable assets. As professionals in the real world, our judges and mentors bring their diverse perspectives and experiences to the competition, and help our participants further consider the feasibility, creativity, and other aspects of their proposal. Every year, our participants gain insightful feedback when interacting with the judges and mentors, and our judges and mentors also obtain valuable experience while they volunteer their time to inspire the next generation of international leaders. WMGIC also connects them with like minded-professionals in their fields throughout the event as they support the emerging talents.

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Judges are our evaluators. Being a judge is a unique opportunity to interact with the next generation of global leaders and problem solvers. As a judge, you will listen to teams of participants presenting their innovative solution to the existing issue. A judge asks valuable questions that help them further consider the feasibility, creativity, and other aspects of their proposal. Then, you will draw on your expertise to assess the team’s efforts using a set criteria, ultimately declaring a winner. You encourage these bright, creative, and intelligent undergraduate students, while getting inspiration from their passion and innovative mindsets. Maybe there is an idea you can put into practice, with attribution of course. You may even be their light in the tunnel, inspiring them to continue in this field.

Listen to approximately an entire streams’ final presentations on Zoom.
- Participants will be arranged into several streams during the competition this year. Each stream represents a realm that needs innovative solutions..
Ask teams valuable questions that help them further consider the feasibility, creativity, and other aspects of their proposal.
Assess the team’s efforts using a set criteria including sustainability, fiscal pragmatism, and creativity, among others.
Discuss with the other judges in the stream to declare a stream winner.

3:00 - 5:30pm ET on April 10, 2026

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Mentors are our expert coaches who share their diverse perspectives and experiences with students. Over the course of the event, a mentor will spend approximately 15 minutes with each student team, listening to their pitch and then providing feedback before rotating to the next cohort. A mentor will meet with teams to aid in their development of a solution to this challenge’s case topic. The experience you impart on them as a mentor is crucial in their understanding of the field and in their final presentation. A mentor is not the authority on everything – you will speak to what you know and where you feel you can provide value. You will encourage these bright, creative, and intelligent undergraduate students, while giving constructive critiques and points they may wish to consider. The role of a mentor is an existing way to engage and shape incredible young leaders who may one day be alongside you.

Listen to teams from the same stream on Zoom to aid in their development of a solution to this challenge's case topic.
- Participants will be arranged into several streams during the competition this year. Each stream represents a realm that needs innovative solutions.
Spend approximately 30 minutes (within 2 rounds) with each student team, listen to their pitch and provide feedback before rotating to the next cohort.

12:00 - 3:00pm ET on April 10, 2026.

Judge & Mentor Workshop

Eileen Ackley (Director, External Relations, WMGIC) and Demetri Tymchynyuk (Associate Director, External Relations, WMGIC) lead a previously recorded workshop for mentors and judges of the 2026 WMGIC x PIT-UN Tech for Change Hackathon.

This workshop covers the competition schedule, judge and mentors expectations, and the judging rubric.

Judge Testimony

"WMGIC is a place to see bright minds tackle wicked problems with creativity, empathy, and wit. I consistently leave WMGIC inspired by the talent, hard work, and passion of the participants."

- Meredith Perry (USAID)
WMGIC I, II, IV, V, VI, & VII Judge

Mentor Testimony

"As a development professional who works at the intersection of innovation and social impact financing for some of our world's biggest development challenges, I am continually blown away by the level of professionalism, informed and thoughtful problem-solving, and the creative and implementable solutions that the students at WMGIC come up with and present each year."

- Heather Lane Chauny
WMGIC III, IV & V Mentor

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Judges & Mentors

Judges

What does it mean to be a judge?

Judges Responsibilities:

Time commitment for this year's judges:

Mentors

What does it mean to be a mentor?

Mentor Responsibilities:

Time commitment for this year's mentors:

Judge & Mentor Workshop

Judge Testimony

Mentor Testimony