Fellows and Ambassadors
Meet the 2018-19 Fellows and Ambassadors
Meet the students who are combining sustainable business practices with their career aspirations.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Sandy Springs, Georgia
What are your hobbies?
I love basketball, listening to music, and playing the electric violin.
How did your interest in sustainability develop?
Ever since my seventh-grade history teacher showed me a TED Talk on water purification in Africa, I have been fascinated by sustainable innovation. My interest was furthered by my mom, who encouraged me to look into Elon Musk’s work with Tesla. She directed me toward sustainability because it is a growing sector that will contribute in a big way to society. By my senior year in high school, I had focused my interest on sustainable cities because I believe cities provide the greatest opportunity to make the biggest impact within the smallest space.
Describe a Scheller College event that made an impact on you.
It was not until I attended the 2017 Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Climate Change Conference hosted at Georgia Tech that I considered sustainable business practices from a management standpoint. The entire conference was fascinating, especially the keynote speaker, Paul Hawken, who discussed Project Drawdown. All attendees received a copy of Mid-Course Correction: Toward a Sustainable Enterprise, by Ray C. Anderson, the late Founder and CEO of Interface. After reading the book, I began to consider sustainability from a corporate management point of view.
Hometown: Houston, Texas
What extracurricular activities have been most meaningful to you?
In middle school, I was the Texas state spelling bee champion for three consecutive years. To this day, I am very proud of that experience, which helped me become a more confident writer and communicator. I studied endlessly to perfect my spelling and learned so many unique vocabulary words along the way. The experience taught me that studying hard and never giving up on passions will pay off. It was a significant factor that led me to become a copywriter and copy editor.
How did your interest in sustainability develop?
I have worked in the consumer products industry for the majority of my career and became aware of so many sustainability opportunities. I realized the sheer amount of waste that went along with consumer products—due to a product’s extraneous packaging or simply the product itself. In one of my roles, I occasionally partnered with a team that focused on reducing waste in packaging, and it made me think twice about all the add-ons we get when we buy a product (e.g., “how-to” pamphlets, extraneous plastic or cardboard). Now, I notice this waste in every product I buy, and I try to think of ways to eliminate that waste.
What experience at Scheller College has made the most impact on you?
The Sustainable Business Consulting Practicum has given me tremendous insights. Our team is working directly with a major brand on a recycling project. Now, I’m constantly taking notes at places that do not have recycling bins! The experience has led us to speak to multiple industry leaders, as well as to learn more about why this problem exists and why recycling in the US is substandard. I am thrilled to be a part of this project.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Marietta, Georgia
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I have been skydiving.
What are your hobbies?
Traveling, wakeboarding, whitewater rafting, and volunteering.
When and how did your interest in sustainability develop?
I became passionate about sustainability after completing a research project about ocean pollution during my freshman year at Georgia Tech. The project was assigned in a Serve-Learn-Sustain (SLS) seminar. My early exposure to SLS showed me the importance of sustainability to the Georgia Tech community, and it made me think of the impact of sustainability from a business perspective. Since then, my interest in sustainability has grown. Being a Sustainability Ambassador will give me the opportunity to get more involved in sustainability-related activities on campus.
Describe the impact of an event that was sponsored by the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business.
I attended a lecture by Patrick Pittaluga in the Business, Environment, and Society Seminar Series. Pittaluga, a Georgia Tech alumnus, is COO and Co-founder of Grubbly Farms, a manufacturer of sustainable, insect-based animal feed. In the insightful lecture, Pittaluga spoke about the use of insects (specifically, the black soldier fly) as a sustainable choice for chicken feed. The ways that food waste, animal farming, and the production process of animal feed intersect are remarkable. The talk inspired me to research more about the food that I eat and how I dispose of my own personal food waste.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Please share your hobbies and a fun fact about yourself.
I enjoy eating and trying new foods, singing karaoke and dancing, learning languages, and discovering new places. I visited 30 countries on my own before turning 30.
Tell us about a Scheller College professor or class that made an impact on you.
Cross-Cultural Management, taught by Dong Liu. His motto is “Fun & Knowledge.” He brings so much joy to his classes while sharing wisdom with his students. Each week was kind of like traveling to a different country. We would discover the culture (and even try snacks!) from the location we were studying. As adults, it’s easy to accept that work and school are not supposed to be fun. However, Professor Liu proves otherwise.
Describe a Scheller College event that made an impact on you.
In Spring 2018, I teamed up with three classmates to develop an idea for the Delta Air Lines Carbon Reduction Challenge: to move Delta Sky magazine to a digital platform. After completing the research and getting feedback from numerous industry experts, it became clear that answers to the problems we face as a society are not difficult to uncover. The real challenge is joining stakeholders across multiple disciplines, and finding parties willing to accept accountability for these collective problems and solutions.
How has your career influenced your interest in sustainable business?
Living in Japan and Korea, I had to separate all my waste to be recycled. There, unlike in the U.S., heating and air are used sparingly and only in rooms that are actively occupied. “Why would you heat a hallway when you just pass through it for a moment?” my students in those countries would ask me. I realized that most U.S. citizens live unsustainable lifestyles compared to the majority of the world. Even in places with similar GDP per capita, other countries’ citizens culturally use and waste much less. I began to understand how unsustainable yet deeply rooted our practices are within U.S. culture.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Sharon was raised in South Korea and various parts of the United States. For the past ten years, she has resided in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I was born with green eyes, which is quite rare for someone with 100% East Asian ancestry.
What extracurricular activity at Georgia Tech has been most meaningful to you?
Serving on the advisory board for the GT1000 program has been meaningful to me because I was able to contribute directly to a huge program that enrolls over 60% of the incoming freshmen class. I mainly led recruitment efforts and suggested a more sustainable way of evaluating candidates to serve as GT1000 Team Leaders.
When and how did your interest in sustainability develop?
Having lived in South Korea, where citizens are required to recycle and are charged for plastic bags at grocery stores, it was a big culture shock for me to realize this was not the case in the United States. My interest in sustainability developed a few years ago when I saw how much waste could be reduced with reusable bags.
How has your work experience influenced your interest in sustainable business?
My career experiences have mainly been in applying marketing, analytics, and design in the digital space. Two summers ago, I interned at an international restaurant franchise company where I saw the process of food being made. This sparked my interest in the business case for reducing food waste.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Buford, Georgia
Please share your hobbies and a fun fact about yourself.
I enjoy camping and cooking. The first competitive sport I played was bowling.
How did your interest in sustainability develop?
I developed a passion for sustainability six years ago in Boy Scouts, while working on the Environmental Science and Soil & Water Conservation merit badge.
How has your career influenced your interest in sustainable business?
It is my goal to discover better and more sustainable ways to produce food and reduce food waste. I have worked in the food industry for the past three years at Firehouse Subs, The Honey Baked Ham Company, and Greenwood Ice Cream (where I was an intern). Most recently, I accepted an operations internship at JBS USA in beef production. I wish to continue my career in the food industry, focusing on sustainable supply chain and operations innovations.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Missouri City, Texas
What are your hobbies?
Playing music (piano, drums, and learning guitar).
What is your academic background in sustainability?
I am a dual degree student, so I am working on my Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering at the same time that I am pursuing my MBA. I received my bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin in 2015.
When and how did your interest in sustainability develop?
My interest in sustainability developed as I learned more about the human impact on the environment through my Ph.D. program. I recently had the privilege of attending a talk in the Business, Environment, and Society Speaker Series where Patrick Pittaluga, co-founder and COO of Grubbly Farms, spoke about his sustainable business. It was pretty neat to see an example of a Georgia Tech graduate pursuing unique and sustainable solutions to world problems. Specifically, Pittaluga’s company is producing chicken feed that replaces fish (an unsustainable option) with insects as the primary source of protein.
Describe your career trajectory up until this point. Have any positions influenced your interest in sustainable business?
My career background is in oil and gas with sprinkles of education. I’ve had internships and full-time roles in operations/production and reservoir simulation/forecasting. Also, I taught Algebra I/II to high school students in grades 9-11 as I transitioned from industry to my Ph.D., program. These past positions increased my awareness of the worldwide demand for energy and societal shortcomings in education, but I did not know about the world of sustainability until I started my Environmental Engineering program at Georgia Tech. So, while my past roles weren’t direct influencers in sustainability, they got my gears turning in regards to how I could “make the world a better place.”
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Clermont, Georgia
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I’m a certified scuba diver. One day, I’ll graduate and actually have the time to go diving.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy staying physically and mentally fit. I play basketball when I can, and I work out a couple times a week. I also love engaging in some sort of intellectual growth (school, reading, podcasts, etc.). Meditation and yoga are also big passions. I’m continually seeking the thing called “balance.” My significant other plays drums, and I join her on the guitar, so our apartment doubles as a concert venue. Finally, there’s traveling, hiking, the fam, and the friends—much fun indeed!
Tell us why Scheller College is special to you.
My classmates have definitely been the most impactful part of my Scheller College experience. I have met and learned with (and from) so many fantastic people. It is a rich community of diverse individuals who continue to impress and inspire me. Their combined thirst for learning and their desire to better themselves and this world are powerful reminders of why I’m here!
How has your career influenced your interest in sustainable business?
While wrapping up my undergraduate degree, I began looking into fields I thought would be fitting for me. One human resources interview led me to a unique opportunity to join a global company in a rotational development program focusing not only on HR but also on project management and business development. Each of these positions gave me perspectives from people far and wide. Those interactions became extremely influential in my pursuit of sustainable business. While we are all unique individuals, our dependence upon one another and this world remains a constant. This notion continues to be a driver for me.
How do you hope to make a positive impact on the world?
I hope through both my professional and personal life I can continue to remind people that kindness rocks. The pace of our world makes it often too easy to lose sight of things. As I move through my career, I hope that I never lose the notion of being good to others. I hope to be an inspiration to those I work with and around. I want us all to reach our goals with a little extra love along the way.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Sandy Springs, Georgia
If there was a theme song for your life, what would it be?
“Don’t Stop Me Now,” by Queen.
What extracurricular activity is currently most meaningful to you?
I am currently training to be a yoga instructor. I have been learning how to lead a group of students through a workout class. I’ve also learned the importance of acknowledging imperfection and embracing practice. People can always keep growing and improving. The whole point in yoga—and life!—is to be better than the person you were yesterday.
When and how did your interest in sustainability develop?
In Summer of 2018, I participated in the Leadership for Social Good study abroad program in Central & Eastern Europe. The classes, site visits, and internships focused on sustainable business in Eastern Europe. We studied how sustainability intertwines with organizations, the general public, and national governments. I met many individuals who dedicate every day of their lives to making this world a better place. They inspired me to help spread a passion for sustainability at Scheller College and beyond.
Describe a Scheller College activity that has impacted you positively.
I love attending lectures in the Impact Speaker Series. My favorite speaker from Fall 2018 was Kathy Walters, the Group President of Consumer Products at Georgia-Pacific (GP). She told us about her emphasis on personal development and explained how she helps others reach their potential. She shared with us how a big corporation like GP incorporates sustainability—by considering, for instance, their use of energy, water, and land, as well as their production (and reduction) of waste, in order to keep operations efficient and sustainable.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I have worked on sailboats around the world.
What was your educational path prior to Scheller College?
I received a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and in Global Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
How did your interest in sustainability develop?
As a kid, my family would spend mornings during our spring break trips to Florida cleaning the beach after a night of college students’ revelry. Picking up hundreds of red solo cups each day made me realize how many people disregard their impact on the environment. I made a vow to protect it.
How has your career influenced your interest in sustainable business?
In college, I studied abroad with Sea Education Association and conducted research on microplastics in the ocean. I later worked as a crew member for a non-profit organization that tackled the issue of marine debris through beach and ocean cleanups and community engagement projects in New England. These experiences made me truly appreciate mankind’s connection to and dependence on the environment. Prior to pursuing my MBA, I spent five years working for the Atlanta Track Club, the second-largest running organization in the world. I love doing mission-driven work and hope to apply this passion to a career centered on sustainability.
How do you hope to make a positive impact on the world?
In a time of divided politics, I believe that businesses have unprecedented power to incite change and positively impact the world. I hope to bring my passion into a company and to influence it to make decisions that prioritize the triple bottom line—maintaining the long-term sustainability of the business, the people, and the environment.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Richmond, Virginia
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I spent a year traveling across North America in a camper trailer with my husband and dog.
What are your hobbies?
My favorite times are spent outdoors with friends, family, and my dog. Mainly hiking, biking, and kayaking. Also, participating in long-term community volunteer roles has been meaningful, particularly serving on the steering committee of Atlanta’s Memorial Drive Greenway initiative.
When and how did your interest in sustainability develop?
I’m the daughter of a geologist, so I guess I’ve always had a soft spot for the environment. Nevertheless, being in New Orleans post-Katrina and also seeing the impacts of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico solidified my passion for pursuing a career in sustainability.
How has your career influenced your interest in sustainable business?
I’ve spent my career thus far in corporate communications and marketing, moving steadily into sustainability communications over the years. Most recently, I worked in recycling communications for Novelis, and waste and recycling marketing for Rubicon Global. Before coming to Scheller, I founded Huded Communications, a consulting practice dedicated to bringing sustainable innovations to market.
How do you hope to make a positive impact on the world?
I aim to use my career to help enable the implementation and scalability of sustainable innovations, particularly as they relate to adopting circular economy principles.
Program: Sustainability
Mark Jacobson, who hails from the Pacific Northwest, claims the region’s beauty had an impact on the course his life would take. By doing outdoor activities such as hiking and backpacking with his family, Mark says he “came to appreciate the importance of the natural environment.”
One of this year’s three Scheller Sustainability Fellows, Mark majored in business administration at the University of Washington. At college, he learned about businesses that serve as stewards for the environment while also generating a profit. “That’s the path I chose to explore,” says Mark.
During college, he worked for a company that turns organic waste (like coffee grounds) into sustainable chemicals that directly replace petroleum-derived chemicals; he also completed a finance internship at Amazon.com. After graduating, Mark accepted a job in California as an analyst at SolarWorld, which manufactures solar panels and builds solar projects. After two years, he moved to Seattle to work as a senior financial analyst for McKinstry where he helped to develop and finance renewable energy and building efficiency projects.
Mark decided to pursue a graduate degree at Georgia Tech because, he says, “I’m a believer in their 21st-century MBA story: Since technology is increasingly everywhere in business, it should be a key component of MBA curriculum.” In his fellowship, Mark researches solar energy in the Southeast in an effort to project when it will achieve cost parity with traditional energy generation sources.
Moving to Atlanta gave Mark, a sports fan, an unexpected gift this winter. The city hosted his two favorite teams—his alma mater and the Seattle Seahawks—in football playoffs. “Unfortunately, we lost both games,” he laments, “but it was still a fun experience.” Mark also enjoys traveling and hopes “to use those experiences to help bridge differences between people and cultures.”
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Suhayl grew up in locations around the U.S. He spent the most time in Nashville, Tennessee, and calls that city “home.”
What extracurricular activities have been most meaningful to you?
Two activities stand out to me. The first is weightlifting, which has been my sport since I was 13. I’ve always loved how weightlifting builds confidence, self-discipline, and physical and mental well-being. The second activity is volunteering at soup kitchens, which has given me a critical sense of how delicate everyone’s circumstances really are, and of how powerful even small acts of gratitude and empathy can be.
While at Scheller College, which professor has made the biggest impact on you?
Gail Evans, who teaches Gender, Race, and Ethnicity in Business. She is the most intelligent and kindest person. I know I am not the only student of hers to appreciate how deeply she challenged our inherent assumptions of society and ourselves. She motivated us to put ideals of societal betterment into action, both personally and professionally.
How has your career influenced your interest in sustainable business?
As a supply chain professional, I have held roles in logistics, distribution, inventory, and demand planning. My experience spans several industries including transportation, automotive, healthcare, and furniture fittings. Sustainability appeals to me in the form of environmentally responsible supply chains. As a distribution and logistics manager, I worked on route designs to distribute reusable surgical instrumentation and linens to healthcare providers. As an inventory analyst, I am exploring sustainable scrap solutions for metal products and demand planning initiatives to optimize capacity and inventory conditions.
How do you hope to make a positive impact on the world in your career?
Career-wise, I’d like to make a positive impact by refining supply chains into more sustainable processes that achieve the triple bottom line: fiscal, social, and environmental responsibility.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Giza, Egypt
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I once climbed the smallest pyramid of Giza. (Wasn’t really supposed to do that!)
What are your hobbies?
I like to play soccer, cook, and geek out playing city-building video games.
What extracurricular activities have been most meaningful to you?
Two stand out, and they are both from my undergraduate life at Texas A&M University. The Big Event is a campus-wide volunteering activity that allows students to give back to the immediate community surrounding the university. It was a great way to connect with families and friends and to give back to a community that really loves the school and its students. The second is the Arab Students Association at Texas A&M. I am very proud of my Egyptian heritage. Leading that organization as President gave me a great opportunity to reach out to the community and show them what the Middle East is all about. It was especially important for me to do this during a time of polarized media coverage of the region.
What was your educational path prior to Scheller College?
I pursued my Chemical Engineering degree first at Texas A&M University in Qatar. In 2011, I transferred to the main campus in College Station, Texas, where I later graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a minor in Chemistry.
How did your interest in sustainability develop?
Growing up in a polluted and impoverished Cairo, sustainability became a topic for me subconsciously very early on. Seeing the Nile—a natural resource very sacred to ancient and modern Egyptians—polluted daily, and having no control over the situation, really left a mark on me as a child. Later on, sustainability resurfaced through my career in the oil industry. Being on that side of the energy business and seeing the impact I was having, drove me to pursue an MBA with a sustainability focus—in the hope of making a positive impact later in my career.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Johnsonville, South Carolina
Please share your hobbies and a fun fact about yourself.
I enjoy vinyl record collecting, concerts, reading, live sports, and anything involving my dog Bernie. Often I read novels in one sitting.
What was your educational path prior to Scheller College?
Bachelor of Arts in Religion at Wofford College graduated in 2010. Master of Divinity from Yale University graduated in 2013.
How has your career influenced your interest in sustainable business?
After graduating from divinity school, I worked as an account executive for UPS. Seeing just how many resources we use, day in and day out, to move products around the world influenced my interest in sustainability.
When and how did your interest in sustainability develop?
South Carolina flooded in 2015, and it awakened me to the dangers of climate change. That experience really sparked my interest in sustainability.