Fellows and Ambassadors

With his Ph.D. in aerospace engineering, his work in helicopter design as a Research Engineer, and his love of flying (he received his pilot’s license in 2012), you could say that Sylvester Ashok is fascinated by things that move. Moving has also defined this Sheller Sustainability Fellow’s life in substantive ways—such as leaving his home in Bangalore, India, to study at Georgia Tech in 2007, as well as having the opportunity to travel around the world. But the world that is constantly in motion and developing also comes at a cost.

“If cities keep growing at the same pace—with more cars and population density—mobility will be a big problem. We need to rethink how people get from point A to point B.” Sylvester is interested in how people commute, and in finding innovative solutions to the problems of congestion, pollution, and climate change. He sees promise in the intersection between autonomous cars and Uber. Put the engineering innovation and revolutionary business model together, and car ownership becomes a thing of the past.

Sylvester’s interests in sustainability don’t end there. Thoughtful urban design, which incorporates elements such as green space, can deeply impact the quality of life. Also, when considering the global landscape, a synergistic relationship must be fostered between corporations and government. Sylvester says, “We need to help the developing world grow sustainably and have access to affordable green energy.” Sylvester believes that innovation alone cannot solve the problem; it must be coupled with well-thought-out strategy and partnerships.

Sylvester shares his passion for finding creative ways to tackle challenging problems through Learning Through Making, the nonprofit of which he is president and co-founder. The organization engages K-12 students in STEM through hands-on challenges. Sylvester says he hopes “to raise up the next generation of innovators.”

As Eric May grew up in Staunton, Virginia, his parents “stressed the importance of getting out of your bubble”. Eric, one of this year’s Scheller Sustainability Fellows, majored in political science close to home at the University of Virginia, but interned as a research analyst in Argentina and traveled extensively in Latin America, where he “fell in love with the landscapes.”
When he returned to America, Eric wanted to work for a mission-driven organization that focused on the environment. In Washington, DC, he landed “a dream job” at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Working in the Latin America and Caribbean Program, Eric focused on protected area management, sustainable commodity production, and program innovation.
Eric witnessed the success of WWF’s Markets Program. To help companies avoid putting themselves at a competitive disadvantage in areas such as deforestation and commodities sourcing, WWF organized a stakeholder platform to facilitate cooperation. Eric says, “It dawned on me that the private sector can make a huge impact in a really short period of time.”
Now enrolled in Scheller’s Full-time MBA Program, Eric argues that with businesses taking more of a lead in the arena of sustainability, “There’s no need to think you can only make a change by working in a nonprofit.” As a Fellow, he appreciates interacting with people “who share similar world views but also challenge me intellectually to look at things differently.”
A nature lover (with a soft spot for birds), Eric enjoys hiking, trail running, camping, and kayaking with his fiancée. In nature, he says, “There’s a certain level of spirituality. I don’t need to know all the answers to know that it’s special.”

Wes Robinson sounds, at first, like an unlikely Scheller Sustainability Fellow. He reveals, “A lot of my work experience has nothing to do with sustainable business!” After Wes graduated from the University of Georgia, he worked on three statewide political campaigns. As a political science major, he had aspired to work in campaigning; however, he switched gears to serve the Office of Governor Nathan Deal as a policy advisor on natural resources, transportation, and economic development. Wes worked closely with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and about a year ago accepted a position as its Director of Public and Governmental Affairs.
Wes takes pride in the DNR’s mission: to promote the conservation and preservation of the state’s natural and cultural resources. He says, “That’s important to every single Georgian.” As an Executive MBA student with a demanding career, he admits, “During the legislative session, I’m lucky to make it to class!” However, pursuing a graduate degree in business with a sustainability concentration “seemed like a natural fit.” Receiving the fellowship in his first semester provided Wes with “an instant support network.”
“When some people hear ‘sustainability,’” Wes says, “they think it’s something other than it actually is.” He explains that often people don’t realize that sustainability initiatives (such as retrofitting large facilities with energy-efficient lighting) not only conserve natural resources but also benefit the bottom line. The opportunity to spread the “win-win” message about sustainability has both professional and personal ramifications. Protecting the environment today will ensure that Wes, an outdoor enthusiast, enjoys backpacking and fly-fishing in Georgia for many years to come.