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.”
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.
Sustainability Fellows and Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassadors deepen their engagement in environmental and social issues for business by working on projects.
