Fellows and Ambassadors
Meet the 2020-2021 Fellows and Ambassadors
Program:Sustainability
Scheller College Graduate Sustainability Fellow
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Current student status:
I am a first-year student enrolled in the dual MBA and Master of Architecture degree program at Georgia Tech.
Educational background:
B.S. in Architecture (Georgia Tech, 2017)
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
As an undergraduate, I was a member of Georgia Tech’s co-ed acapella group. In my fourth year, we performed for President Obama and Michelle Obama at the annual White House Christmas party.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
I am learning how sustainability plays a role in both the environment and society. I plan to integrate sustainability in my career by working to design spaces that are socially and environmentally equitable. More specifically, I hope to use both my design skills and business acumen to develop spaces that help to create opportunities and build a stronger sense of community.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Knoxville, Tennessee
Current student status:
I am pursuing an MBA with a specialization in Management of Technology through the Scheller College Executive MBA Program. I’m in the final semester of the program and graduating in December 2021.
Educational background:
Bachelor of Business Administration, with a concentration in Supply Chain Management (University of Tennessee, 2012)
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am a business professional on the outside, but a nature lover, adventurer, and explorer at heart. I grew up outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and spent countless weekends and holidays hiking with my family. I have hiked in many distant places, including New Zealand and the Patagonia region of Argentina. Last year, I expanded my love of the outdoors by becoming a certified scuba diver. My EMBA capstone project, which is to build a startup, combines my professional and personal interests. My co-founders and I are working on a project to connect more humans with nature by increasing the accessibility of camping and other outdoor adventures.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The future depends on what you do today.” I am concerned about climate change and its impacts. Over the past several years, I have channeled that concern into educating myself and developing my voice as a climate activist. I am a volunteer climate lobbyist with the Citizens Climate Lobby and a Sustainability Ambassador through the Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Resilience. By pursuing my personal interest in sustainability, I have gained new skills and experiences, such as leading lobby meetings and canvassing, that have benefitted me professionally. I now have the confidence and the tools to contribute to climate change solutions and to coach others who are still developing their voice. Ultimately, I aspire to pursue a career in politics or lead a local nonprofit focused on urban sustainability.
Why did you want to become a Sustainability Champion?
I was exposed to the Center and the Sustainability Champions program through a sustainability course I completed last fall as part of the Executive MBA Program. I was eager to find a way to get involved with the Center, so when one of my classmates reached out to me asking to partner on a project, I was “all in”! My project with Sustainable Newton enabled me to apply classroom sustainability learnings to a real-world challenge, helped me build and leverage networks within the Metro Atlanta sustainability community, and motivated me to drive a more sustainable future for all.
Program: Sustainability
Scheller College Graduate Sustainability Fellow
Hometown:
Knoxville, Tennessee
Current student status:
I am a second-year student in the Full-time MBA Program at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
Educational background:
B.S. in Marketing (Saint Vincent College, 2013)
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
My legal last name, Brenller, is actually a combination of initials from my family and my husband’s. We love that our nontraditional surname honors both of our backgrounds.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
While my family has always emphasized the importance of good stewardship and service to others, I used to believe these actions were separate from a career in business. However, after a few years in the Peace Corps and then another few years working with a local chocolate maker that focused on ethical trade practices, I’ve learned that sustainable business can truly impact communities for good. As I begin my career as a consultant this coming year, I will strive to shine a light continually on how businesses can do well by doing good.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Marietta, Georgia
Current student status:
I am a student in the Evening MBA Program at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
Educational background:
B.S. in Environmental Engineering (University of Georgia, 2017)
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
After I graduated from college, I went on a family trip to Peru where we hiked over 50 miles of the Inca Trail, camping in small off-the-grid towns along the way. The hike came to a close as we hiked through the Sun Gate Pass, which offers the first view of Machu Picchu. This trip was a humbling experience that allowed me to open my eyes to the truly important things in life.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
Sustainability is a growing facet to every form of business and the overall lives we live. I aim to leave behind a world that continues to allow future generations to thrive and flourish. Currently, I contribute to environmental sustainability through my career as a consultant working on Georgia Power’s Commercial Energy Efficiency programs. I evaluate building utility data and technology capabilities to offer demand-side management recommendations through energy efficiency measures in the built environment. I strive to learn more about environmental sustainability on a corporate level and to assist companies in designing achievable environmental sustainability goals.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
Current student status:
I am a first-year student in the Full-time MBA Program at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
Educational background:
B.S. in Statistics and Business Management (Sungkyunkwan University, 2017)
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I have traveled to 38 countries and lived in four countries.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
When it comes to making the world a better place, I have tried to start with the small things, such as recycling and encouraging others to do the same, relying less on automobiles, carpooling, and using less plastic. Eventually, I would like to make a larger impact by practicing sustainability in businesses. By serving as a Fellow and learning more about sustainable business through my group project, I will be able to gain experience that can help me reach my future goals.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Duluth, Georgia
Current student status:
I am a first-year student in the Evening MBA Program at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
Educational background:
B.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering (Auburn University, 2005)
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I love the great outdoors. I enjoy hiking, backpacking, and especially mountain biking. I have been fortunate to ride in some wonderful places around the world. Last year, I rode in an eight-day, 388-mile race outside Cape Town, South Africa. If it was not for the pandemic, I would have participated this year in two five-day races—one in North Carolina and another in Switzerland.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
We have to think about tomorrow. If we don’t, then there may not be much of a tomorrow. It’s not the latest computer or mobile phone that interests me but rather the sustainable technologies of tomorrow. I work for a company that manufactures consumer goods. For me personally, I am trying to be less of a consumer by purchasing quality and repairable goods—and only those that I need. Upon graduating with my MBA, I hope to work for a company that shares my sustainability values.
Program: Sustainability
Scheller College Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassador
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Current student status:
I am a fourth-year business administration major at Georgia Tech. I have a concentration in operations and supply chain management.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I spent two weeks living in an RV in New Zealand.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
I want to work in a supply chain role where I will have the opportunity to reduce waste in shipping, packing, and manufacturing products. I make it a point in all of my interviews to ask how I could be involved in sustainability if I were to get the job.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Current student status:
I am a first-year student in the Master of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Management (MSEEM) Program at the Georgia Tech School of Public Policy.
Educational background:
Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) (Georgia Tech, 2007)
B.A. in English (Texas State University, 2000)
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I partly grew up in the highest capital city in the world (La Paz, Bolivia), flying in and out of the highest international airport in the world (El Alto International Airport).
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
I’ve spent over a decade helping to build socially and environmentally responsible businesses as an investor and fund manager. I returned to Georgia Tech for a second graduate degree so I can better understand the science, policy, and business opportunities that are driving our response to climate change. I plan to start a new venture based on what I have learned.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Sioux City, Iowa
Current student status:
I am a second-year student in the Full-time MBA Program at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
Educational background:
B.A. in Anthropology (DePaul University, 2011)
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I’ve taken several road trips across the United States, meeting people and bathing in nature along the way. Through these adventures, I’ve visited all 50 states; South Dakota is one of my favorites!
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
Conservation is an integral part of my family’s heritage as we restored family farmland to native prairie, which taught me from a young age to revere our planet and be a good steward of land for a better future. I carry this mindset with me into my career by incorporating sustainability into digital solutions and integrating the mindset of consuming less into my personal life and workplace culture.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Decatur, Georgia
Current student status:
I am a first-year student in the Full-time MBA Program at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business..
Educational background:
Bachelor of Family and Consumer Sciences in Human Development and Family Science, Consumer Journalism (University of Georgia, 2016)
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I have lived in ten countries.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
Sustainability is not only the right thing to do but also advantageous to business outcomes. I continue to build my business acumen and learn more about social and environmental sustainability innovations and solutions through my MBA classes and clubs. I hope to leverage this new knowledge and my passion for sustainability by guiding the integration of sustainability into business operations and outcomes.
Program: Sustainability
Scheller College Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassador
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Current student status:
I am a third-year earth and atmospheric sciences major at Georgia Tech. I have a concentration in environmental sciences.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I had the opportunity to live on the Great Barrier Reef as a participant in the Spring 2020 Georgia Tech Pacific Program!
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
I have always been passionate about the earth and its inhabitants, which means that integrating sustainability into my personal and career goals comes naturally to me. I am currently involved in paleoclimate research at Georgia Tech under Professor Kim Cobb. We use fossil corals to reconstruct past temperatures in the Tropical Pacific, which improves scientists’ ability to predict climate change. I plan to continue my involvement in better understanding climate change in graduate school.
Program: Sustainability
Hometowns: London, England; and Ottawa, Canada.
Current student status:
I am a student in the Evening MBA Program at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
Educational background:
M.S. in Architecture (Georgia Tech, 2018)
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I didn’t learn to dance as I was growing up, but when I experienced tango for the first time many years ago, I was smitten. Many years later, I continue to dance Argentine tango and love it! Hopefully, when the world reopens, we can reconnect in person in the dance of life.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
Sustainability permeates so much these days. I continue to learn about its nuances while remaining true to the basic mandate of making a difference in a way that considers generations to come.
Program: Sustainability
Scheller College Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassador
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Current student status:
I am a fourth-year civil engineering major at Georgia Tech. I have a minor in industrial design.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
In the sixth grade, I sat in the real county criminal courthouse as the judge (wearing a full set of robes and a powdered wig) hearing the case of Mr. Hyde on trial for the crimes of Dr. Jekyll.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
Like Ray, I see Earth as a web of life connecting us through stories. In my story, I hold all businesses accountable for taking immediate climate change mitigation action. I will advocate for policy that incentivizes sustainability, design products that promote sustainable lifestyles, support businesses that belong to a clean energy economy, prioritize bringing equity to renewable energy and women’s health, and use the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to guide me.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Staunton, Virginia
Current student status:
I am pursuing an MBA with a specialization in Global Business through the Scheller College Executive MBA Program.
Educational background:
Bachelor of Business Administration (University of Mississippi, 2006)
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Georgia Tech, 2003)
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I was an extra on the Showtime series, Homeland.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
Prior to coming back to Tech, I hadn’t viewed sustainable practices as a way to mitigate risks and drive business growth. Now, my interest in environmental and social governance (ESG) is directly tied to the concept of “doing good by doing well.” The strategies that corporations employ around their respective ESG journeys incorporate many of the same considerations I’ve employed during my professional services and consulting career though through a different lens. Sustainability initiatives are steadily growing in companies of all sizes, as evidenced by the tremendous growth of the ESG consulting market.
Why did you want to become a Sustainability Champion?
I became interested in joining the Center as a Sustainability Champion following a guest lecture from [Center Managing Director and Professor of the Practice] Michael Oxman during my Business Strategies for Sustainability course in the Fall of 2020. As a novice to sustainability and ESG consulting, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work on a project that would expand my knowledge base and deliver impactful, actionable solutions for a terrific cause. The sponsor organization was Sustainable Newton, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on reducing plastic waste and improving recycling in Newton County, Georgia.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Hanford, California
Current student status:
I am a first-year student in the Full-time MBA Program at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
Educational background:
B.A. in English Literature (California State University, Fresno; 2013)
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I enjoy building computers.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
I think it’s important to approach sustainability by keeping longevity in mind. This, for me, means small steps that add up. I am always trying to find ways in which I can contribute to a more sustainable future. I am even considering entrepreneurship for this very reason! I plan to carry the Center’s vision with me into my career by keeping sustainability on the table when making strategic decisions.
Program: Sustainability
Scheller College Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassador
Hometown: Hong Kong
Current student status:
I am a third-year environmental engineering major at Georgia Tech.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
My last name, “Ip,” means “leaf” in Cantonese. It’s the most sustainable last name you can find!
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
My work lies at the intersection of faith, climate, and storytelling. I am planning to launch a career in science journalism, science communication, or science policy, and sustainability is a keystone of my career and personal goals. In the Summer of 2020, as a Serve-Learn-Sustain intern, I worked on digital storytelling and outreach projects for West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, a local Black-led environmental justice nonprofit.
Hometown:
Savannah, Georgia
Current student status:
I am a fourth-year mechanical engineering major at Georgia Tech.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
In my spare time (that should not be spare), I like to build holograms. I am proud of my accomplishments and sincerely apologize to my Georgia Tech professors.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
Ray’s company doubled its profits while cutting pollution by 90%. I aspire to align business and environmental interests as he did. The ability to work from home is a technological marvel that has proven itself during the pandemic. At my workplace, I became an ambassador for leveraging this practice that provides both fiscal and environmental benefits.
Program: Sustainability
Scheller College Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassador
Hometown: Snellville, Georgia
Current student status:
At Georgia Tech, I am a third-year business administration major with a concentration in strategy and innovation. I am also pursuing the certificate in sustainable business.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am a track and field student-athlete at Georgia Tech.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
I am very conscious of the choices I make in my life. I have reduced my carbon footprint by using less single-use plastic, carpooling, and going vegan. I also educate myself on other sustainable practices (for individuals as well as businesses) by reading articles multiple times a week. I look forward to serving as an Ambassador because I want to learn more about how to implement sustainable initiatives in business.
Program: Sustainability
Scheller College Graduate Sustainability Fellow
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Current student status:
I am a first-year student in the Full-time MBA Program at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
Educational background:
B.A. in Economics/Commerce and Business (Rhodes College, 2016)
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I am a former collegiate punter who coaches high school kickers and punters on weekends.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
My decision to pursue an MBA hinged on a desire for my career to have an impact beyond a financial bottom line. Creating a sustainable world for future generations is both necessary and intrinsically valuable. My goal is to use data tools to generate realizable gains in worldwide sustainable living in an effort to make the earth a more just and habitable place. By taking responsibility for the full impact of everything businesses put into and take out of the earth, we will be (as Ray liked to say) “doing well by doing good.”
Program: Sustainability
Scheller College Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassador
Hometown: Evans, Georgia
Current student status:
I am a fourth-year business administration major at Georgia Tech. I have a concentration in information technology management.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I was bitten by a lone star tick, and now I am allergic to beef, pork, and lamb.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
I plan on implementing sustainability into my career goals by always being cautious of the type of work I do and the vendors from which I purchase. During my job interviews, I always ask what the company is doing to encourage sustainability in its work process and the community. I strive to share my skills with a company that makes a serious effort to promote sustainable work practices.
Program: Sustainability
Scheller College Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassador
Hometown: Oviedo, Florida
Current student status:
I am a third-year double major in mechanical engineering and physics at Georgia Tech.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I have seven siblings, four of whom were adopted!
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
I want to be an agent for change in global poverty. I believe sustainable economic development can support the change I hope to see. I would like to use my engineering background to inform my work in social entrepreneurship. To this end, I am focusing on gaining opportunities, such as volunteering and interning in underserved communities abroad and at home, that helps me understand the nature of poverty.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Orangeburg, South Carolina
Current student status:
I am a first-year student in the Full-time MBA Program at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
Educational background:
B.S. in Mathematics (Claflin University, 2018)
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I enjoy making robots.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
Climate change will disproportionately impact those from underserved communities. I plan to use my background in technology and social entrepreneurship to train the next generation of innovators from marginalized communities to create technical solutions to the problems that will affect them most. Also, I hope to advocate for better energy consumption policies among tech data centers and AI developers.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Richmond Hill, Georgia
Current student status:
I am a first-year student in the Full-time MBA Program at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
Educational background:
B.S. in Geography (University of Georgia, 2017)
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I speak Malagasy!
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
Sustainability and environmental conservation have remained consistent motivators for me throughout the years. My time living in a rural farming community on the east coast of Madagascar not only opened my eyes to climate change but also inspired me to view sustainable business practice as the best avenue to help mitigate its detrimental impacts. Regardless of where my MBA takes me, sustainable practices will remain a non-negotiable component of the work I pursue.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Mangalore, India
Current student status:
I am a second-year student in the Full-time MBA Program at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
Educational background:
Bachelor of Engineering (Visvesvaraya Technological University, 2012)
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am a huge supporter of childhood education. Every year, I spend three weeks in remote parts of the world to promote this cause.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
I strongly believe that the usage of plastics is bad for the environment and therefore condemn their usage. I intend to reduce our reliance on plastics by implementing sustainability practices at Georgia Tech and beyond.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Current student status:
I am a student in the Evening MBA Program at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
Educational background:
B.B.A. in Risk Management and Insurance (University of Georgia, 2012)
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I have applied to complete yoga teacher training in the spring.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
In the short-term, I hope to be admitted in a Risk Management and Insurance Ph.D. program. During and after completion of the Ph.D. program, my goal is to focus my dissertation and doctoral research on the effects of sustainability, global warming, and climate change on the insurance market.
Program: Sustainability
Scheller College Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassador
Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas
Current student status:
I am a fourth-year history major at Agnes Scott College. I also have two minors: one in education and another in environmental and sustainability studies.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
In my senior year of high school, my school’s band was selected to play for the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
By being an Ambassador, I hope I can inspire someone to join the fight for environmental protection and justice. After graduation, I will be a teacher. I hope to integrate all that I have learned about the environment into the classroom in order to make a positive impact on the next generation. Currently, I am an environmental resident at Agnes Scott College and the education and outreach coordinator for Metro Atlanta Youth Energy Corps (MAYEC).
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Cloudland, Georgia
Current student status:
I am a first-year student in the Executive MBA Program at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
Educational background:
B.S. in Architecture (Georgia Tech, 2006)
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I love estate sales and auctions, especially when vintage furniture or jewelry is involved. It’s like going on a treasure hunt.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
Sustainability has always been at the core of my career pursuits. I have long held the belief that you can make the world a better place without sacrificing the environment. Examples of my work in support of this ideal include helping communities to create sustainable zoning plans and designing structures according to green building and product certifications. Reducing humans’ negative impact on the environment is a long-term business strategy. I am excited to see where both my future and the future of sustainability will go. I feel lucky to be exploring the endless possibilities at Scheller College.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Current student status:
At Georgia Tech, I am a second-year student in a dual degree program. I am working concurrently toward my MBA and M.S. in Analytics.
Educational background:
BTech in Computer Science (Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram State University of Science and Technology, Murthal; 2012)
What is a fun fact about yourself?
A couple of years ago, I successfully biked on the world’s highest motorable road and conquered my fear of heights.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
The opportunity to leave a better world for the next generation is what inspires me to work toward sustainable solutions. In this era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, as digital technology allows for smart industrial practices, I aspire to build my expertise in AI, analytics, and business to help me work on solutions for the world’s sustainability challenges.
Program: Sustainability
Scheller College Graduate Sustainability Fellow
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Current student status:
I am a first-year student in the Executive MBA Program at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
Educational background:
B.A. in Geology (Washington and Lee University, 2015)
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
If you Google “geologist” images, I am the second or third picture that pops up even though I have never worked as a geologist.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
I am pursuing a career in renewable energy. I see the renewable energy industry as the most direct route to solving the issues associated with climate change, and I want to be a part of that solution. I hope to leverage the skills I have developed during my time as a leader in the Army in conjunction with the knowledge I am gaining through the Executive MBA program to help bring clean energy to businesses and communities in the Southeast.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Alpharetta, Georgia.
What is your graduate program at Georgia Tech?
I am a second-year student in the Master of Industrial Design program and a first-year student in the Full-time MBA Program.
If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
Does She Ever Sleep?
What extracurricular activities have been most meaningful to you throughout your life?
Since childhood, the Bengali Association of Greater Atlanta has served as an anchor to understanding and actively engaging with my Bengali culture as a multicultural American. While I’ve been at Georgia Tech, the Scheller College Net Impact MBA chapter has given me the opportunity to engage with and learn from other students, alumni, and faculty as they share their experiences and opportunities in sustainability and diversity initiatives.
When and how did your interest in sustainability develop?
From a young age, I developed an awareness for making deliberate choices and understanding their impact before acting on them. My family’s culture is very sustainability-focused. The amount of trash we generated each week was less than a grocery bag full, usually filled with just chicken and fish bones that could not be composted in our garden.
How has your employment history influenced your interest in sustainable business?
After college, I worked in the R&D division of a tax consulting firm, and then in Supply Chain and Logistics for The Home Depot.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Current student status:
I am a first-year student in the Executive MBA Program at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
Educational background:
B.A. in Communication Arts, Double Minor in Economics and Psychology (Allegheny College, 2008)
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I can analyze body language and handwriting.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
Before Covid, I volunteered on Saturdays around the Atlanta area and saw a lot of struggling neighborhoods.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Fairhope, Alabama
Current student status:
I am a first-year student in the Full-time MBA Program at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
Educational background:
B.S. in Marketing (University of Alabama, 2009)
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
In my spare time, I play and sing in a band.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
Sustainable business practices can reduce the negative impact of human consumption and increase people’s quality of life worldwide. If we don’t act quickly to accomplish sustainability goals, we may no longer have a world full of humans with whom to do business. I believe that we must lead the way with innovation and understanding to solve these complex issues.
Program: Sustainability
Scheller College Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassador
Hometown: Marietta, Georgia
Current student status:
I am a third-year biology major at Georgia Tech. I have a concentration in environmental science.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
For the past five years, I have spent my summers on various research projects to monitor and protect nesting female sea turtles!
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
I’m interested in an academic career to study wildlife sensory and behavioral biology in response to anthropogenic habitat fragmentation. I love conservation research because it’s about studying how the natural world functions and developing sustainable solutions with people. I applied to be an Ambassador because I don’t know much about business. I hope this opportunity gives me an additional perspective on potential solutions to conservation issues.
Program: Sustainability
Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia
Current student status:
I am a second-year student in the Full-time MBA Program at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
Educational background:
B.A. in Mass Communication (University of Georgia, 2014)
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
My stepfamily is Dominican. I love Latin culture, dance, and food!
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
I find Ray’s thoughts about “brightening the corner where you are” so powerful. It’s true—by making changes in the small arenas in which we operate, we can collectively make a big impact. As I move into a career in supply chain operations, I see so many opportunities to “brighten corners” in the industry by listening to others in order to understand the spaces in which we work and the people with whom we interact. My goal is to gain a deep understanding of the sustainability challenges that exist and identify opportunities to (as Ray said) “do good…not just no harm.”
Program: Sustainability
Scheller College Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassador
Hometown: Columbia, Maryland
Current student status:
I am a fourth-year environmental engineering major at Georgia Tech. I also have a minor in sustainable cities.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I studied Japanese from the sixth grade through my second year in college.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
I plan to utilize my bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering and minor in sustainable cities to implement infrastructural change. I’d like to dedicate my career to sustainable urban development. My passion in this area has grown stronger as I have realized the need for long-term infrastructural change to help disadvantaged communities. For me, this work would involve planning and developing truly sustainable urban communities that prioritize equality, the environment, and the economy.
Program: Sustainability
Scheller College Graduate Sustainability Fellow
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Current student status:
I am a first-year student in the Full-time MBA Program at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
Educational background:
B.A. in English (Colby College, 2001)
M.A. in Education Leadership (Columbia University, 2011)
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am a huge music fan, and my wife and I have traveled the world to attend concerts. The band I’ve seen live most often is Pearl Jam (53 shows and counting). I share this as Pearl Jam has been deeply involved in sustainability through carbon mitigation and other sustainable practices. It’s always fun when passions align!
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
Having spent my career as an educator, I believe deeply in helping everyone gain access to high-quality education. This belief brought me to Scheller College and inspired me to apply to be a Fellow. In order for communities and businesses to thrive, we must immerse and educate ourselves in innovation, human rights, and carbon-conscious practices. I am spending my time at Scheller College learning more about these areas so I can drive and support sustainable change going forward.
Program: Sustainability
Scheller College Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassador
Hometown: Grayson, Georgia
Current student status:
I am a third-year chemical and biomolecular engineering major at Georgia Tech.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I have a rat terrier named Blue (her full name is Aramis Blueberry Cornchip). She looks like a cow. I also have a Roborovski dwarf hamster named Theo. He’s the size of a chicken nugget.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
I believe that sustainable products and processes should be cost effective for both the consumer and the producer, so my goal is to work with companies to develop affordable and sustainable solutions to our problems. I chose my field because I believe that chemical engineers have a pivotal role to play in implementing sustainable business practices for the companies that contribute most to polluting our environment.
Program: Sustainability
Scheller College Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassador
Hometown: Tucker, Georgia
Current student status:
I am a first-year public policy major at Georgia Tech. I am specializing in environmental policy.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I flew a plane long before I drove a car.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
As I begin my college experience, I am choosing courses that will directly further my education on the issue of sustainability. I am also choosing to get involved with programs (such as becoming an Ambassador) that help students learn how to design practical solutions to sustainability challenges. Eventually, I would like to intern with or have a co-op at a company that aims to have sustainable operations throughout its supply chain.
Program: Sustainability
Scheller College Graduate Sustainability Fellow
Hometown: I am from Dalian, a city in China’s Liaoning Province.
Current student status:
I am a student in the Evening MBA Program at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business.
Educational background:
B.S. in City and Regional Planning (Michigan State University, 2014)
M.S. in Geographic Information Science and Technology (Georgia Tech, 2015)
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I went skydiving twice. I’m also learning how to ride a motorcycle.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
To my understanding, sustainability is about both the environment as well as people. I believe companies can make a positive contribution to the world by operating efficiently. By doing this, they will introduce less waste into the environment.
Program: Sustainability
Scheller College Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassador
Hometown: Bath, Pennsylvania
Current student status:
At Georgia Tech, I am a first-year business administration major with a concentration in information technology management. I am also pursuing two minors: computing and business, and German.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
During my first visit to Atlanta, I accidentally rode the elevator with Pink and her bodyguard at the Omni Hotel.
What makes you a “Ray C. Anderson of tomorrow”?
From my point of view of as a first-year undergraduate, I noticed from the get-go that the Georgia Tech campus boasts a plethora of sustainable practices, from infrastructure like the Kendeda Building to the compostable packaging utilized in dining halls. I also make individual efforts to support sustainability. Aside from my role as an Ambassador, I’m also working on an education project with Emerging Leaders (a first-year leadership organization) to facilitate increased awareness and utilization of campus recycling sites via strategic placement of outdoor signage.