Undergraduates

Scheller College Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassador

Hometown: Sandy Springs, Georgia.

What are you studying at Georgia Tech?
My major is industrial engineering.

When and how did your interest in sustainability develop?
Beginning in middle school, my interest in sustainability was sparked by my passion for innovation and business and by my desire to do something meaningful.

Please describe a sustainability-related event that had an impact on you.
During my senior year of high school, I attended the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Climate Change Conference at Georgia Tech. This 2017 event introduced me to the legacy of Ray C. Anderson and to the ways that the Ray C. Anderson Foundation is contributing towards a more sustainable future. The experience was very meaningful to me. Since then, I look to Anderson as a role model for how I want to conduct myself and my business ventures.

If someone writes a biography about you, what should the title be?
The Quiet Dreamer.

How do you hope to make a positive impact on the world in your career?
I hope to establish my own sustainability design firm to help businesses and cities combat climate change, and to implement innovation in smart cities to enhance the living experience for all individuals.

Last but not least, if you were a new addition to the crayon box, what color would you be and why?
I would be the color “Dallah” (a play on my last name), which is a plain navy with gold flakes that only show up in the color when you write. I can be quiet most of the time. However, I’ve been told that when I speak up, I bring a lot to the table.

Scheller College Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassador

Hometown: Orlando, Florida.

What are you studying at Georgia Tech?
I am a third-year environmental engineering major.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I was blessed by the Living Goddess of Nepal.

What are some of your hobbies?
Running, meditation, hiking, and yoga.

How did your interest in sustainability develop?
When I was four years old, I learned that a lot of water was wasted by people who left the faucet on while brushing their teeth. After that, I was hooked on trying to conserve water. I became really interested in sustainability—and in sharing what I learned about being “green” with those around me. 

Describe some of your sustainability-related activities at Georgia Tech.
I was selected to serve as a Living Building Equity Champion for our campus’s new Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design. This role has led to a budding interest in sustainable business. Also, being involved in student clubs such as #FridaysForFuture and Eco-Warriors has inspired me to learn more about the fusion between sustainability and business.

What type of positive impact do you hope to make in the world?
While it may seem like a big goal, I want to contribute to solving the climate crisis. I want to help people understand the issue and inspire them to take action. I hope to develop engineering solutions to the climate crisis and to collaborate with people from around the world to make an impact on a global scale.

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
Angelica Acevedo: The Value in Being Yourself.

Scheller College Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassador

Hometown: Alpharetta, Georgia.

What are you studying at Georgia Tech?
I’m pursuing the B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Information Technology Management. 

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I have a twin brother.

How did your interest in sustainability develop?
Recently, I became more aware of reports about global warming, climate change, ocean pollution, and other issues related to environmental sustainability. After learning that 100 companies are responsible for 71% of global emissions, I became particularly interested in businesses’ role in climate change and making a positive impact in sustainable business practices.

How have your work experiences influenced your interest in sustainable business?
As a student, I’ve had the opportunity to intern with eBECS, Mercedes-Benz USA, and Adidas North America. Working at Adidas as an intern in E-Commerce Operations motivated me to engage in more sustainable business practices. After joining Adidas’s Green Team, I initiated a sustainability project to reduce paper towel waste in the North America headquarters. This incredible opportunity to make a difference has inspired me to continue doing more to make businesses more sustainable.

How do you hope to make a positive impact on the world in your career or otherwise?
In my career and personal life, my goal is to become more knowledgeable about sustainable business practices. My intention is to implement these practices in my daily life and to motivate others working in corporate organizations to do the same. Together, we can make a much-needed difference in the world.

What are your hobbies?
I enjoy running, playing and watching soccer, watching basketball, and reading.

Scheller College Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassador

Hometowns: Miami, Florida; and Lausanne, Switzerland.

What are you studying at Georgia Tech?
I have a double major in earth and atmospheric sciences, and biochemistry.

What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am Swiss-Panamanian and was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

What are some of your hobbies?
Music—specifically, playing the viola and composing.

How did your interest in sustainability develop?
When I first learned about climate change in middle school, I thought, Something must be done! Later, when I came to Georgia Tech, the grand exchange of ideas and plethora of student organizations allowed me to understand the true gravity of the climate and ecological crisis. I became greatly intrigued in this subject. After seeing the general apathy towards this global concern, I knew I wanted to be an agent for positive change. I was fortunate enough to find a sustainability community on campus with other students who share my concerns about the environment. This inspires me to take action and spread awareness, since the most effective solutions arise when we work together.

How do you hope to make a positive impact on the world?
I want to find new solutions for the climate crisis, to implement existing solutions (of which there are many!), and to spread awareness of the climate and ecological crisis. Through education, we can ensure that future generations will learn from our mistakes and build a more just and sustainable society. 

What extracurricular activities have been most meaningful to you?
Greater Miami Youth Symphony and Students Organizing for Sustainability at Georgia Tech. 

If a book was written about your life, what would it be called?
The Balance: Climate, Music, and Life.

Scheller College Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassador

Hometown: Johns Creek, Georgia.

What are you studying at Georgia Tech?
I am pursuing a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Information Technology Management. I also have two minors: French, and Computing & Business through the Steven A. Denning Technology and Management Program.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I am very good riding mechanical bulls.

What extracurricular activities have been meaningful to you?
In high school, I was director of photography for my yearbook. Now, I run my own photography business where I shoot portraits and weddings. Although I am pursuing a technical degree at a STEM-focused school, I love having a creative outlet.

What sparked your interest in sustainability?
I have been passionate about the environment since I read An Inconvenient Truth, by Al Gore, at the age of 10. While I have always made conscious personal lifestyle choices and have tried to educate my friends and family about environmental sustainability, I never thought about pursuing it professionally. However, after realizing that the climate crisis is worsening, I have begun to refocus my career goals to figure out how to make an impact.

What sustainability-related event at Georgia Tech has made an impact on you?
I attended the Fall 2019 Global Climate Action Symposium, which was hosted by the Global Change Program. It was the first major event held in the new Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design. The event and astonishing new building serve as symbols of hope at this time when more and more people are feeling despair as we face (arguably) the largest crisis in human history: climate change.

How do you hope to make a positive impact on the world through your career?
No matter where I go in my career, I am certain about wanting to work for a company that prioritizes social responsibility over profit.

Scheller College Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassador

Hometown: Cumming, Georgia.

What are you studying at Georgia Tech?
I am a second-year undergraduate student majoring in public policy. I am specifically interested in environmental and climate policy. I am also minoring in international affairs.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I am scuba certified.

What extracurricular activities have been most meaningful to you?
For three years, I have been a member of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, which lobbies for bipartisan climate solutions at the federal level. I am also a trained mentor for the Climate Reality Project, a member of Georgia Tech’s Sustainability Advisory Council, and a Millennium Fellow committed to further developing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. All of these groups have helped me to develop many skills, such as community outreach and relationship building. Most importantly, they have taught me how to stay positive and hopeful while working on climate solutions.

When and how did your interest in sustainability develop?
I have been working on climate action since I was 16 years old. After watching Leonardo DiCaprio‘s documentary, Before the Flood, I looked for ways I could make the most impact in combating climate problems. Shortly after, I became a field representative for Our Climate, a group that educates students about carbon pricing. My interest in sustainability and climate policy has blossomed from there.

Describe a sustainability-related event that has made a big impact on you?
This fall, I attended the ceremony for the E3 Awards, which are presented by the Metro Atlanta Chamber to sustainability leaders. Beril Toktay, faculty director of the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business, was a finalist in the “Impact” category. The event opened my eyes to numerous sustainability projects and innovative initiatives that are being implemented across metro Atlanta.

How do you hope to make a positive impact on the world in your career?
I hope to work on international climate policy and related negotiations in the future. More and more, the world is coming together to further develop a framework for climate solutions, targets, and standards that will directly affect our future, and I want a seat at the table.

Scheller College Undergraduate Sustainability Ambassador

Hometown: Miami, Florida.

What are you studying at Georgia Tech?
I am majoring in materials science and engineering and minoring in industrial design. I am also a participant in the Innovating for Social Impact Program.

What extracurricular activity has been most meaningful to you?
The first organization I ever created and ran was Earth Club in my high school. This activity gave me an entrepreneurial spirit and taught me that you are never too young to work towards making a difference in the world.

How did your interest in sustainability develop?
Since childhood, my genuine interest in biodiversity has prompted me to take action to protect the environment. In the summer of 2018, two international experiences broadened my interest in sustainable development. First, I went to the Dominican Republic on a service trip for global health. Second, I was selected to participate in the UK-US Fulbright Summer Institute. At the University of Strathclyde and the Glasgow School of Art, I studied innovation, technology, and creativity. In the program, I learned how innovation districts can create sustainable solutions to unique problems in different industries.

How do you hope to make a positive impact on the world?
I hope to create a conservation non-profit organization and found a consulting firm for sustainable materials research, design, and innovation. Both organizations would help to create a positive impact in biodiversity preservation and sustainable development of developing communities.

If you could be any color in the crayon box, what would it be?
I would be grey. This is because the world is not black and white. In order to solve big problems, one must be openminded and acknowledge that there is good and bad in everything.

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.

What is your spirit animal?
A gorilla because they will do anything for their family, and I am extremely family oriented. Also, as a child, I had a gorilla plush toy named after Willy B., the Atlanta Zoo’s most famous gorilla.

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.

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.

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.

What is your spirit animal?
My spirit animal is a buffalo because I am levelheaded and like to spend my free time exploring.

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 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 in 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.