ASPIRE 2025 BioBook

202 5 Participants

TABLE OF CONTENTS 202 5 ASPIRE PARTICIPANTS

Christopher Yueh

23

44

Aaron Cohen

Loretta Felix

3

Cody Martin

2 4

45

Adrienne Williams

Lori Smith

4

5

Daniel Lyczak

2 5

46

Alison Valk

Marsilleth Ellis

7

Daniel Stewart

26

47

Amber Williams

Michael Jones

8

Dawn Evans

27

48

Amelia Neumeister

Naima Barton

9

49

Don-Fiona Gould

28

Ana Rust

Nikki Starnes

51

Erin T. Jackson

29

Annemarie Karanja 10

Nisha Kukreja

11

Fabianna Vallejos

30

Ariel Gladney

Nyeelah Matthews

52

Georgina Jimenez

12

32

Becky Williams

Olivia Cusimano

53

54

Heather Duncan

13

33

Breanna Durham

Parvaneh Javanmard

Jaclyn O'Neil

14

34

Brian Garsh

56 Roberta Houston-Howard

57

35

15

Joe Barnette

Brianna (Bri) Palmer

Robyn Crutchfield

Kathryn Bell

16

36

Bryant Wine

Sarah Grace Alexander

58

17

Kristin Lowe

38

59

Caira Samuels

Shannon Tillison

18

Krystal McNally

60

39

Carrie Grazier

Stephanie Stephens

40

61

LaShundra Barber

Chartice Wyatt-Thermil

Tai Winters

19

20

62

Lee Yarbrough

41

Christie Berkowitz

Taneka Dixon

21

63

Leonard Lamb

42

Christine Robinson

Tiffany S. Finley

43

64

Lila Dahal

Christopher McKenney

Verene Lancaster

22

202 5 ASPIRE COACHES Antonia McCain

Jordan Howell

66

Matthew Oliver

67

65

NeKenjie Tarver

6 8

Favorite Things: A Favorite Quote: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." – Ferris Bueller Personal Interests: • Cooking • International Travel • Photography • Making things (3d printing, costume pieces) • Learning Brazilian Portuguese

Aaron Cohen Ethics and Compliance Investigator Department of Internal Auditing

Current Projects • Financial Reviews • Conflicts of Interest • Undisclosed Foreign Activity • Creating connections with campus leaders • Marketing my department

Previous Experience: • Bates, Carter & Co, LLP • Georgia Attorney General’s Office

Favorite Desserts: • Banana Foster • Gelato

Adrienne Williams (she/her) Sr. HR Consultant

Recent Projects

• PIN Summer Internship • EI 2 HR Learning Series • EI 2 Research Faculty Promotion Process Favorite Things Favorite Quote: “Try to be a rainbow in someone else's cloud.” – Maya Angelou Favorite Hobbies: cooking, painting, singing, decorating, traveling, spending time with family and friends, trying new restaurants, and movie nights with my husband. Favorite Movie: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Fun fact: I love science! I got my bachelor’s degree in biology, but I’m not using it now.

Restorative Harmony Analytical Individualization Deliberative

I have approximately 8 ½ years of service within the University System of Georgia

Favorite Food: Mexican Favorite Color: Purple Birthday: January 10 th

Alison Valk Emerging Technologies Librarian ( she/her)

Education Florida State University – MLIS -Masters Library and Information Sciences Georgia State University- BBA – Computer Information Systems

Skills

15+ years experience: Instructional Technology-Special Focus Media Production & Emerging Tech Program Development/ Project & Change Management

Educator focused on applications for virtual reality & augmented reality Web Dev, CMS, Research Support & Multimodal Communication skills Personal Grew up in Atlanta- Family is from England Hiking, Camping , Drawing, Photography, Printmaking

In my free time I enjoy travelling with my partner – we visited the Azore Islands recently! We also enjoy trying new restaurants. Playing cards with friends and visiting family. I also volunteer, host & produce shows with community radio 89.3 FM Atlanta. Trying to keep plants alive

“To me leadership is the practice of guiding others toward a shared purpose by fostering trust, collaboration, and adaptability. Keeping a positive and open mindset can create the conditions for people to grow, navigate challenges, and succeed together. I look forward to learning with my colleagues and supporting one another’s growth while promoting a culture of knowledge sharing”

Alison Valk Emerging Technologies Librarian ( she/her) Current Projects ASPIRE

Virtual & Augmented Reality for Digital Preservation and Library Engagement Developing Educational programs in Libraries Mentor program for early career librarian and archivists Leading Vertically Integrated Program (VIP) course (Empathy Bytes)

Co-chair Library Faculty Review Committee Extended Reality Campus Working Group

Educause Presentation Authored my first book

AMBER Birthday: February 14 Zodiac Sign: Aquarius Hometown: Atlanta Hello! I’m

ABOUT ME

I would describe myself as a big-picture thinker that lovesturningideasintoactionandfindingcreativeways to make things run smoother. I’m passionate about growth, collaboration, and making an impact while enjoyingtheprocessalongtheway.

THINGS I LOVE Cozy cafes with good books Fall

Good food Exploring new cities Alone time

Outside of work, I’m an avid reader of books by Black authors across genres like romance, mystery, and sci-fi. I’m also a solo traveler and photographer that enjoys exploring new places, capturing unique moments, and diving into creative projects that spark my imagination.

Amelia Neumeister Research Communications Program Manager

EDUCATION

Fun Facts

• Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, The University of Alabama • Master of Arts in Emerging Media, The University of Georgia

• Atlanta Area Native

• Sewist/ Quilter • Started working at Georgia Tech in 2018 • Million Dollar Band Color Guard Member for 4 years, was on leadership for 2 years • I have two cats, Charlie and Ziggy. Charlie is solid white and Ziggy is solid black.

Snapshots of My Life

I made this full outfit!

Ziggy and Charlie

Contact

Email: aneumeister3@gatech.edu

My little sewing helper

2025 ATL Science Festival

ANA RUS T About Me

SPECIAL EDITION

SPECIAL EDITION

ABOUT ME

FUN FACTS

I'mAna. I joinedGeorgia Tech’s BuzzCard team in 2023 as anOps Customer Support Rep. I help oversee campus card production, support GT's Buzz AroundTown program, and card distribution for online students worldwide. I am currently pursuing a Master of Education throughUGA.

I'mpassionate about history and art. Inmy free time, I enjoy thrifting and sewing historical costumes for the Renaissance Festival. I love animals and currently have two cats and a flock of chickens.

B I O

CURRENT PROJECTS

Augusta, GA Hometown: 25 years old Age: UGA2022 Bachelor of Arts

International Shipping program in collaborationwith OMSCS ASPIRE Administer gtID# Requests Fall CardDistribution Buzz AroundTown

UGA -Inprogress Master of Education

“INORDERTOBE IRREPLACEACLE, ONEMUSTALWAYS BEDIFFERENT.” - COCOCHANEL

FAVORITETHINGTO BAKEAREGINGER MOLASSESCOOKIES

OPS CUSUMER SUPPORT REP

ANA RUST

BUZZCARD

Annemarie Karanja Financial Administrator, ChBE

Current Projects/Programs

Faculty Project Portfolio Management ASPIRE BeWell

Favorite Things

Favorite Quote: Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial Favorite Color: Baby Blue Favorite Hobbies: Hiking, Anime, Reading, Swimming,

Learning about different cultures, Puzzles Favorite Food: Baked Goods, Ice-cream Birthday: September 17

ARIEL GLADNEY

Strategic Connectedness Individualization Futuristic Restorative

Graduate Internship Program Manager

Current Projects:

Graduate Internship Program Handbook Data Dashboard Copilot Bot Culture and Professional Dev initiatives Internship Research

Interests Writing Poetry Meditiation Travel; Road Trips Hiking Favorites: Food: Anything bowl-a-fide, comfort foods, fruit Color: Black/Iridescent Places: My couch/ Aruba Quote: “The unexamined life is not worth living" (Socrates)

2/25: Textbook Pisces

Atl Native

“We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit” -Aristotle

Becky Williams

 GT Infrastructure & Sustainability – Planning, Design & Construction Interior Designer (since May 2023)  Have worked in the architecture and design industry for over 25 years at design and architecture firms in Ohio and Georgia  Interior Design degree from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio

 Born in Columbus, Ohio (September 2 nd )  Grew up in Kettering, Ohio (near Dayton)  3 younger brothers (all way taller than me)  Very large extended family (my mom was oldest of 11 kids!)  Moved to Georgia in 2002  Live in Powder Springs  Married to my husband John for 24 years  2 Kids – Jacob (12, 7 th grade), Abraham (7, 2 nd grade)  2-3 year old rescue pup – Hot Chocolate – shepherd mix  Likes – spending time with family, dark chocolate, reading, outdoors, hiking, camping, volleyball, Green Bay Packers football, Braves baseball, photography, painting, traveling

Breanna Durham ASPIRE Bio Marketing Strategist, CREATE-X at Georgia Tech

Hi! I’m Breanna, the marketing strategist in CREATE-X, a program within Georgia Tech’s Office of Commercialization dedicated to being an entrepreneurial launchpad for students. I lead the strategy and execution of all marketing efforts, from campaigns and website management to storytelling, to help CREATE-X grow in visibility, deepen engagement, and build a pipeline of future entrepreneurs and inventors. Whether I’m analyzing data, building content, or promoting events, I’m focused on making sure students discover the resources that can transform their academic and career journeys. I feel really excited in my career when I’m learning and when I get to share the awesome resources that exist, along with the stories of the amazing people I meet. I’m also Mental Health First Aid certified and passionate about creating spaces where people feel safe and seen. I’ve worked in higher education for five years but before that, I taught in South Korea for three years, to middle and high school students. My favorite teaching moment there was getting to run a cooking-themed English camp where I taught students about shrimp and grits. As a Southerner, it made me proud that a student asked to take a bag of grits home! Outside of teaching, I’ve also worked as a reporter, covering everything from crime to how water gets to your faucet. One of my favorite stories was on how a band director made a farm-to-table program at his school with a real farm on school grounds that he and the students made. There are so many things happening in our communities, and I loved highlighting them, especially when I saw impactful work being done. Off the clock, I love learning, exploring, and creating. I just started learning how to sew with machines, but I’ve been patchworking costumes since high school. I like to write fantasy and reading it too, and I also enjoy cooking new things. With friends, I’m the itinerary planner, and I love to play “What If” games on long walks or when hiking. If you want to ideate, geek out, or strategize, I’m your person!

Brian Garsh (he/him) Transfer Student Success Manager

MARCH 4

PROJECTS

GT 2000: Transfer Seminar Transfer2Tech Peer Mentor Program Transfer Year Experience Living-Learning Community Transfer Initiatives Committee Student Organization Advisor (Transfer Student Association, Hillel, Sigma Alpha Epsilon)

FAVORITES

Food: any type of seafood Hobbies: sports, cooking & baking, hanging out with friends and family, walking my dog Roscoe Season: Autumn Color: blue EDUCATION The College of New Jersey B.S., Chemistry Secondary Education University of Georgia M.Ed., College Student Affairs Administration Ph.D., Higher Education

1

RESPONSIBILITY

2

LEARNER

BELIEF

3

4

FOCUS

WOO

5

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind” - Bernard Baruch

Bri (Brianna) Palmer Events and Engagement Manager “Think of your energy as if it’s expensive. As if it’s like a luxury item. Not everyone can afford it.” - Taylor Swift

Hometown/Current Residence: I’m from a small town in North Georgia named Jasper, GA. I lived in Orlando, FL for eight years and attended the University of Florida. After I graduated, I moved to Seoul, South Korea for six months (specifically the Sinchon/Hongdae area, best time of my life). From there, I moved back home to Woodstock, GA. My fiancé and I are currently looking to move back to my hometown of Jasper in the next few years.

Intellection Empathy Relator Developer Futuristic

Personal Information/Interest: I love Korean food (hence the move to South Korea).

I enjoy refurbishing my home, playing in the garden, and crafting. I love to read, I have a current read goal of one book a week. I have two cats, Jiji and Zoro. They are the light of my fiancé and I’s livees. I have a wonderful partner, and soon to be husband, Michael. We met when I worked at Kennesaw State University and we will soon be married in Ireland. My favorite color is purple.

• GA born and raised • Married (Caitlyn); Two kids (Charlotte, Andrew)

Bryant Wine

• Communications Officer II, College of Computing • 17 years (and still going) in U.S. Army/GA Army National Guard

• Former high school social studies teacher and coach

• Play ice hockey, tennis, golf, and video games; brew beer; build Lego and plastic models • Fan of UGA football, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Penguins; Survivor

• NGCSU/UNG alumnus -B.A. History, Political Science -MAT Secondary Social Studies -M.A. History (World History)

Caira Samuels Human Resources Consultant

I am an HR professional with a knack for bridging people, policy, and data to create impactful results. Education North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University • MBA - Human Resource Management • B.S. in Psychology Professional Experience • Human Resources • Data Analytics & Reporting • Compensation • Talent Acquisition • HRIS

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde

Places I’ve lived

• Bowie, Maryland – Birthplace • Charlotte, North Carolina – where I grew up • Atlanta, Georgia – relocated August 1st, 2024

Things I like to do • Travel - Next trip is to Turks and Caicos this November • Read - I love to sit on my porch and read a good book • Concerts – I enjoy live music and music festivals • Learn – Watching documentaries, going to museums, and picking up new skills

Fun Facts • I had spinal fusion surgery when I was 13 • I am the middle child of 5 • My Grandfather is from Sierra Leone , and my father is Liberian

Carrie Grazier (she/her) Export Control Compliance Officer

 Education - B.S. University of Pittsburgh  Favorite Things

 Food – Tacos, pepperoni balls, chicken fingers  Hobbies – Reading, travel, learning new languages, TV shows, hanging out with my cats, walking while listening to podcasts  TV Shows – Gavin & Stacey, Schitt’s Creek, Ted Lasso, Gilded Age, Downton Abbey  Birthday – October 5  Current Projects  Ensure campus-wide compliance with export and trade regulations  Technology Control Plans  Foreign visitors and international travel

About me

Name: Dr. CharticeWyatt-Thermil

Birthday: December 1st

Hometown: Johnstown, PA

Location: Atlanta,GA

Professional

Assistant Athletics Director: Overseeing academic support for all student athletes & academic advisor for Women’s Basketball & Men’s Tennis Teams

Hobbies

Fun

Reading Walks in Nature Brunch Traveling Pittsburgh Steelers

Leadership

Servant & Transformational Leader

Favorite Quote: “Not everything that’s faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it’s faced”

B.A. in Marketing

M.S. in Exercise Science Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

Christie Berkowitz

I'm an interior designer living in Cumming, GA. I’ve been married to my husband, Richard, for 12 years, and we share our home with three wonderful pups—Asher, Finn, and Parker. I earned degrees from Berry College and Georgia Tech, and I currently work in I&S Planning, Design and Construction. My work focuses on projects for the College of Business, the College of Lifetime Learning, and Centrally Scheduled Classrooms, where I enjoy creating thoughtful, functional spaces that support learning and collaboration. Design has always been a passion of mine, and I love the challenge of blending aesthetics with purpose. Outside of work, I’m an avid reader, a hobbyist bread baker, and a big fan of concerts and musicals. I also enjoy hiking, playing video games

with Richard and spending time with friends—especially when it involves anything Dolly Parton related. Whether I’m designing a classroom or baking a fresh loaf of sourdough, I find joy in the details and in creating experiences that bring people together.

Christine Robinson Bio

Christine Robinson brings over two decades of executive administrative expertise to IPaT. Prior to joining the team, she served as an administrative specialist in the Dean’s Office at Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. Her leadership experience also includes serving as one of the former Directors of The Non-Profit Leadership Alliance at Georgia State. Originally from Charlotte, NC, Christine relocated to Atlanta, where she continues to pursue her creative passions—writing poetry, crafting custom candles, designing jewelry, and practicing freelance photography. At IPaT, Christine plays a vital role on the administrative team, supporting event coordination, procurement processes, and serving as the Executive Assistant to IPaT’s Executive Director.



Chris McKenney Video Producer/Director – Institute Communications

Work Experience • Worked at GT since Jan. 2023 • Experience with videography in Public Relations • Commercial Real Estate & Health and Wellness • Currently creating video/photo content for Research Communications

Hobbies/Interests/Fun Facts • Recently married (!!) • Proud cat father of two • Avid gamer • Built a PC from scratch • Street photographer • Works on short films in free time

F r o m E ast C a m pus to E ve n ts C e n t r al Fro East Ca pus to Events Central

Undergrad during the Wayne Clough years. East Campus dorm life in the 90s. Full circle—now at Scheller College of Business as Assistant Director of Events.

Grateful for a patient wife and two spirited daughters (7 and 5)—angelic one moment, tiny agents of chaos the next

Volunteer at the 1996 Olympics in the Olympic Village—an unforgettable experience in the heart of campus

“Traveler at heart. Sci-fi and comics fan. Tennis player. I LOVE Halloween!

Cody Martin Financial Manager II / Sponsored Research Consultant

How I got here

I began my career in Research Administration at UGA working in the Office of Sponsored Projects as a Grants Administrator I. I left UGA in 2023 as the Proposal Manager in the Office of Sponsored Projects. I worked at Harvard University as a Senior Grants and Contracts Manager within the School of Public Health. I started at GT in 2024 within the College of Computing at the School of Cybersecurity and Privacy at my current position.

“Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.” - Simon Sinek

Why do I want to be in leadership?

To inspire and motivate others to become subject matter experts To help others in this field reach their full potential and increase their knowledge base. To encourage collaboration amongst leaders within this field. Great leaders build great teams.

Personal Background

I have been married to my wife, Kari,for 13 years. We have 4 children, Brystal (12), Landyn (11), Emersyn (10), and Saydi (7). Currently, we are in the process of building our homestead in Franklin County.

Fun Fact: My favorite kind of vacation, is anywhere a cruise ship will take me.

Clifton Strengths Learner

Daniel Lyczak Data Scientist For Institutional Research & Planning

Strategic Achiever Relator Ideation

Favorite Things

Education

Color: blue and pink Food: sushi and popcorn (not together) Hobbies: gym, playing basketball, watching football, reading Author: Kurt Vonnegut Season: fall Sound: crackling fire, partner’s voice

DePaul University – BA in Philosophy University of Illinois UC – MBA Georgia Tech – MS Econometrics Georgia Tech – MS Analytics Georgia Tech – CSE (in Progress)

Assorted Qualifications

Fast Facts

 Ate a soft-shell taco with chopsticks  Platinum trophies FromSoft games  Drives a manual transmission  Undefeated at Chinese gameshows  Touched Michael Jordan's shoulder

 Born in Alabama, grew up in Chicago, lived abroad  Learning to longboard  No musical talent  I drink a lot of water

“He not busy being born is busy dying” – Bob Dylan

Daniel Stewart Enterprise Systems Engineer Current Projects • Workday Fall Release • Developing Workday training • GTAA Student Athlete Revenue Share Payment Infrastructure Favorite Things • Quote: Showing up is half the battle • Color: Black • Food: American Cuisine • Hobbies: Running 5Ks, Star Trek • Strength: Ideation

Leadership Journey I've always believed that people will do what needs to be done - if they understand what, why, and how. Unfortunately, individuals and teams often aren't aligned. That's where I come in. My passion lies in helping people and teams reach resonance.

Fun Facts & Strengths - My thumbs are two different shapes.

Professional Background As an Enterprise Systems Engineer, I specialize in managing and improving our use of Workday. My role involves translating business needs into technical requirements, designing and implementing system architectures, and monitoring system performance to ensure optimal functionality.

Document Accessibility Specialist turned Client Relationship Manager at the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation (CIDI), which is a part of the College of Design.

Home NW GA farm with pastures

- Bachelor ’ s in Psychology - Masters in Social Work * Technology Geek

A Couple of Passions

Rescuing neglected animals. Spaying/Neutering is SO important. There are not enough homes for all the cats & dogs in GA.

Enjoying Wildlife.

Presentations at Conferences • Accessing Higher Ground • AHEAD (Association on Higher Education and Disability) • ATIA (Assistive Technology Industry Association)

A Favorite Vacation Ginny Springs in High Springs, Florida

Don-Fiona Gould

" Life is like a camera... Focus on what's important, Capture the good times, Develop from the negatives, and if things don't work out, Take another shot. - Ziad K. Abdelnour

Professional Background:

o I began my professional journey as an elementary school teacher, working with 2nd and 3rd grade students. o After two years in the classroom, I transitioned into Social Services, where I supported children and families for over eight years. o This work eventually led me to higher education, where I’ve spent the last eight years focused on academic advisement. o In my current role as an Academic Advisor II at Georgia Tech, I provide academic support and guidance to students in the GTPE Online MS in Cybersecurity Program. o I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in School Counseling. Hobbies & Interest: o Reading - I’m an avid reader who enjoys quiet weekends curled up in my window nook with my Kindle and a warm cup of tea. o Music - I also have a love for music, especially the guitar, and plan to gift myself one soon so I can begin teaching myself to play.

Current Projects/Affiliations:

Erin Traci Jackson, M.Ed. Academic Advisor II and GraduateCoordinator Hometown/Current Residence: I moved to Georgia when I was four years old and grew up in Stone Mountain ▪ I now live in Atlanta, GA/Camp Creek area ▪ I’m originally from Chicago, IL ▪

ASPIRE

•

• GT Advisory Board for Student Well-Being Board Member (2022-present)

• Developing Class Schedule(s) for the School of Music (2021-present)

• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Member (2010-present)

Personal Info :

I have two amazing siblings, both sisters and I am the middle child.

I’m obsessed with ALL things fall!

My birthday is (October 29 th ) so I’m sure that’s why.

My college sweetheart and I have been married since 2019

My daughter, Charli, (photographed above) is my whole heart!

I’ve been with USG for eleven years and have

worked at four different institutions within the system: ABAC ,

My Most Favorite Things :

University of West Georgia , Clayton State University and now

Fav color: Yellow

•

Georgia Tech .

Fav quote: “Trust the process”

•

Fav food: I’m part Creole so all things seafood

•

Fav Movies: Hocus Pocus and Selena

•

• Fav hobbies: spending time with my family, traveling, shopping, listening to music

Fav sports team: (Who Dat!)

•

Fabianna (Faby) Vallejos Senior Admission Advisor, Undergraduate Admission The Journey • Joined GT January 2023 and I am part of the First-Year team within Undergraduate Admission

• I lead all the outreach and programming for Community Based Organizations (CBOs) + read over 3,500 applications + travel to North-East Georgia to recruit the most talented amazing students!! • Prior to Tech, I worked for a CBO for about 4 years and have a passion for serving the community and helping students achieve their full potential Consistency Relator Deliberative

Harmony Discipline

Fabianna (Faby) Vallejos Mom, Wife, Family Party Planner The Joy Birthday: May 1

Hobbies: Spending time with my husband, daughter and our pup, Leo. I love anything creative like photography (self-taught), interior decorating, finding gems on Facebook Marketplace, anything décor or fashion. I very much enjoy being horizontal- preferably naps. Hometown: Originally from Lima, Peru but was mostly raised in Gwinnett, GA

Favorite Food: Peruvian, Mexican and KBBQ!! Favorite Quote: “Education is Liberation.”

Georgina Jimenez AcademicAdvisor II

Road to Georgia Tech

Birthday December 10 th

UGA graduate K-12 Teacher Academic Advisor (KSU/GT)

Family dog: Leo 2 black cats: Abby & Chloe Fa dog: Le ack cat by & C Pets

MyFavorite Book Genre: fantasy Music : all kinds, but a major Swiftie Food: Korean BBQ Color : Maroon Holiday: Christmas

Time w/ family/friends/pets Reading Escape rooms/puzzles Geocaching Kayaking/hiking TV/Movies family pets Rea les ing K akin iking Things IEnjoy

“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt “ the n mes re h new though ” anor s v t FavoriteQuote

Heather Duncan, M.B.A.

Administrative Leader

Core Skills and Competencies: ● Cross-Functional Project Management ● Legal Documentation and Regulatory Compliance ● Financial Analysis & Budget Forecasting ● Organizational Practitioner current “love” project is improving the quality of public education in Georgia as a Board of Education member. I hold a deep belief in continuous improvement and leadership development, aligning closely with the mission to develop ethical, innovative, and impactful leaders. My hope is that this Leadership Academy will allow me to continue to sharpen my skills in the service of others. My

A quote to remember when in service

Recent photo

Tybee Island, I love road trips and the beach!

My kids and I

Favourite quote: ● “Success is self defined, hard to achieve and worth every moment of its pursuit.” - Heather Duncan Favourite colour: ● Orange, all my personalized gifts are always given to me in orange! Favourite Food: ● Any kind of curried dish is my favourite- stew peas, oxtails, curry goat, you name it Favourite hobbies: ● I enjoy running, bike riding, hiking, and spending time with my family Birthday: ● November 20th, Scorpio Fun fact: ● I played/participated in just about every sport in high school, except for swim team

Jac lyn O ’ N eil Jaclyn O’Neil Event Coordinator II “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” - Peter Drucker

Clifton Strengths:

Restorative | Responsibility | Discipline | Belief | Developer

About Me

My bestie, Danielle!

Will nerd out on...

Minecraft Green Bay Packers Anything spooky

Jellyfish Theme Parks Disney Sweet Treats Fortnite

Involvement

Chloe!

Favorite Colors

My fiancé, Josh!

Joe Barnette Current Projects Co-op & Internship Database Co-op & Internship Binder Briaerean Honor Society Student Worker Management Co-op & Internship PowerPoints Co-op & Internship Specialist

Favorite Things Quote: “A goal is a dream with a deadline.” -Napoleon Hill Color: Pink Hobbies: Nintendo video games, reality television, horror movies Food: Potato Soup (family recipe) Birthday: February 15 th Movie: Everything, Everywhere, All at Once Music: Electronic, Pop, Lo-fi

Relator Learner Communication Futuristic Focus

Jared, my partner (isn’t he cute?!)

My family, left to right: Jenn (mom), Joe (dad), Jay (sister), Jenna (sister), Joe

Kat Bell (she/her) —Digital Communication Specialist

Current Projects: - GTPE’s Social Media Management - Creative Management of the Lifetime Learning Symposium - Strategic Content Development - GTPE Photography Favorite Things:

Hobbies: Art of all kinds — particularly photography and painting, planning/throwing parties, traveling, cuddling my cat and dog, drag shows, and spending quality time with my husband. Vacation: My husband and I traveled all over France for our honeymoon. Every stop was amazing! I would really like to go to Maine soon to see the trees change color! Color: Anything and everything Fall. TV Show: Gilmore Girls Food: Eggs Benedict

My cat Alastor

My dog Brady

(left) I once met a guy carrying his reptiles around ATL, and he let me hold them! (Right) Plane Jane threw her coat at me at Ru Paul’s Drag Race Live! (Bottom) My best friends surprised me with a silly photoshoot at my bachelorette party!

Kristin Lowe

Hello! I am a strategic storyteller who loves to travel, read books, and spend time outdoors. I believe empathy and service can make the world a better place. I am thrilled to be joining the ASPIRE program to learn more about impactful leadership. Let’s Go!

Lowe Love

n

s o

e r

m e

e p

a n

r i t

d

v o

m y

f a

Millie Mae Lowe

Sign:

Aquarius

Movies: Music: Season:

PBS Masterpiece Series

Pop and classic rock

Summer transitioning to autumn

I Love

my Job!

Scheller MarCom Team

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

West-coast transplant

Fun Facts:

I have five kids, ages 8 - 18

I am serious about my sleep

I hate the cold

I love going on dates with my husband

Dream Day = Book + Rain + Baked Goods

My 6 child is my Bernese Mountain Dog th

Office of the Chief Research Operations Officer (CROO) Krystal McNally Project Support Specialist

Projects

About Me

• Limited Submissions • CROO Search Committee SME • CROO Culture Committee Leadership • Primary liaison for Return to Office Initiative within Research Operations and Infrastructure and Research Development

➢ Born in Texas ➢ Raised in Georgia ➢ Lived in Ireland for 10 years

Favorite Things

Clifton Strengths Empathy Developer Harmony Input Positivity

Development

➢ Hanging out with my kiddos ➢ My doggo, Murphy ➢ Exploring Atlanta ➢ Travel and concerts ➢ Crumbl Cookies

• Psychology student at Kennesaw State University • ASPIRE at Georgia Tech

What my kids say about me: “I love it when we do art together. She is very fun to hang out with.”

• Projects • Bachelor of Business Administration (in process) • ASPIRE • LinkedIN Learning • Customer Service Excellence • Favorite Things • Hobbies: Spending timewith family, traveling and watching movies. • Color: Orange • Food: Cake • Birthday: August 10 (LEO) LaShundra Y Barber(she/her) AP Analyst

“If we’re growing, we’re always going to be out of our comfort zone.” -John c, Maxwell

Lee Yarbrough ( she/her) Administrative Professional Sr Office of International Education

Fun Facts • Lived in South Korea for 7 years • Love murder mystery novels • But…my favorite author is Terry Pratchett • Obsessed with my physical planner • Recently into fountain pens

Background • From Valdosta, GA

• Over a decade in the USG system • Over 18 years in higher education

Currently • Worked at OIE for 10 months

• In charge of “front of house” operations • Supervise 5 Front Desk Student Assistants

Leonard Lamb

Family and Personal Family & Personal Life Proud husband + dad of two boys. Wife: From travel nurse → CRNA school full-time. Sidelines regular: soccer, goldendoodle and football dad. Balance = career growth + family first

Career Moves

Georgia Tech (2023–Present) UCLA Anderson: Loyola Marymount Emory Law Emory Autism School

Life on the Move From: Columbus, Georgia 2017: Left Atlanta with a newborn → Norther California to Ladera Heights 2022: California and Georgia RE Licenses 2023: Returned to Atlanta when oldest started high school.

LILA DAHAL

ABOUT ME

Hello I’m Lila Dahal. I am originally from Nepal. I moved to US in 2008. I graduated from Kennesaw State University and joined GT in 2017.

MY FAVORI TES

FUN FACTS/HOBBI ES

Cheesecake

Running

13,350 feet

I like endurance training and learning languages!!!

As you sow, so shall you reap.

26.2 miles

Loretta Felix (she/her) Administrative Program Manager

GOLD Have worked in undergraduate admission and enrollment management for 10 years. This is such an exciting time in a student’s life and love being apart of this chapter. Background Moved from California to Roswell, GA in 2022.

XXX Lorem Ipsum

Currently

NAVY

Professionally - Provide administrative support for Enrollment Management. This is a new position with the goal of building a team of

administrative assistants. Personally - New mom to Laurel (9 months).

Fun Facts

Prefer the beach over the mountains. Favorite take out food is Thai. Enjoy reading, being active, spending time with family, friends and our playful pup, Bodhi ( he can flip!).

Lori Smith (She/Her) Challenge and Climbing Coordinator, Campus Recreation

Hometown

-​ Forsyth, GA

Education

-​ Georgia Institute of Technology -​ Bachelors of Science in Architecture

Favorite Color -​ Purple

Hobbies

-​ Escape Rooms -​ Being a couch potato with my dog! -​ Playing board games and video games -​ Rewatching my favorite TV shows

-​ Friends, Big Bang Theory, Supernatural, and Nailed It

Favorite Food -​ Savory: Texas Roadhouse Roadkill with Mashed Potatoes -​ Sweet: Cheesecake

Clifton Strengths -​ Relator -​ Empathy

-​ Individualization -​ Adaptability -​ Restorative

Marsi Ellis Administrative Professional Sr. ISyE

“LAZY PEOPLE WORK TWICE AS HARD”

Criticalthinkerwithproblem solvingfocus Strongleadershipandteam support Efficientanddetail-oriented Lowtoleranceforinefficiency Advocateforaccountabilityand fairness

Fun Fact: I’m the most responsible child I know — a TRUE Aries ♈ who loves family, food, and fun. Professional Edge: Known for my low tolerance for inefficiency and strong commitment to accountability Your paragraph text

Projects Streamline faculty travel and expense reporting Lead administrative support

for ISyE Chair’s Office Promote efficiency and accountability in admin workflows

Adjusting to first-time solo living (true Aries energy ✨ ) Supporting daughter Jazzlyn’s college launch at Temple University

Detail Oriented

Outgoing

Michael Jones (he/him) Administrative Professional

Adaptable

Strategic

Favorite Quote : “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy”

Efficient

Proactive

Creative

Favorite Hobbies: Reading, Writing, Cooking, Fishing, Bike Riding, Traveling, Arts & Crafts, Singing, Camping

Favorite Colors : Burgundy, Forest Green, Gray, Brown/Tan

Favorite Foods: Southern Cuisine, Pastas/Italian Cuisine, Homemade Baked Goods Community Engagement: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Georgia Tech Brothers Connection (GTBC),

Birthday: December 7th

Assistant Director of Admin Ops, Office of the Provost

• A. French Building kitchen renovation • GT 1000 instruction • Revamping OOPro Employee Engagement & Culture Council website • OOPro Fall 2025 town halls • Being a collaborative ASPIRE cohort mate! • Favorite Quote: “If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good. If you play good, they pay good.” – Deion Sanders • Favorite Color: Green • Favorite Foods: Mexican & Jamaican • Favorite Hobbies: Music, podcasts, piano, travel & baseball mom life! • Favorite Movies: Coming to America & The Sound of Music • Favorite Destinations: South Africa & Jamaica • Favorite Holiday: My Birthday! (April 8)

Hello! I’m

NIKKI STARNES

Executive Assistant

Birthday: June 8

Hometown: Athens, GA

ABOUT ME

Currently, I serve as the Executive Assistant to the EVP for Administration & Finance. I hold an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. Outside of work, you’ll find me trying new restaurants & recipes, or curating the perfect playlist.

THINGS I LOVE Learning new things, cooking, music, traveling, time with loved ones, fall, orchids Colors : green, blue, maroon Food : tacos, sushi, nerds clusters, cookies Quote : “We lift as we climb.” (Mary Church Terrell)

Hello! I’m

NIKKI STARNES

BEYOND THE OFFICE I’m a curious traveler and lifelong learner who enjoys exploring new ideas, cultures, and experiences. Whether I’m planning a trip, diving into a new project, or enjoying time with family and friends, I find energy in curiosity and connection.

LOOKING AHEAD I’m excited to grow through the ASPIRE program, strengthen my leadership toolkit, connect with peers across the institution, and prepare for roles that allow me to expand my impact beyond executive support into broader leadership opportunities.

Nisha Kukreja

Program & Operations Manager – ChBE / CoE

• Current Role: support multiple programs and faculties at ChBE in the finance and administration functions • I am a problem solver , love to solve problems, set challenging goals and strive to achieve them. • Favorite Things: watching TV/Movie (though I don’t have much time to do it) • My Motto: Do your best in whatever you do • Favorite Quote: tomorrow never comes • Free time: hiking/walking, • Fun Facts: I love playing tennis. I knit and crochet (though please don’t ask me what my recent “finished” project was), and I will never turn down Chips & Salsa .

Looking forward to get to get to know all of you!

NYEELAH MATTHEWS Senior Program & Operations Manager, Office of Student Achievment

.” — John Maxwell

“Growth inside fuels growth outside

tive who moved to

Hello! I’m Nyeelah Matthews, a Los Angeles na Atlanta for college and decided to make it hom relationship-driven professional who values b data, and I believe the two together can spark connections and lasting impact. My mission is and organizations reach their fullest potential by leveraging innovative strategies, fostering collaboration, and building systems that support sustainable success. e. I’m a oth people and meaningful

to help individuals

Family, Food, Fellowship (personal mantra) Psychology Community Engagement Pilates Cooking new recipes Traveling Favorite Things:

Olivia Cusimano

EDUATION ABROAD COORDINATOR OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

ABOUT ME

BACKGROUND

I started at the institute in June of 2024, so I just celebrated my one-year GT anniversary. Prior to this role, I was an Advisor in the Education Abroad office at University of North Georgia. I am a graduate of the University of Mississippi (Hotty Toddy!) where I studied International Studies, Spanish, and Journalism. After graduation, I lived in Madrid, Spain for two years where I worked as a secondary education teacher.

Hi all! My name is Olivia and I’m originally from Suwanee, GA. I am the Education Abroad Coordinator at OIE and have loved my time at Tech so far! I’m looking forward to meeting you all and discovering more about how to apply my leadership skills.

HOBBIES

traveling concerts/ listening to music photography cooking/ entertaining dancing thrift shopping/ antiquing hiking/ spending time outside checking out different cafes, breweries, and restaurants around Atlanta

CURRENT PROJECTS

EDUCATION ABROAD PEER ADVISORS MANAGING THE @GTABROAD INSTAGRAM EVENT PLANNING AND RECRUITMENT EA APPLICATION MANAGEMENT

FUN FACTS

FAVORITE QUOTE

Favorite Color: Purple Currently Watching: The Summer I Turned Pretty Currently Reading: Daisy Jones & the Six

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine

Parvaneh (Pari) Javanmard Financial Analyst III – Georgia Tech Professional Education (GTPE)

"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." – Jane Goodall

Career Journey Parvaneh (Pari) Javanmard is a dedicated financial professional with a strong background in higher education finance and accounting.

2019 – Began career at University of West Georgia (UWG) as an Accountant Associate, advancing to Accountant Intermediate.

2021 – Joined Kennesaw State University (KSU) as a Senior Accountant, later promoted to Business Manager.

2024 – Present – Transitioned to Georgia Tech Professional Education (GTPE) as a Financial Analyst III, focusing on process improvement, financial reporting, and strategic analysis.

Current Projects at GTPE - ASPIRE initiative - Streamlining processes for non-credit grants

- Improving non-credit revenue transfer procedures - Ensuring timely posting of fees on non-credit projects - Enhancing audit alignment and reconciliation processes Personal Interests

Food: Enjoys Persian cuisine (favorite restaurants: Rumi’s and Yalda).

Movies: A fan of fantasy and sci-fi, especially Marvel (more than DC).

Also, big fan of Harry Potter.

Traveling with Family and Friends.

Birthday: September 4th

Roberta Houston-Howard

Telecommunications Technician/Network Engineering

Current Projects ● Title IV Sexual Misconduct Hearing Panelist ● OIT Culture Committee ● Employee Engagement/Staff Council Problem-solver, commitment to excellence, integrity What brings me joy

● Hiking ● Biking ● Skiing ● Traveling

Favorite color: Purple Birthday: October 13 Favorite food: Mexican (Colorado and New Mexico style) Home town: Denver, Co; Moved to Atlanta in 2017 Clubs : Cycling, Hiking-(chasing waterfalls), Girltrek-health education Favorite quote: "Inner peace is the key: if you have inner peace, the external problems do not affect your deep sense of peace and tranquility.” - The Dalai Lama

Interesting fact about me: I was a line person for the telephone company and climbed telephone poles.

Hello! I’m Robyn Cook (they/them) Education

Bachelor of Science - Communications University of Illinois at Springfield

Master of Science - Public Policy DePaul University

Strengths: Woo Positivity Restorative Individualization Connectedness

CurrentProjects: GTMove-in/out Logistics

I lovetocook.

SEWBCelebrationsCommittee

HRL PlanningCommittee

QuarterlyDinner Parties

APSHighSchool Mentoring

HigherEdJourney

Resident Assistant

Area Coordinator

Grad Assistant

Hall Director

Slow and steady wins the race.

Project Support Specialist, Sr.

-- Favorite Color

Sarah Grace Alexander Program and Operations Manager, ECE

Professional Experience

I started at Georgia Tech in June of 2024. Prior to that, I worked for two and a half years as a Project Manager for Gideon's Promise, a nonprofit that provides nationwide training for public defenders. Prior to that, I worked for six years with the Georgia Public Defender Council coordinating training logistics for public defenders across the state. After graduating from college, I lived in Malawi, Africa for two years, where I taught English and managed an after-school program at an orphanage school.

Personal Info/Interests

My hobbies are reading, plants, traveling, watching TV/movies, gardening, and cooking. I enjoy exploring/visiting new bookshops and coffee shops. I started a nonprofit called Roots of Hope to provide educational scholarships for orphans in Malawi. I love going to concerts and shows.

M A L A W I

Just a few of my plants

Shannon Tillison Content Strategist | Administration and Finance

Born and raised in Roswell, GA, I lived in Alabama, Michigan, South Carolina, and Louisiana before returning to Atlanta, GA. In my current role, I use data to inform decisions regarding content creation, communications, website development, and storytelling for all Administration and Finance units (over 20!) at Georgia Tech. An alumni of Jacksonville State University, I have a background in app development, data collection and analysis, website creation and management, graphic design, and environmental advocacy.

• Running, going on walks, biking, hiking, and swimming • Dogs and my 2 cats :) • Traveling • Video games and movies • River days on the Cha ahoochee • Exploring nature • Korean, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese food • Spending time with friends • Reading Favorite Things

O P E R A T I ON S S P E C I A L I S T STEPHANIE STEPHENS

Hi! I’m Stephanie a inspring journalist and PR strategist with a passion for amplifying Black voices and culture. I’am a recent graduate at Georgia State University majoring in and Journalism/PR. I love building stories that inform, inspire, and move people to action.

T H A T P R G I R L S T E P H A N I E

Current Projects Oh So Black Media Founder: I just launched a media platform celebrating hip hop, fashion, and Black culture through bold, community first storytelling.

Fun Things Loves to Travel Favorite color: Pink Favorite Hobby: Going to concerts Birthday: Dec 7

Tai Winters (She/Her)

Human Resources Manager – Office of the Provost and Office of the EVPR

About Me: Hometown: Winston, GA / Douglasville, GA Education: MBA – Southern New Hampshire University, BBA –

Focus Areas: • Employee Engagement • Process Improvement • Workforce Planning • Strategic Alignment

Georgia State University Birthday: September 8 MBTI – INTJ DiSC - Conscientiousness

Favorite Things: Quote : "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." - Oscar Wilde Concept: Kintsugi (“Golden Repair”) Color: Blue Word: Plethora Hobby: Spending time with family and friends, binge-watching a good Netflix series, sports, anime/comics, dancing, listening to music, researching interesting topics Food: Pizza, Tex-Mex, Wings, Sweets/Dessert

Tiffany S.Finley Human Resources Manager PHR, SHRM-CP

Current Projects:

New Hire Manager Onboarding Checklist Development Position Request Workflow Optimization Job Description Communication & Collection Process Enhancement Hiring Manager SOP Guide Creation Employee Emergency Contact Protocol Implementation Staff Council Employee Engagement Committee HR Newsletter Content & Distribution Strategy Onboarding Toolkit Review Manager and Staff Training Planning

Favorite Things:

Favorit Quote: "I work so hard to earn my place and good things come to those who wait.” - Daley Favorite Color : Red Favorite Hobby : Cooking, Yoga, High Intensity Workout, Dancing, Traveling, Cultural Foodie Lover, Concerts, Coaching Youth Soccer, Community Involvement. Favorite Food : Seafood Birthday : Nov 22nd