Woodruff Young Alumni Council
The Woodruff Young Alumni Council is an initiative aimed at bolstering engagement among young alumni while supporting the School's strategic plan. As part of this endeavor, 20 inaugural members have been selected. Joining the Woodruff Young Alumni Council presents an exceptional opportunity for young alumni to maintain their involvement with the school and actively contribute to shaping the future of mechanical engineering and nuclear and radiological engineering.
Vision
The Woodruff Young Alumni Council (YAC) plays a fundamental role in increasing engagement among mechanical engineering (ME) and nuclear and radiological engineering (NRE) students and recent graduates by providing targeted professional development, amplifying impact and innovation, and enhancing the student and young alumni experience.
About the Council
YAC currently consists of 23 undergraduate and graduate alumni and is focused on strengthening connections among young alumni, current students, and the Woodruff School. Council members serve as ambassadors, mentors, volunteers, and advocates for the School’s continued success.
Co-Chairs
- John Gattuso, ME 2015
- Siddharth “Sid” Gore, M.S. ME 2020
To get in contact with the Woodruff Young Alumni Council, please reach us at yac@me.gatech.edu.
Current YAC Members


Malavika Bagepalli
M.S. ME 2018, Ph.D. ME 2022
Rosenfeld Building Science Fellow
Berkeley Lab
Berkeley, CA

Jacqueline Buzzett
ME 2020
Senior Technology Analyst
Accenture
Atlanta, GA

John Gattuso
ME 2015
CEO
FIXD Automotive, Inc
Atlanta, GA

Ahmad Haider
M.S. ME 2011, Ph.D. ME 2016
Senior Director, Data and Advanced Analytics, Vertex Phamaceuticals
CEO, Trikal Technology Solutions Private Limited
Dawsonville, GA

John Hooie
ME 2017, M.S. ANLT 2021
Investor
Tusk Venture Partners
Atlanta, GA

Imane Mokri
ME 2020
Propulsion Engineer
Delta Air Lines
Peachtree City, GA

Wale Odukomaiya
ME 2013, M.S. ME 2015, Ph.D. ME 2018
Director, New Product Development
AtmosZero
Denver, CO

Aaron Shaw
ME 2010, M.S. ME 2013
Senior Director, Energy Transition Solutions - Global
GE Digital
Decatur, GA

Amanda Bock
ME 2020, M.S. ME 2022
Senior Propulsion Analytics Engineer
Delta Air Lines
Smyrna, GA

Matthew DeIulio
ME 2009
Patent Attorney
Dority & Manning, P.A.
Greenville, SC

Siddharth "Sid" Gore
M.S. ME 2020
Sr. Systems Engineer, Engineering Leadership Development Program
Lockheed Martin
Arlington, VA

James Hazzard
ME 2021
Associate - Software Engineer II
BlackRock
Atlanta, GA

Brian Kern
NRE 2005, M.S. ME 2006
Assistant Department Manager, Engineering
Institute of Nuclear Power Operations
Marietta, GA

Shweta (Shay) Natarajan
ME 2009, M.S. ME 2012
Partner
Mobility Impact Partners
New York, NY

Myela Paige
M.S. ME 2018, Ph.D. ME 2021
Manager, Strategic Insights and Analytics
Carter’s Inc.
Atlanta, GA

Taylor Sparacello
ME 2021
Sustainability Engineer
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Jazmine Brite
ME 2015
Strategy and Operations Program Manager
Google
New York, NY

Cleve Fann
ME 2005
Senior VP of Region External Affairs
Georgia Power Company
Marietta, GA

Ashley Goulding
M.S. ME 2016, Ph.D. MSE 2016
Director, Organization Effectiveness
Novelis
Atlanta, GA

Kelly Hon
ME 2011, M.S. ME 2012
Sr. Manager, Product Development Engineering
BD
San Diego, CA

Caitlin Leksana
ME 2016, M.S. ME 2017
Founder & CEO
Carma
Cambridge, MA

David Montes de Oca Zapiain
ME 2014, M.S. ME 2015, Ph.D. ME 2019
Senior Member of Technical Staff
Sandia National Laboratories
Albuquerque, NM

Mihir Pathak
ME 2008, M.S. ME 2010, Ph.D. ME 2013
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
Pathak Ventures
Philadelphia, PA
Woodruff School Young Alumni Council (YAC) Application
Are you a Georgia Tech ME or NRE alum passionate about giving back? YAC is a group of engaged young alumni dedicated to supporting students, strengthening the Woodruff School alumni network, and advancing the School’s mission.
To be eligible, applicants must hold at least one ME or NRE degree from Georgia Tech and have graduated within the last 15 years. Members serve three-year terms, attend six virtual meetings and one in-person meeting annually, and volunteer in meaningful ways—such as mentoring, speaking, or serving as a judge for one of our many initiatives. Members may live anywhere, and all meetings offer a virtual option, though in-person participation is encouraged.
Applications for 2024 are now closed.
The next application cycle will open mid-July, 2025.
Weekly Announcements
Want to share announcements, events, or resources with members of the Young Alumni Council? Submit your updates to Courtney Sykes, Woodruff Young Alumni Council Advisor, at courtney.sykes@gatech.edu. Submissions are due each Tuesday by 5 p.m.
Contact Us

Courtney Sykes
Alumni Program Manager
Woodruff Young Alumni Council Advisor
courtney.sykes@gatech.edu
O: 404-894-4031