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

YAC
Malavika Bagepalli

Malavika Bagepalli 

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

Jacqueline Buzzett

Jacqueline Buzzett 

ME 2020
Senior Technology Analyst 
Accenture 
Atlanta, GA 

John Gattuso

John Gattuso 

ME 2015
CEO 
FIXD Automotive, Inc 
Atlanta, GA 
 

Ahmad Haider

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

John Hooie 

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

Imane Mokri

Imane Mokri 

ME 2020
Propulsion Engineer 
Delta Air Lines 
Peachtree City, GA 

Blank

Wale Odukomaiya

ME 2013, M.S. ME 2015, Ph.D. ME 2018
Director, New Product Development
AtmosZero

Denver, CO

Aaron Shaw

Aaron Shaw 

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

Amanda Bock

Amanda Bock 

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

Matthew DeIulio

Matthew DeIulio  

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

Siddharth "Sid" Gore

Siddharth "Sid" Gore

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

James Hazzard

James Hazzard

ME 2021
Associate - Software Engineer II
BlackRock
Atlanta, GA
 

Brian Kern

Brian Kern  

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

Shweta (Shay) Natarajan

Shweta (Shay) Natarajan

ME 2009, M.S. ME 2012
Partner
Mobility Impact Partners
New York, NY 

Myela Paige

Myela Paige 

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

Atlanta, GA 

Taylor Sparacello

Taylor Sparacello  

ME 2021
Sustainability Engineer 
Emory University  
Atlanta, GA

Hold

Jazmine Brite

ME 2015
Strategy and Operations Program Manager
Google

New York, NY

Hold

Cleve Fann

ME 2005
Senior VP of Region External Affairs

Georgia Power Company
Marietta, GA

Ashley Goulding

Ashley Goulding

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

Kelly Hon

Kelly Hon  

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

Caitlin Leksana

Caitlin Leksana 

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

David Montes de Oca Zapiain

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

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

Courtney Sykes

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