The Steven A. Denning Technology & Management (T&M) Program helps create cross-functional leaders in technology and business-related fields by building upon Georgia Tech’s outstanding programs and curriculum. Classes emphasize experiential learning and include hands-on elements, allowing Denning T&M students the opportunity to offer interdisciplinary-team solutions to real-world problems faced by the program’s corporate affiliates.
The Denning T&M Program is open to all Georgia Tech undergraduate students, including the Scheller College of Business, the College of Computing, the College of Engineering, the College of Design, the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, and the College of Sciences.
Business and Engineering students who complete the program earn a 22-credit minor in Engineering & Business. Computer Science and IT Management students earn a minor in Computing & Business. Students from all other colleges earn a minor in Technology & Business.
Vision: To develop a generation of collaborative, professionally adept, ethical, and successful business leaders with an openness to seeking and learning from alternative points of view and with the capability to leverage technology to improve the state of the world.
Mission: To be the flagship interdisciplinary program at Georgia Tech, offering minors at the intersections of technology and business, involving rigorous academic and professional training in collaboration with world-class faculty and corporate partners across a breadth of industries.
There are two sides to the program: students and corporate affiliates, and the five-member T&M faculty/staff team, with the support of our exceptional professors, bridge these two sides. Additionally, as the alumni base expands, the team strives to incorporate them into the program whenever possible.
When it comes to supporting our students, we offer rigorous academic challenges paired with events to encourage their growth as individuals and team members. We categorize our events as career development, corporate partnerships, academic, international, alumni-centered, community building, and administrative.
When it comes to establishing and nurturing our corporate partnerships, the T&M Program team works closely with each affiliate to meet their specific innovation and hiring needs. From on-site visits by our Administrative Director and Senior Manager, Corporate Relations & Student Counseling to office takeovers, the T&M career fair, and capstone project development, mentoring, and execution, we listen intently and execute process improvement to benefit affiliates and students alike.
This report includes our curriculum and information on our events to create a broad view of the T&M Program’s opportunities. In addition, it will touch on students, alumni, and corporate affiliates to show the unique ecosystem known across Georgia Tech as one of the exceptional offerings available to undergraduate students
Leadership Update
Dr. Han Zhang has completed the final of his nine-year term as the Faculty Director of the Steven A. Denning Technology & Management Program. He is a Professor in Information Technology Management (ITM) and the Steven A. Denning Professor of Technology & Management. He has decided to not seek another three-year term. We thank him for his years of guidance and especially his trademark speech ending phrase, “T&M Rocks!”
A search for a new Faculty Director is currently underway with the goal of having the new director in place during the 2025 fall semester.
Faculty, Staff, and Student Assistants
The T&M Program staff have been working together under the guidance of Faculty Director Han Zhang for eight years and Administrative Director Bob Burgess for 11 years. Sheena Brown (Academic Program Manager) handles all events, student recruiting and attrition, scholarships, and finances. Anne Lynch’s work with alumni has led to her being promoted to Director of Alumni Relations as she continues to engage with our 841 alumni in many ways including working with current student’s Capstone Projects. John Stanford (Senior Manager, Industry Engagement & Student Counseling) coordinates all activities with Corporate Affiliates and counsels with students on career goals, internship and full-time job opportunities, and other issues they may have.
JC Hansen, senior undergraduate office assistant, led his peers Rylei Brown, Sam Hansen, Terry Moore, and Pennon Shue as undergraduate office assistants. Together they run T&M events, answer student questions, and support faculty and staff with projects.
Admissions and Program Statistics
Sixty-two students from the T&M Program Class of 2025 completed minors in either Computing & Business, Engineering & Business, or Technology & Business. In Fall 2025, 64 students in the Class of 2026 will begin the Pre-Capstone class, and 60 students in the newly admitted Class of 2027 will begin classes. The Class of 2027 has an average GPA of 3.76 and spans 15 Georgia Tech majors. Women students represent 48% of this class, Under-represented minorities make up 41%.
Aerospace Engineering (AE)
Architecture (Arch)
Biomedical Engineering (BME)
Business Administration (BA)
IT Management
Finance
Marketing
Strategy & Innovation
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CHBE)
Civil Engineering (CE)
Computer Engineering (CMPE)
Computer Science (CS)
Construction Science & Management (CNSM)
Electrical Engineering (EE)
Industrial Design (ID)
Industrial Engineering (IE)
Environmental Science (ENVS)
Literature, Media & Communications (LMC)
Mechanical Engineering (ME)
Class of 2027 Demographics by College
Class of 2027 Demographics by College
Demographics by Gender from 2016-2027
Demographics by US Citizenship from 2016-2027
The percentage of majors and concentrations represented in the T&M Program from the Scheller College of Business are found in the graph below:
The percentage of majors and concentrations represented in the T&M Program from the College of Engineering over the years are found in the graph below:
29% Acceptance Rate
There have been 3,658 applications received through the Class of 2027, with 1047 students accepted into the program.
92% Graduation Rate
There have been 919 students starting the program through the Class of 2025, with 841 earning one of the three T&M minors.
Enrollment Growth by College through Class of 2027 College of Engineering
Enrollment Growth by College through 2027 (Total Enrollment = 1,060)
Minors
Curriculum
Class of 2025 Academic Updates
Dr. Eric Overby and Dr. Karthik Ramachandran each taught our first-year students as a cohort, with the year culminating in a poster competition on April 21, 2025. Also, Scheller College majors (that are not IT management majors) took coursework with Dr. David Ku and Dr. John Cressler.
In Dr. Eric Overby’s “Analysis of Emerging Technologies,” students learned a structured approach to analyzing an emerging technology. They applied that approach to several emerging technologies, including those related to artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, energy and transportation technologies, and more.
As part of Overby’s course, student teams present to guest speakers, which allows for richer discussion. Teams also roleplayed as podcasters on sustainability-themed topics. Dr. Overby selected the top three teams to refine their presentations and compete against each other in the second semester at an event called, “Emerging Technology Symposium ”
Emerging Technology Symposium
Dr. Eric Overby created a hands-on approach to introducing United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to first-year Denning Scholars in the spring semester by challenging them to think about how they would approach fulfilling one of the SDGs in his “Analysis of Emerging Technologies” course.
He asked student teams to choose an SDG that pertains to a specific country, and once the students had selected one of the 17 goals, they conducted an analysis and recorded a podcast of their findings. From there, Dr. Overby chose three teams to present their projects to a panel of judges. The entire T&M Program student body came out to Dr. Eric Overby’s “Reports from the Future Symposium” this year.
John Stanford, senior manager of Industry Engagement and Student Counseling, collaborated with the T&M’s corporate partners to assemble a panel of judges. The panel for this year’s event comprised
Elizabeth McConnell, Lindsey Nicholas, Grace Pfohl, Kristen Riess from risk3sixty and Kevin Okseniuk from SpaceWorks. Moreover, Karthik Ramachandran, the Dunn Family Professor of Operations Management, integrated a practical learning experience for his “Managing Product, Service, and Technology Development” class by having his students attend and observe the reports.
“Best Presentation” and “People’s Choice” Awards: “Team Refuellable Satellites”
The “Best Presentation” and “People’s Choice” Awards were given to Anuva Agrawal (mechanical engineering), Elissa Stoop (chemical and biomolecular engineering), Aryan Garg (computer science), Reed Bishofberger (aerospace engineering), and Zachary Szanti (business – strategy & innovation) for their “Team Refuellable Satellites” project. The team provided comments about their project below.
"For our Emerging Technology Podcast project, our group focused on refuellable satellites and their potential impact on the future of space technology. Through a podcast-style discussion, we explored how refuellable satellites could transform the space industry by reducing costs, extending mission lifespans, and minimizing space debris. By bringing in "satellites" from the present and future, we examined the economic, environmental, and technological factors that could influence the widespread adoption of refuellable satellites.
From this project, we learned that while refuellable satellites offer significant advantages, their success depends on overcoming key challenges such as the standardization of docking systems and the affordability of fuel. In an ideal scenario, collaboration between space agencies and private companies could lead to industry-wide adoption, making space operations more sustainable. However, external factors like regulatory policies and rising fuel costs could slow down progress. Ultimately, this project allowed us to highlight the complex balance between technological innovation and the financial and logistical challenges that come with it in a fun and creative way."
Managing Product, Service, & Technology Development
Dr. Karthik Ramachandran teaches “Managing Product, Service, & Technology Development,” each spring. Dr. Ramachandran’s students form teams and brainstorm solutions to problems with the goal of creating a product to solve one of these problems. Teams go through a customer discovery process and when they are nearing the end of the semester, they pitch their products to corporate affiliates at an event we affectionately named “Shark Tank” to receive final advice. The semester culminates with a poster showcase competition.
Poster Showcase
At the poster showcase, an audience of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and parents voted for the most creative project, the most likely to have an impact, and the most likely to be funded. Team TuneUp: Connect Drivers with Certified Mechanics won “Most Creative Project ” Team safesip: Alcohol Safety App using Existing Social Relationships won “Most Likely to Have Impact.” Team NAVIA: Corporate Travel Management Platform won “Most Likely to be Funded.”
Team #1 - TuneUp – “Most Creative Project”
TuneUp leverages a location-based network and a diagnostic tool (OB2D sensor) to connect drivers in need with certified nearby mechanics and freelance community helpers, ensuring fast, safe roadside assistance with transparent pricing and response times.
Felipe de Cardenas (industrial engineering), Samantha Dugan (industrial engineering), Grace Anne Lane (industrial engineering), Thomas Rimsa (industrial design), and George Corbin (computer science)
Team #1 – TuneUp with poster
Team #9 - safesip – “Most Likely to
Have an Impact”
This app tackles social alcohol safety, re-levering existing social relationships to exert positive social pressure towards desired habits.
Victor Huang (business administration: IT management), Daniel Jones (aerospace engineering), Monish Soniminde (economics), Spencer Banko (computer science)
Team #9- safesip with poster
-
– “Most Likely to be Funded”
A "lightweight" corporate travel management platform catered towards cost-conscious businesses that simplifies itinerary planning, booking, expense tracking, and more.
Team #10
NAVIA
Shradha Gandotra (computer science), Yashad Gurude (computer engineering), Nihar Manangi (computer science), and Brian Kuang (industrial engineering). Not pictured – Jackson O’Connell (business administration: finance, computer science)
Team #10 – NAVIA with poster
Dr. David Ku and Dr. John Cressler
Dr. David Ku teaches ME 3141, “Cutting-Edge Technologies Seminar,” to all business students except those studying IT Management.
Dr. John D. Cressler, a faculty member from the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, teaches CoE 3002, “Introduction to the Microelectronics and Nanotechnology Revolution,” each fall to all business students earning the engineering & business minor.
Corporate Statistics
The 2024-2025 AY included partnerships with Atlanta Braves, Boeing, Caterpillar, Equifax, GeorgiaPacific, The Home Depot, Naval Nuclear Laboratory (NNL), NCR Voyix, risk3sixty, Siemens, SmartPM, SpaceWorks, and Steelcase for a total of 13 corporate affiliates and 14 capstone projects.
Corporate Affiliate History
Current and past corporate affiliate capstone project data.
Corporate Affiliate Guest Speakers
Denning T&M Program students benefited by meeting and speaking with the following corporate executives who served as guest speakers in Dr. Overby’s and Dr. Ramachandran’s classes this year.
Steelcase
Dr. Tracy Brower, Vice President, Workplace Insights
Home Depot
Sarah Post, Vice President, Interconnected Experience
risk3sixty
Jessica Lucas, Vice President of People
risk3sixty
Sawyer Miller, Director, Advisory and Assurance
risk3sixty
Mary Kathryn Radivoj, Product Manager
risk3sixty
Lindsey Nicholas, Consultant & HITRUST Capability Lead
risk3sixty
Elizabeth McConnell, Senior Consultant
Salary Statistics
For five of the six colleges, students who graduate from Georgia Tech with one of our three minors realize a financial benefit in their starting salary. Only graduates from the Ivan Allen College did not realize the benefit of having been in T&M over the two-year study period. The first graph below illustrates the differences across the six colleges for T&M graduates starting full-time jobs in the summer of 2023 and 2024 when compared to non-T&M graduates from the same college. The percentages are the extra percentage earned above median salaries in the college. We used a two-year average median to account for anomalies in salary data. The bottom graph shows absolute values of median salaries over the two-year study period. Also, the average hourly rate for T&M students interning during the summer of 2025 was $31/hour.
$35,000.00
$30,000.00
$25,000.00
$20,000.00
$15,000.00
$10,000.00
$5,000.00
Two-Year (2022-24) Average Medians; T&M vs. College Medians
n=3)
Student Employment with Corporate Affiliates
The Denning T&M Program is pleased to report that 15 students are currently working for a corporate affiliate in a summer internship. In addition, three students started a full-time position with a corporate affiliate in 2025.
Name
Lilly Utt
Dhruv Chandaria
Evan Leahy
Tony Tanory
Emme Arp
Ansh Dalia
Chris Cella
Shradha Gandotra
CATERPILLAR
EQUIFAX
GEORGIA-PACIFIC
HOME DEPOT
SIEMENS
Brian Kuang
Connor Soncrant
Zoe Mock
STEELCASE
T&M Events by Category
As mentioned in the Executive Summary, we categorize our events as career development, corporate partnerships, academic, international, alumni-centered, community building, and administrative. This section will elaborate on these 40+ events to allow the reader to see how the Denning T&M Program supports its students and corporate partners across multiple dimensions.
Fall
On the left, the Fall 2024 Denning Career Fair. On the right, the Ropes Course for Class of 2025
On the left, the Class of 2026 Poster Competition. On the right, the Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony.
Career Development Events
When it comes to career development, T&M strives to provide as many hands-on workshops and events as possible to allow students to practice their communication skills frequently. The students consistently refine their elevator pitches and conversation skills to build confidence for competitive interviews and public speaking opportunities by consistently interacting with our corporate affiliates.
Each student starts off their T&M tenure with an official headshot in business formal, which the students use in their LinkedIn postings (see below) and T&M uses for the resume book distributed at the T&M Career Fair. They also participate in a rigorous resume review with Communications Manager Anne Lynch to stand out amongst their peers when it comes to clarity, keyword optimization, and formatting. All students, current and on-campus alumni, are eligible to be included in a bound resume book that corporate affiliates await every fall at the T&M Career Fair.
Vikas Muralidharan’s LinkedIn profile showcasing his T&M headshot
At the Fall 2024 T&M Career Fair, Senior Manager, Industry Engagement & Student Counseling John Stanford welcomed affiliates while setting up their tables in the Tech Square Research Building. Over the course of the event, 120 students across 19 disciplines met with recruiters to explore internship and fulltime positions. During the career fair, our students pitch themselves to prospective employers and capstone project sponsors.
T&M's Fall 2024 Career Fair was a huge success thanks to our partnerships with Caterpillar, Equifax, Georgia-Pacific, The Home Depot, Naval Nuclear Laboratory, NCR Voyix, Phillips 66, risk3sixty, SpaceWorks and Steelcase. Most notable was the strong T&M alumni presence representing corporate affiliates. We had ten alumni serving as recruiters for six companies.
Clare Thanner (NCR Voyix, Class of 2021) speaking to Arturo Jena. | Laura McCray Dunigan (Equifax, Class of 2017) speaking to Sophie Balzuweit.
Wama Gbetibouo (Caterpillar, Class of 2017) speaking to Prince Muteteke (Class of 2026, industrial engineering) | Owen Elkin (Class of 2025, business administration: strategy & innovation), Ethan Benater (Class of 2025, industrial engineering), JoJo Reese (class of 2025, electrical engineering), Mario Asiain (Class of 2025, business administration: strategy & innovation)
On the left, Anne Lynch (Director, Alumni Relations), John Stanford (Senior Manager, Industry Engagement & Student Counseling). On the right, Pennon Shue (Student Assistant), JC Hansen (Student Assistant), Sheena Brown (Academic Program Manager), Samuel Hansen (Student Assistant)
In the more intimate setting of the T&M Suite, John Stanford and Sheena Brown host office takeovers. These events last from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm and allow the companies to pitch themselves to our students. Students enjoy these informal events where they can learn more about the company culture while practicing their business conversation skills.
Boeing Office Takeover on 9/12/24
Naval Nuclear Laboratory Office Takeover on 9/23/24
College students are exposed to high levels of stress and anxiety due to the massive pressure they feel from job searches with high intensity consulting firms and other high visibility corporations. On February 24th, Katie Huie, a certified coach, delivered a 90-minute, inperson workshop for students/alumni called “Positive Intelligence, the Art of Managing Mental Saboteurs.” Participants completed a free online Saboteur Assessment prior to attending. Key outcomes of the workshop were a Saboteur Assessment, identification of stressful patterns, and coping techniques for preventing and managing the Saboteurs as the students proceed with their job searches. As a follow- up, students were offered a free, one-hour coaching session with Katie.
During the month of February, Peggy Parks, CEO of Parks Image Group, led five etiquette dinners for the Class of 2026. At all five dinners, we invited alumni guests so they could add their perspective regarding dining and socializing at work events. Instead of catering these dinners, T&M contracted with Ecco Restaurant midtown (40 7th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308) in their private dining space which permitted a much more intimate experience.
In February 2025, Peggy Parks, CEO of Parks Image Group, hosted five etiquette dinners in February for the Classes of 2025 and 2026, alongside the help of Anne Lynch and the T&M alumni community. While teaching in the Ecco Midtown's private dining room, Peggy shared tips about business meetings and networking events. She also shared inspiring stories about the power of kindness and how we can all impact the people around us with simple gestures and words from the heart. After the event, each student sent a handwritten thank you note to Peggy or a T&M alum.
Nicholas Sackleh (mechanical engineering) writes, "T&M’s etiquette dinner was an amazing experience from start to finish. Ms. Peggy Parks provided a wonderful experience guiding us through our formal five-course business dinner. It was awesome to speak to and learn from all the alumni that came out. Denning continues to provide countless opportunities for us to grow professionally, and this ranks as one of my favorites!”
Rebbeca Wang (aerospace engineering) writes, "The Etiquette Dinner hosted by Denning T&M, Anne, and Peggy Parks was eye-opening, informative, and so much fun! Not only did we get to enjoy a nice meal, but we also got to learn the basics of dining, business manners, and more. One thing I didn’t realize before the etiquette dinner was that many business proposals and contracts are actually formed over a meal, so it’s important to feel comfortable and confident in a professional setting. I also loved getting to chat with my fellow T&M cohort and alumni!"
Denning Class of 2026 and Denning T&M Alumni attending two of the evening classes.
On April 14th, the newly admitted T&M Program Class of 2027 students attended a Dress for Success Workshop taught by Nordstrom’s senior stylist Lester McCarter. The workshop prepared students to dress professionally for interviews and important corporate events with a focus on how to project confidence with body language.
JoJo Reese, Peggy Parks and Cynthia Li
Capstone Events
Before the academic year begins, corporate sponsors solidify their capstone project and start refining it if needed with the T&M team. About one month into the semester, September pre-capstone class sessions are reserved for affiliates to give their capstone project pitches. Most students have already met the speaker at an office takeover, making it easier for them to envision themselves working alongside the project lead for six months. The capstone project pitches also allow affiliates to get feedback in the form of the Q&A session on how our interdisciplinary students would propose tackling their problem. We revealed the capstone teams at the Georgia Tech ropes course, and students tackled the challenges together. In many cases, they were joined on the ropes by one of their sponsors.
On the left, the Atlanta Braves capstone team. On the right, the Caterpillar capstone team with Tony Agusti and Wama Gbetibuou.
On the left, the Equifax capstone team with Jeff Dugger and Gail Wetzel. On the right, the GeorgiaPacific capstone team with Christina Darland.
On the left, the Home Depot capstone team. On the right, the Naval Nuclear Laboratory capstone team.
The NCR Voyix capstone team with Kip Morgan.
On the left, the risk3sixty – Team 1 capstone team. On the right, the risk3sixty – Team 2 capstone team with Jessica Lucas and Christina Basore.
On the left, the Siemens capstone team. On the right, the SmartPM capstone team with Rohit Sinha and Brian Sykes.
On the left, the SpaceWorks capstone team with Kevin Okseniuk. On the right, the Steelcase capstone team.
Once the capstone teams have formed, they begin a set of interviews with subject matter experts. They also complete site visits, which can involve out-of-state travel.
“Capstone sponsor Edward Vander Bilt traveled to Atlanta to kick off the Steelcase capstone project. The team engaged in productive whiteboarding to discuss ideas and map out the process for the AMQ AI Assistant Project. Tasked with the challenge of integrating AI to improve customer service costeffectively, the team will spend the next six months developing a functional prototype and business case.”
Edward Vander Bilt, Lander Barrett, Arina Shah, Xander Coles and Mackenzie Czerner
“Our capstone team is partnered with The Home Depot and tasked with improving the faucet installation process. As part of our research into the major pain points of the process, we sought handson installation experience. John Stanford was kind enough to let us install one kitchen faucet and one bathroom faucet in his home. While there, we enjoyed homemade bread from his daughter, donuts, and the company of his new cat. We had a great time and successfully installed the faucets, taking detailed notes and photos that are already helping us develop impactful solutions. Plumbing can definitely be tricky, but we’re excited to make it easier!"
Kush Vakharia, Analysse Humaran, Cynthia Li, and Ethan Benater
The Class of 2025 Capstone “Draft” Board
Class of 2025
Corporate affiliates remain involved throughout the year as they interact with their capstone team and the T&M staff. In April, capstone students presented their findings in-person or over video conferencing platforms. One of more T&M staff members attended the 13 final presentations to the corporate sponsors and fellow executives.
Corporate Partnership and Academic Events
Understandably, career development, corporate partnership, and academic events overlap as these categories are interdependent. In fact, that’s what makes the Denning Technology & Management Program so unique. However, there are some events solely for our corporate affiliates to make sure they are getting the most of their sponsorship. In the summer, our Administrative Director Bob Burgess and our Senior Manager, Corporate Relations and Student Counseling John Stanford conduct their Summer Tour, where they connect with as many affiliates as possible. They discuss best practices, potential capstone projects, and meet new employees that may begin working with the T&M Program at these meetings. The Summer Tour is a great way to learn more about the company culture as well.
Commencement
On Monday, April 21, 2025, Class of 2024 T&M students met at the John Lewis Student Center for their Commencement ceremony. The Class of 2025 nominated two Class Speakers, and Bob Burgess and John Stanford announced awards for students of the year and capstone project team winners. All other award winners are listed in the “Denning Awards” section.
Administrative
Director Bob Burgess with class speakers Krisangi Bhargava (business administration: IT management) and Ethan Benater (industrial engineering).
Krisangi Bhargava (on the left) and Ethan Benater (on the right) addressing their peers.
Administrative Director Bob Burgess addressing the Class of 2025.
Senior Manager, Corporate Relations and Student Counseling John Stanford addressing the class of 2025.
Corporate Advisory Panel Meeting
We held our Corporate Advisory Panel Meeting at Scheller College of Business so that affiliates could meet with each other as well as the T&M faculty and staff. At this end-of-year meeting, affiliates looked back over the year and offered advice on continuing to improve the program. We were fortunate to take a tour of the new Georgia Institute of Technology Tech Square Phase 3 George Tower that is currently under construction.
First row: Cole Alford (Atlanta Braves), Jen O’Brien, Toni Agusti (Caterpillar), Kip Morgan and Danny Arana (NCR Voyix), Anne Lynch and John Stanford (T&M staff), Christina Darland and Kalie Compton (Georgia Pacific)
Second Row: Kevin Price (Georgia Pacific), Jeff Dugger (Equifax), Ed Vander Bilt (Steelcase), Jonathan Spoerke (Home Depot), Kevin Okseniuk (SpaceWorks), Jesse Sammons (GT Corporate Engagement)
International Events
Our March 2025 International Experience again had a sustainability them and was held in Lima and Cusco, Peru. Twenty-seven students traveled with four staff members, (Sheena Brown, Bob Burgess, Anne Lynch, and John Stanford), one spouse, (Lori Burgess), and one International Study Programs senior program manager (Adela Kutalkova). This was our eighth trip. All but the first one has been planned by International Study Programs which is headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic.
Since 2015, the T&M Program has enabled 314 students to have a week-long group International Experience while an undergraduate student. Many students have commented that they would have missed the opportunity to study abroad if not for the “Spring Break travel structure” and the fact that the T&M Program subsidizes the cost of the trip. The table below shows the number of students that travelled each year.
T&M International Experience History
Pre-Trip: February 2025
Twenty-eight Denning Scholars will travel to Peru over spring break this March to learn about the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
T&M Program Class of 2017 and Bext360 Chief Sustainability Officer Niki Lewis returned to campus in February to deliver a talk on her career path, Peru, sustainability, Bext360, and prep the students to meet Carolina Peralta in Cusco, Peru, at her company Florencia y Fortunata Café.
Niki inspired with her wisdom to tell people what you want in life so that your network shares opportunities that line up with your goals with you. She also shared ways Bext360 marks products such as coffee and textiles to prove their authenticity through each step of the supply chain. It was an educational our and can't thank Niki enough for giving back to the T&M community.
February 10, 2025
Sustainability speaker Niki Lewis (bext360), Anne Lynch (T&M Staff), and all the students headed to Peru for the Spring 2025 International Experience.
Peru Daily Highlights
Day One: Sunday, March 16, 2025
On Sunday, March 16, 2025, we went on a guided city tour and ended the evening with a welcome dinner with a view of the Pacific Ocean.
“Even just one day abroad makes me realize how privileged we are to go to Tech and be a part of the T&M Program, can’t wait to keep making more memories and lasting friendships in this beautiful country!” - Pranav Viswanath
“I have deeply enjoyed exploring the vibrant and historic city of Lima, Peru. A standout moment was
admiring the intricate tiles, paintings, and carpentry that lined the walls of the Museo de Santo Domingo, where designs and materials from Arabic, Hispanic, American, and European cultures are masterfully woven together. It’s remarkable how these diverse influences create something new while preserving distinct cultural connections. I’m excited to further immerse myself in the rich heritage of this amazing country!” - Richard Patrick
“Today we T&M students were graciously welcomed into Peru with a Lima tour! Learning about religious history, the country's political highs and lows, and even the existence of thousands of types of potatoes, Day 1 opened our eyes to the beauty, culture, and delicious food that Lima has to offer!
Today was a wonderful day full of exploring new places, learning lots, and getting closer to my fellow T&M peers. Feeling very lucky to share this experience with newfound friends who are curious, driven, and incredibly adventurous. Cannot wait to see what the rest of the trip will bring!” - Grace Lane
Denning T&M staff and students at Basilica Cathedral of Lima, commonly known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of Lima.
On the left, Justin Cleckley, Xander Coles, and Kush Vakharia enjoy the tour of Lima, Peru. On the right, Gbemi Adeleye, Kai Lewis, Krisangi Bhargava, and Sarah Duong at the Parque del Amor (Love Park), Lima, Peru.
Day Two: Monday, March 17, 2025
We visited Grupo AJE to meet Chief Communication and Sustainability Officer Jorge Lopez-Doriga and his colleagues Vania Merino Bernuy and Gianina Jimenez Escudero.
Mr. Lopez-Doriga began the meeting by leading our group in a guided Zen meditation. We could feel the energy in the room shift as we all focused on our breath. It was a beautiful way to begin our session learning about AJE Group.
Team member Richard Patrick reflected on the visit with the below summary.
“Today’s visit to AJE was truly refreshing! What began as a drink company founded by a hardworking and passionate couple has grown into a multinational powerhouse in beverages, food, and merchandising now spanning three continents with over 13,000 employees. AJE takes pride in offering natural and fresh drinks while also making meaningful strides toward a more sustainable future.
We had the honor of learning from AJE’s Chief Communication and Sustainability Officer, Jorge LopezDoriga, who gave us an in-depth look at the company’s sustainability efforts. From building sustainable cities and investing in decarbonization to implementing circular manufacturing and supporting biodiversity, AJE is taking action today for a better tomorrow. We were especially inspired by their commitment to partnering with communities that harvest superfruits bringing attention to their
efforts and ensuring they are properly compensated for their hard work.
Our time with AJE and Jorge was an invaluable experience, leaving us with the knowledge to make better choices for the planet, a deeper awareness of our purpose in protecting Mother Earth, and a greater appreciation for companies dedicated to improving the human condition.
We’ll be watching closely as AJE continues to innovate, expand its sustainability efforts, and make a lasting impact on both people and the planet!”
Jorge Lopez-Doriga, Vania Merino Bernuy, Gianina Jimenez Escudero, Anne Lynch, John Stanford and Denning T&M students
Jorge Lopez-Doriga speaking during tour | Jorge Lopez-Doriga speaking to Denning T&M students
We visited Cabify to meet Carlos Andrés Mendoza (Country General Manager in Peru and Ecuador) and his colleague Daniela Betancour (Senior Corporate Affairs Specialist).
Team member Juliette Bohn reflected on the visit with the below summary.
“Meeting with Cabify Perú was an amazing experience. This company is the first ride-share service in the country to break even and venture into positive revenue generation. We met with the General Manager of Perú, Carlos Andrés Mendoza, who gave us an overview on what Cabify is, how it was created, and how it is being used in over 45 cities across Central America, South America, and Spain. We learned of Cabify’s competitive advantage and how they market their product as being the safest and most reliable option for both drivers and riders.
Our T&M International Experience team was able to ask Mendoza some questions we generated during the presentation, where he gave us great knowledge and tips on how to successfully launch a product and try new strategies in such a dynamic company. My favorite piece of advice from our Q&A was that not every product launch is successful, and there is inevitably trial and error when debuting new services. Mendoza acknowledges that Cabify Perú tries new marketing mediums and regulations that are sometimes unsuccessful, but the company uses it as a learning experience to make their ride-share service the best it can possibly be. Meeting with Cabify Peru was beyond insightful for the Denning T&M Program, and I cannot wait to learn even more during our trip to Perú!”
Daniela Betancour, Sheena Brown, Anne Lynch and Denning T&M students
Day
Three: Tuesday, March 18, 2025
We visited Cacaosuyo to meet with General Manager Nicolas Chavez Saucedo, Founding Partner Samir Giha, and Sales Promoter Estephanie Angulo
Team member Xander Coles reflected on the visit with the below summary.
“T&M took on the role of consultants for a day! Our Intentional Experience group had the incredible opportunity to visit Cacaosuyo, a premium chocolate producer founded in 2012 that sources the finest Peruvian cacao. We were tasked with analyzing two critical areas: operational efficiency and go-tomarket strategy. Students split into teams to dive into these challenges, exploring ways to enhance processes and market positioning.
During our visit, we toured Cacaosuyo’s facility and engaged in deep discussions about their company journey, the evolving chocolate industry, and the pressing challenges ahead. One particularly eyeopening insight was how the global commodity price for cacao skyrocketed from $2.50 to $12.50 in just over a year highlighting the volatility of the industry. A huge thank you to Nicolas Saucedo and Samir Giha for sharing their expertise and giving us a firsthand look at the complexities of choco late production. This experience was an invaluable chance to apply our skills in a real-world setting.”
On the left, Samir Giha and Nicolas Chavez Saucedo speaking to Denning T&M students (Xander Coles) On the right, Samir Giha highlighting the production area to Denning T&M students.
Day Four: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
We visited Sinba to meet with Pipo Reiser (General Manager and Co-founder), Angel Gabriel Cortez Bullón (Operations Leader), and Ingrid Huamali Pinedo (Environmental Consultant).
Team member Spencer Banko reflected on the visit with the below summary.
“Today, our team had the opportunity to visit Sinba in Lima, Peru, where a staggering 30,000 tons of solid waste are produced daily. We spoke with Angel Gabriel Cortez Bullón, leading operations at their CIRC facility, and General Manager and Co-founder Pipo Reiser. It was both sobering and inspiring, especially when Reiser compared the waste management challenge to being on the Titanic: "It's sinking, yet everyone is still dancing.”
Despite the enormity of the problem, Sinba's vision for a world without waste, where natural cycles are replicated to promote a circular economy, provides hope. Their approach includes repurposing waste into processed animal feed and compost, as well as using traditional recycling means for cardboard and plastic. However, their approach focuses not just on the recycling process but also on ensuring that the product they create is reused in businesses in Peru.
After our conversation with the General Manager and Co-founder, we were given a tour of the Sinba facility by Angel Gabriel Cortez Bullón to see the recycling processes in action. From reusing cardboard to refining plastic, it was incredible to witness how much waste can find a second life. The visit served as a powerful reminder that meaningful change isn't just about altering our waste streams, but also transforming our mindset about what we consider "trash."”
Anuva Agrawal, Gbemi Adeleye, Nicolas Chavez Saucedo, Estephanie Angulo, Samir Giha, Cailee Jackson, Sarah Duong, Xander Coles
Angel Gabriel Cortez Bullón, John Stanford, Anne Lynch, Sheena Brown and Denning T&M students in warehouse for recycling.
On the left, safety glasses prior to tour. On the right, Angel Gabriel Cortez Bullón speaking to Xander Coles, Analysse Humaran, and Elissa Stoop.
Day Five: Thursday, March 20, 2025
We visited Florencia y Fortunata Café to meet founder and CEO Carolina Peralta by way of an introduction from T&M alumna Niki Lewis
Team member Krisangi Bhargava reflected on the visit with the below summary.
“We had an incredible day visiting Florencia y Fortunata, a coffee shop in Cusco, Peru, that’s deeply rooted in women’s empowerment. During our visit, we explored a beautiful art exhibition, sampled a variety of delicious coffee blends, and had the opportunity to hear directly from the founder, Carolina Peralta.
Carolina shared the inspiring story behind the coffee shop’s name a tribute to her grandmothers and spoke passionately about the shop’s mission to uplift women in the coffee industry. All the coffee is sourced exclusively from female coffee producers, with each bag proudly featuring the name of the woman who grew it. In addition, the café is staffed entirely by female baristas, reinforcing its commitment to creating opportunities for women.
Carolina also opened up about the challenges she’s faced as a female entrepreneur and shared heartfelt advice on pursuing your dreams with courage and determination.
Overall, it was a truly inspiring and memorable experience, and we’re so grateful to have had the chance to visit and learn from such an empowering initiative.” - Krisangi Bhargava
On the left, sign for Florencia y Fortunata Café. On the right, Carolina Peralta with Denning T&M students
Day Six: Friday, March 21, 2025
We visited Machu Picchu. We ascended in the rain and halfway through the trek up and down stone stairs, the clouds parted and the sun peaked through.
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“Experiencing Machu Picchu today was truly otherworldly. Standing among structures built nearly 600 years ago, I was struck by the harmony of beauty, design, and cohesion still so intact after centuries.
As Industrial Designers, it’s incredibly inspiring to witness the ingenuity and craftsmanship of past generations. The methods they used, many of which still influence our practices today, are a powerful reminder of the timelessness of thoughtful design.
Grateful for the chance to learn from the past while looking toward the future.” - Zoe Mock
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“Walking the grounds and ascending the terraces of Machu Picchu today was more than just witnessing a breathtaking view it felt like stepping into a living relic of a thriving civilization. What struck me most was how the site, though carefully preserved and restored, still pulses with life, as if time had barely touched it. As a designer, I found myself analyzing the intentionality behind each structure from the leveled terraces to the intricate aqueducts weaving through the space. There’s a sense of cohesion and harmony throughout the mountaintop, a reflection of the Inca’s ingenuity and the deep social connections within their society. Machu Picchu endures, not only because of its brilliant engineering, but because of the spirit and passion embedded into its creation. That enduring vitality is what, to me, makes it an extraordinary feat of design.” - Samantha Dugan
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“I loved how Machu Picchu blends perfectly with the mountains, using precisely cut stone that fits together without mortar. I found myself awestruck that a community of humans built it all, pointing to the amazing things we can do when we work together. The precision in their masonry inspired me to focus more on craftsmanship with my next project.” - Kush Vakharia
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“Seeing Machu Picchu in person today was surreal. What struck me the most was how naturally it fits into the landscape it doesn’t feel like something humans forced onto nature, but rather like it’s always been a part of it. Especially after the rain, everything felt extra lush and alive, making the site even more breathtaking.
As a designer, I couldn’t help but admire how seamlessly human ingenuity and nature came together here. It’s a reminder that great design doesn’t have to dominate its surroundings it can work with
them. And on a personal level, I just felt incredibly grateful. Grateful to be here, to take it all in, and to have the opportunity to experience something this incredible.” - Sarah Duong
On the left, Gbemi Adeleye, Monish Soniminde, Spencer Banko, Christine Webster, Sarah Duong, and Kai Lewis exploring Machu Picchu. On the right, the Inca mountaintop citadel of Machu Picchu.
T&M International Experience atop Machu Picchu
Alumni Events, Involvement, and Accomplishments
Anne Lynch serves as our alumni engagement manager. She met with several alumni for one-on-one meetings, invited them to student workshops, facilitated five alumni office takeovers where they could interact with current students in a small group setting, and traveled to North Carolina (Charlotte, Cary, Research Triangle Park and Chapel Hill and Charleston, South Carolina. Anne also hosted two Atlanta, Georgia reunions. John Stanford, Senior Manager, Industry Relations & Student Counseling, maintained open communication with alumni during the past year and focused his efforts on alumni working for corporate affiliates. Additionally, 124 alumni critiqued midterm presentations for the Class of 2024 capstone teams. It was a fruitful year for alumni engagement!
31%
Engagement
Between July 2024 and June 2025, 263 unique alumni engaged in one or more ways with the Denning T&M Program. As of May 2025, we have 850 alumni.
6/26/2025
6/27/2025
6/29/2025
One hundred twenty-two alumni attended alumni reunions and meetings in Atlanta and the Carolinas.
Atlanta Denning T&M Alumni Event – May 28, 2025
T&M alumni braved the humidity to gather for networking on the Atlanta Beltline at New Realm Brewing. We had a fabulous turnout with 65 alumni across industries and cohorts. "Let me add you on LinkedIn" was music to our ears.
We look forward to seeing everyone at the next event and on campus next academic year to meet with students for an alumni office takeover.
the left,
North Carolina/South Carolina T&M Alumni Events – June 25, 2025, to June 30, 2025
During the last week of June, Anne Lynch, MFA (Director of Alumni Relations) took to the road for a T&M Program Carolinas Alumni Tour. Her first stop was a dinner with Kari Zimmer (T&M Class of 2015) in Charlotte, North Carolina, which included a meet and greet with her sweet dog Luna.
On
Anne Lynch, Aboubacar Barrie, Ibukun Jaiyesimi, and William Courreges-Clercq. On the right, Denning T&M alumni enjoying evening on Atlanta Beltline at New Realm Brewing.
On the left, Jared Abrahamian, Yusuf Khan, Aiden Liu, Shahm Hemani, Sheila Trinh, Katie-Rose Slade, and Aboubacar Barrie. On the right, Jason Quill, Nick Rokos, Emily Salmond, and Reese Howard Eady
The next day, she met Elena Schriever (T&M Class of 2020) and Benjamin Warstler (T&M Class of 2021) in Cary, North Carolina, for happy hour before driving to Research Triangle Park for dinner. Colin Lehman (T&M Class of 2012) and Aashal Dave (T&M Class of 2019) joined Anne and Ben for an evening of reminiscing and getting to know each other.
And on Friday morning, Anne kicked off the day by having coffee with Ana Jafarinia (T&M Class of 2019) in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
On Sunday, Anne drove south to Charleston, South Carolina, for the final leg of the tour. Ronnie Ludwin (T&M Class of 2019) recently founded Charleston Jewish Tours and he led alumni Gregory Jones (T&M Class of 2012), Ryan Kerns (T&M Class of 2014), Oliver Whitehead (T&M Class of 2022), and Anne on a walking tour of Upper King. We learned about some of the area's civil rights and Jewish history while hunting down patches of shade to hide from the heat. Thank you, Ronnie!
After the tour, Parker Quarles (T&M Class of 2022) joined the rest of us for dinner, where we shared T&M memories. To end the evening, Ronnie, Parker, and Oliver joined Anne for ice cream before we parted ways.
Thank you to the 11 alumni (58%) who came out for the series of events. We have 19 alumni in these cities with four more in other parts of the Carolinas.
On the left, Parker Quarles, Oliver Whitehead, Anne Lynch, Greg Jones, Ryan Kerns, and Ronnie Ludwin in Charleston, South Carolina. | On the right, Anne Lynch, Aashal Dave, Colin Lehman, and Ben Warstler in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
In the spring semester, all capstone teams created midterm presentation videos. We then solicited alumni to critique a subset of these presentations approved for sharing by the corporate affiliates. One hundred forty-two alumni T&M Program alumni gave detailed critiques on the T&M Class of 2025’s midterm presentations. They also offered to meet with current students to expand on their advice. Our Denning Scholars took their projects and presentations to the next level with their expertise. We are continually impressed by our community’s generosity.
Twenty of one hundred forty-two volunteers who critiqued midterm presentations. (T&M Class of 2012 – T&M Class of 2014)
Thirty of one hundred forty-two volunteers who critiqued midterm presentations. (T&M Class of 2014 – T&M Class of 2017)
Thirty of one hundred forty-two volunteers who critiqued midterm presentations. (T&M Class of 2017 – T&M Class of 2020)
(T&M Class of 2017 – T&M Class of 2020)
Thirty of one hundred forty-two volunteers who critiqued midterm presentations. (T&M Class of 2020 – T&M Class of 2022)
Twenty of one hundred forty-two volunteers who critiqued midterm presentations. (T&M Class of 2022 – T&M Class of 2024)
Twelve of one hundred forty-two volunteers who critiqued midterm presentations. (T&M Class of 2024)
Alumni LinkedIn Initiative
In June 2019, we created a Higher Education page on LinkedIn for the Denning Technology & Management Program to post public content about our program, students, corporate affiliates, and alumni. Most importantly, our 850 alumni can add the T&M Program under their LinkedIn Education section to officially list the minor they earned at Georgia Tech. Once added, alumni become searchable in a directory based on location, company, career field, major, and skillset. This directory can also be queried by keyword to find alumni with expertise in anything from machine learning to corporate finance to diversity and inclusion. There are currently 788 registered alumni, a 94% participation rate. We also have 2,633 LinkedIn page followers.
94% Participation Rate
Students, alumni, corporate affiliates, and headhunters can use the alumni directory to find experts, future colleagues, mentors, speakers, and former classmates. Current students have used the directory to reach out to alumni who worked at their target companies, navigated being an F-1 visa holder, and asked for advice on pursuing an MBA. Alumni have used the directory to reconnect with former classmates and look for a new job. And corporate affiliates can now easily target alumni for recruitment. It has also facilitated city-specific alumni networking.
The T&M Program’s dynamic public presence on LinkedIn enables connectivity and relationships in a way that wasn’t possible before. These relationships have the potential to drive innovation, build community, and impact future income. You can access the page at:
Banner for public LinkedIn group featuring T&M students with Shenzhen University students.
With the T&M LinkedIn page, we can post public content about our program, students, corporate affiliates, and alumni. Additionally, we partner with the Scheller College of Business to amplify their LinkedIn content through our audience.
Community Building Events
The T&M Program understands that a strong community fosters academic success and future alumni engagement. When the opportunity presents itself and the student interest is there, the program has financially backed additional opportunities for our scholars. Over the last year, we sponsored the Ideas to Serve showcase. Ideas to Serve allows Georgia Tech students to focus on community collaborations and promotes an in-depth understanding of social and environmental issues.
Administrative Events
Lastly, when running the T&M Program, certain administrative events allow us to recruit potential students, welcome the newly admitted students, help students build community, and then celebrate our program’s graduates.
The academic year kicked off with the Fall Orientation on Monday, August 26, 2024, for both the Class of 2025 and the Class of 2026. Each staff member presented to remind students of our expertise areas and Bob Burgess revealed the location for the March 2025 International Experience: Peru.
On September 23, 2024, we hosted a Prospective Student Information Session at Clough Commons Auditorium. This event is held prior to the beginning of the application period, which begins October 1st and ends at exactly 11:59 pm on October 31 every year. Administrative Director Bob Burgess kicked off the meeting and then turned it over to a student-run panel, with nine panelists from the Class of 2025, plus alum Grace Pietkiewicz joining from the Class of 2023. The panel spoke candidly on their T&M experience; their insights and advice gave the audience the information they needed to apply confidently. One hundred and seventy-four prospective students attended. There assigned topics are in the table below.
240 Prospective students registered their attendance. The photo above shows them listening to the student panel in Clough Auditorium Room 152. First NameLast
On March 3, 2025, T&M hosted an in-person Orientation and Welcome event to introduce the newest students from the Class of 2027 to each other and the corporate affiliates. We gathered in the John Lewis Student Center, and students met with corporate affiliates, current students, and alumni in 15minute segments. Before the event concluded, students could mingle freely to talk to anyone they had not met yet.
Denning Awards
Class of 2025 Capstone Project of the Year 1st Place (tie): Steelcase won based on the criteria of milestone completion and quality, feedback from corporate sponsors, and teamwork.
Class of 2025 Capstone Project of the Year 1st Place (tie): risk3sixty (Team #1) won based on the criteria of milestone completion and quality, feedback from corporate sponsors, and teamwork.
Class of 2025 Capstone Project of the Year 2nd Place (tie): The Home Depot won based on the criteria of milestone completion and quality, feedback from corporate sponsors, and teamwork.
Class of 2025 Capstone Project of the Year 2nd Place (tie): NCR Voyix won based on the criteria of milestone completion and quality, feedback from corporate sponsors, and teamwork.
Class of 2025 Capstone Presentation of the Year 1st Place: Caterpillar won for their outstanding work on their capstone presentation.
Class of 2025 Capstone Showcase Award: The Home Depot
Class of 2024 Students of the Year Awards:
This year, we are proud to recognize nine students with the “Class of 2025 Student of the Year” award. These students were chosen based on nominations from corporate affiliates, with final decisions based on T&M faculty and staff consensus deliberations.
First Row: Kaylin Nolan (international affairs and modern languages, risk3sixty capstone team 1), Vikas Muralidharan (materials science and engineering, Naval Nuclear Laboratory (FMP) capstone team), Mario Asiain-Ayala (business administration: strategy & innovation), and Gbemisola Adeleye (biomedical engineering, Georgia-Pacific LLC capstone team). 2nd row: Andrew Verzino (computer science, Equifax capstone team), Joanna Reese (electrical engineering, NCR Voyix capstone team), Mwenda Maui (computer science, risk3sixty capstone team 1), Emily Cory (industrial engineering, SpaceWorks capstone team), and Christine Webster (public policy, Caterpillar Inc. capstone team).
Class of 2026 Students of the Year Award
This year, we are proud to recognize five students with the “Class of 2026 Student of the Year” award. These students were chosen based on nominations from professors, with final decisions based on T&M faculty and staff consensus deliberations.
Priya Annapureddy Computer Science
Reed Bishofberger Aerospace Engineering
Arthi Devineni Business Administration: Operations & Supply Chain
Arturo Jena Industrial Engineering
Zach Szanti Business Administration: Strategy & Innovation
Scholarships
Robert L. Branner, Jr. Scholarship: The Robert L. Branner, Jr. Scholarship Endowment Fund, established in 2011, is to be awarded to students who have been selected to participate in the Steven A. Denning Technology & Management Program.
Denning Technology & Management Program Scholarship: The Denning Technology & Management Program Scholarship was established to support Denning T&M Program students who do not qualify for the other more specific scholarships.
Willow Harris Business Administration: Finance Class of 2026
Mais Mehyar Architecture Class of 2026
Raphael Parent, Computer Science Class of 2025
Nitya Yamjala Computer Science Class of 2025
Kadin Story Computer Science Class of 2025
Tony Tanory Computer Science Class of 2025
Laughter Scholarship: The donor established the Laughter Scholarship Endowment Fund to for Aerospace Engineering undergraduate students at the Georgia Institute of Technology who have been selected to participate in the Steven A. Denning Technology & Management Program.
Aerospace Engineering Class of 2026
Judy D. and Stephen P. Zelnak Jr. Denning Technology & Management Program Scholarship: Stephen P. Zelnak, Jr., IM 1969.established the scholarship endowment fund to be awarded to students who have been selected to participate in the Steven A. Denning Technology & Management Program.
Business Administration: Accounting Class of 2026
Rebecca Wang
Emme Arp
Lonnie A. “Aubry” Holland Technology & Management Scholarship and Holland-Roller Scholarship: Aubry Holland was the founder of the Holland-Underwood Foundation, and this scholarship is in his memory. The Holland-Roller Endowment Fund established by the donor for Denning T&M undergraduate College of Engineering students at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The scholarship is in memory of L. Aubry Holland, ME 1937 (1915-2003).
Gbemi Adeleye, Biomedical Engineering Class of 2025
Angelica Fernandez Business Administration: IT Management Class of 2024
Chabala “CJ” Kaunda, Mechanical Engineering Class of 2025
Landon Barrett, Business Administration: IT Management Class of 2025
Divya Ganesan Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Class of 2026
Prince Muteteke Industrial Engineering Class of 2026
Lauryn Carter Industrial Engineering Class of 2025
Elijah Johnson, Industrial Engineering Class of 2025
Willow Harris Business Administration: Finance Class of 2026
McConnell Family Scholarship: The McConnell Family Endowment Fund was established by the donor in memory of his father, Turner Lawson McConnell, COM 1928, and in honor of his wife, Patricia W. McConnell, daughter Kathleen McConnell Korotzer, and son Lawson Jackson McConnell, Jr. MGT 1988. This academic year, we used the funds from this scholarship to assist five students travelling on the T&M International Experience to Peru. Stoop
Gbemi Adeleye, Biomedical Engineering Class of 2025
Spencer Banko Computer Science Class of 2026
Victor Huang Business Administration: IT Management Class of 2026
Elissa Stoop Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Class of 2026
Christine Webster, Public Policy Class of 2025
Class of 2025 Capstone Projects
The backbone of the Denning T&M Program is the capstone project. Each year, our second-year students carefully weigh their options and select five projects (ranking them 1 – 5) where they believe they will be able to contribute significantly and learn the most. Then the T&M Program faculty and staff carefully form the teams using a wide array of criteria. This academic year we had 14 projects split between our 62 Class of 2024 cohort members. The following pages highlight the work our capstone students did over the academic year.
Atlanta Braves: Atlanta Braves Retail Warehouse Optimization
Corporate Sponsor: Cole Alford
Team Summary: The Braves Capstone Team worked to optimize the retail warehouse of the Atlanta Braves. With over 800,000 items sold annually and 15,000 unique SKUs, the Braves merchandise sales have experienced a 5x growth since 2016. This rapid growth has created a need to modernize the Braves warehouse to meet increasing demand. Over the course of the project, the team conducted 20+ subject matter expert interviews, visited the warehouse 5 times to document warehouse processes, interviewed the Braves buying team, and met with industry experts such as the Dodgers and Cowboys. Our analysis focused on documenting the processing and picking steps to identify operational inefficiencies. We also analyzed transaction data to identify top-selling items to inform a more strategic and efficient warehouse layout. Our resulting recommendations aim to streamline fulfillment processes, reduce receiving and picking times, minimize carrying and labor costs, and free up valuable warehouse space.
Briana Brozowski (business administration - strategy & innovation), Margaret Anne Coleman (industrial engineering), Elijah Johnson (industrial engineering), and Owen Elkin (business administration - strategy & innovation)
Boeing: Innovating the Web Flipping Process
Corporate Sponsors: Sarah Middleton, Ryan Kerns
Team Summary: “The Denning Technology & Management Program capstone team partnered with Boeing to tackle inefficiencies and safety concerns in the 737 web flipping process at the Auburn, WA facility. After touring four major Boeing sites and interviewing over a dozen stakeholders, the team developed a gear and crank based retrofit solution that reduces reliance on gantry cranes, increases productivity, and mitigates ergonomic strain. This gear-driven flipping mechanism enables a single operator to safely and efficiently flip 60-foot aluminum web parts using modified sawhorses. The proposed solution, which is supported with testing of a full-scale prototype, a detailed engineering analysis, and CAD modeling, is projected to save Boeing nearly $800,000 annually with a payback period of just 3.6 months. This project also furthers the company’s goals of increasing lean manufacturing and promoting frontline innovation.”
Caterpillar: Your Expert Operator in a Box – Heavy Machine Operation made Simple with Voice Best Capstone Project Presentation – First Place
Corporate Sponsors: Tony Agusti and Wama Gbetibouo
Team Summary: “The Caterpillar capstone team explored the potential of Voice Assist (VA) in improving the heavy equipment operator’s experience and assessed the technology's value to key stakeholders. The team adopted a human-centered design and research approach to identify opportunities for VA innovation within the operator-machine interface. The team performed extensive field research, including operator surveys, site visits, and real-world interviews including operators of varying levels of experience and expertise. This research led to the establishment of greater understanding of this unexplored space. The team’s final deliverables included a written report detailing their findings and recommendations, a presentation to stakeholders, and a Minimum Demonstrable Concept (MDC) using standard industry software and processes.”
Corporate Sponsors: Jeff Dugger and Jonathan Boardman
Team Summary: "The 2025 T&M Capstone team from Georgia Tech worked with Equifax to build an explainable AI solution to analyze consumer credit data. With assistance from Equifax stakeholders, the team implemented the novel architecture, tested it against existing solutions, and estimated the future business value for Equifax. In doing so, the team challenged the “black box” status quo of typical model architectures and set the stage for further development and future integrations with other projects."
Frank Middleton V (biomedical engineering), Jeffrey Kuang (industrial engineering), Alexis Kantor (business administration - IT management), Raphael Parent (computer science), and Andrew Verzino (computer science)
Georgia-Pacific LLC: Toilet Paper Dispensing - Flushing Out the Old, Ushering in the New
Corporate Sponsors: Ronnie Phillips and Kallie Compton (T&M 2019, mechanical engineering)
Team Summary: “The Denning Technology & Management Program Georgia-Pacific capstone team addressed the challenge of enhancing the Away-From-Home bath tissue market by developing a proprietary dispenser system that improves the experience for key stakeholders like maintainers and facility managers. To address stakeholder problems, the team studied in-depth market research, conducted numerous stakeholder interviews, and performed their own field observations. The proposed solution features a gravity-fed dispenser with coreless roll inserts, designed to simplify maintenance, reduce waste, and ensure reliable dispensing. This system allows Georgia-Pacific to strengthen its position as an innovative leader in the hygiene industry.”
Rob Hays (business administration - strategy & innovation), Joshua Canlas (industrial engineering), Gbemisola Adeleye (biomedical engineering), and Grace Langan (economics)
The Home Depot: QuickFit - Redefining the Faucet Installation Experience
Best Capstone Project Team - 2nd place (Tie)
Capstone Presentation Award
Corporate Sponsors: Jonathan Spoerke and Michael Luo (T&M 2012, chemical and biomolecular engineering)
Team Summary: “The 2025 Denning T&M Capstone Team partnered with The Home Depot to reimagine the residential faucet installation experience. After exploring three potential product categories modular closet systems, interchangeable long-handled tools, and faucet installation the team selected faucets based on clear consumer pain points revealed through early surveys and interviews. Over the following months, the team conducted deep market research, user testing, and multiple rounds of prototyping to design a solution that dramatically improves the DIY experience. The result is QuickFit: a top-down, tool-free faucet system that eliminates the need to work under the sink, increasing ease, comfort, and confidence for users. The innovation also introduces swappable faucet facades enabling customers to change the look of their faucet without touching the plumbing, transforming a traditionally functional product into an aesthetic upgrade opportunity. Through testing with DIYers and professionals in The Home Depot’s CX Lab, QuickFit proved to reduce installation time and frustration while offering new avenues for customer engagement and repeat purchases. Backed by a comprehensive business case and clear ROI potential, QuickFit positions Glacier Bay as the industry leader in accessible, intuitive, and future-forward faucet solutions.”
Naval Nuclear Laboratory: Feasibility of Superhydrophobic Coatings to Reduce Adhesion of Nuclear Contamination
Corporate Sponsors: Dan O'Toole and Arthur Peck
Team Summary: “The Denning Technology & Management Program capstone team conducted a feasibility study for Naval Nuclear Laboratory on the use of superhydrophobic (SH) coatings to prevent the adhesion of nuclear contamination on tools used for spent nuclear fuel storage. Through stakeholder interviews, literature review, small-scale testing, and analysis of radiological research from the Electric Power Research Institute, the team found that SH coatings have strong potential to minimize the adhesion of nuclear contamination which could reduce decontamination efforts and cost along with extending tooling lifespans. While further testing is needed to determine optimal application methods and durability under realistic environmental conditions, the findings offer a promising path forward for improving operational efficiency and worker safety in radiological environments.”
Vikas Muralidharan (material science and engineering), Elizabeth Marie Yu (business administrationstrategy & innovation), Henry Murphy (physics), and Cole Kettner (chemical and biomolecular engineering)
NCR Voyix: Halo Checkout
Data Visualization Project
Best Capstone Project Team - 2nd place (Tie)
Corporate Sponsors: Kip Morgan and Danny Arana
Team Summary: “The NCR Voyix T&M Capstone Team was tasked with unlocking the full potential of the new NCR Voyix Halo Checkout, a computer vision-based system designed to deliver a seamless, instant self-checkout experience. While the technology offers incredible speed and convenience, its performance data remained largely unexplored. Over two semesters, the team addressed this gap by building a fully customized, interactive dashboard using React with Material UI (MUI) for responsive design and Recharts for dynamic data visualizations. On the backend, the team developed a modular Node.js and Express server, powered by SQLite databases and dynamic SQL query builders to generate flexible, real-time KPIs. To streamline deployment and ensure easy transferability, the full project was containerized using Docker, allowing the NCR Voyix team to run the dashboard locally with minimal setup. This dashboard will be used by the analytics team and as a prototype for their own in the longterm solution. The team created tailored metrics that transform pilot and production data into actionable insights. This will empower internal decision-making across product teams, sales teams, and retailers to identify areas for improvement and strengthen the overall business case. From the dashboard, the team extracted key findings that were compiled into a written insights report, complete with strategic recommendations for the NCR Voyix team to implement moving forward.”
Joanna Reese (electrical engineering), Beyonca Mitchell (industrial engineering), Mary Chris Cella (business administration - IT management), Rhea Jaxon (computer science), and Kip Morgan (NCR Voyix)
risk3sixty (Team 1): OSINT Threat Assessment Tool
Corporate Sponsors: Kevin Ketts and Jessica Lucas
Team Summary: “The risk3sixty team #1 capstone created a tool that generates routine cyber threat assessment reports for companies interested in strengthening their cybersecurity environment. A company will fill out a profile page that will guide the tool to scrape relevant information from six open-source intelligence sites and generate a personalized report enhanced by artificial intelligence. The tool is hosted on a webpage connected to risk3sixty's website and is free of charge for users. Companies can request automatic updated reports be emailed to the firm on a routine basis and the report fulfills cybersecurity compliance requirements such as ISO 27001 5.7A. This tool supports smallto-medium sized firms in understanding how to improve their security and prevent vulnerabilities and threat actors.”
Mwenda Mbui (computer science), Sarah Duong (industrial design), Kaylin Nolan (international affairs and modern languages), Christopher C. Parker (computer science), Tony Tanory (computer science), and Jessica Lucas (risk3sixty)
Team Summary: “The Denning Technology & Management capstone team developed Risk Calculate, a web-based cybersecurity risk quantification system enabling organizations to estimate cyber threats financially. Unlike time-consuming traditional analyses reliant on expertise, Risk Calculate combines the FAIR model with AI-powered scenario generation and Monte Carlo simulations for dynamic, defensible results. Users input basic company data (industry, size, revenue, inherent risks), and the tool generates three tailored risk scenarios. The system identifies the most vital scenario, refining it with targeted questions, changing variables for a customized output. In under two minutes, users receive a comprehensive output including loss exceedance curves, ISO 27001-compliant risk statements, and actionable recommendations. For instance, based on inputs, the platform might compute a potential $3 million loss 10% of the time, with a median loss of $1.5 million displaying a risk exposure distribution, not a single number. This grounds subjective considerations (e.g., "we can lose $3M") in probability and financial modeling. Organizations are now enabled to make more informed cybersecurity investment and response decisions. Risk Calculate serves as a strategic marketing asset for risk3sixty to bring in new leads and help educate users.”
Cailee Jackson (business administration: IT management), and Anthony Stroffolino (business administration: finance), Ansh Dalia (business administration: IT management), and Justin Cleckley (computer science)
Siemens: Weld Management Power BI Dashboard
Corporate Sponsors: Kyle Bogdal
Team Summary: “The Siemens capstone team developed a comprehensive Weld Management Dashboard using Microsoft Power BI to streamline welder qualification tracking and workforce planning. This interactive dashboard consolidates key data related to welder certifications, expiration dates, and renewal schedules into a centralized, user-friendly platform. Equipped with multiple slicers, users can filter data by platform, test, supervisor, or individual welder to quickly access relevant insights. A key feature also enables users to input a specific job and instantly generate a list of qualified welders, enhancing staffing efficiency. By centralizing critical information and ensuring consistent data access, the dashboard minimizes staffing errors, reduces the risk of non-compliance, and supports more informed, timely decision-making across teams.”
Connor Soncrant (mechanical engineering), Krisangi Bhargava (business administration: IT management), Tanju Özdemir (material science and engineering), Bhairavi Chhiba (economics), and Meri Mazurik (business administration: IT management)
Team Summary: “The SmartPM capstone team developed a financial dashboard to provide executives with oversight of financial data they identified as important for monitoring through a dashboard. Built in Metabase using data from Maxio - given to us in a SQL database - the dashboard allows for tracking business health and progress toward strategic goals from both yearly and monthly perspectives. The dashboard emphasizes key revenue and customer metrics that support informed decision-making and align with SmartPM’s long-term priorities. To create the dashboard, the team recommended Fivetran as a data connector and used SQL for data analysis and report preparation. The project was completed in three phases: Phase One involved breaking down the data and gathering information from key employees; Phase Two focused on KPI planning, data cleansing, and the recreation of essential Maxio reports; and Phase Three centered on building the final dashboard to deliver insights into daily financial operations. The capstone team created dynamic SQL queries to ensure the dashboard framework could be reused and scaled by SmartPM employees in the years to come.”
Mary Romano (public policy), Chabala (CJ) Kaunda Jr. (mechanical engineering), Jasmine Walker (business administration: IT management), Kai Lewis (business administration: IT management), and Mario Asiain-Ayala (business administration: strategy & innovation)
SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc.: Streamlining Engineering Analysis with AI
Corporate Sponsors: Kevin Okseniuk (T&M 2015, aerospace engineering) and Caitlin Hitchcock
Team Summary: “We developed and deployed an LLM-powered chatbot to assist users of QuickShot, SpaceWorks’ flight trajectory simulation and optimization software that is sold commercially to aerospace organizations. The chatbot serves as an intelligent assistant that enables users to query the QuickShot User’s Manual through natural language prompts without needing to consult the developers. Examples include variable definition, input file formatting, and feature descriptions. By making QuickShot’s capabilities more accessible, the assistant streamlines user interaction and enhances overall productivity for both customers and the SpaceWorks customer support team.”
Emily Cory (industrial engineering), Shlok Dholakia (computer engineering), Kelsey Bradford (computer science), and Kadin Story (computer science)
SteelCase: AMQ Claims Management Process Improvement Project
Best Capstone Project Team - 1st place (Tie)
Corporate Sponsors: Edward Vander Bilt and Jason Los
Team Summary: “The Denning Technology & Management Program Steelcase capstone team partnered with AMQ, a subsidiary of Steelcase, to redesign and streamline the claims handling process in anticipation of significant growth in sales volume over the next three years. Through leveraging stakeholder interviews, vendor insights, and comprehensive process analysis, the team integrated a Salesforce-based solution featuring standardized claim intake forms, a centralized analyst dashboard, integrated claim management tools, and a real-time dealer status page. This solution is projected to reduce average claim resolution time by 66%, allowing AMQ to efficiently handle increased claim volumes without adding headcount. Overall, the project will deliver an estimated $1.3 million to $1.7 million in cumulative savings over five years, while significantly enhancing dealer satisfaction and internal operational efficiency.”
Landon Barrett (business administration: IT management), Xander Coles (industrial engineering), Mackenzie Czerner (business administration: IT management), and Arina Shah (computer engineering)
Class Photos
GEORGIA TECH
DENNING TECHNOLOGY & MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
CLASS OF 2025
GEORGIA TECH
DENNING TECHNOLOGY & MANAGEMENT PROGRAM CLASS OF 2026
