Leadership and Staff
Shan Arora
Director
About Shan
Shan is a globally recognized leader in advancing regenerative building practices. To advance this mission, he draws on a diverse background spanning clean energy policy, sustainability, community engagement, business development, and tax policy. He holds both BA and JD degrees from Emory University and is Living Future Accredited by the International Living Future Institute—an acknowledgment of his expertise in the world’s most rigorous and holistic standards for sustainable design. Shan is part of Georgia Tech's ARI.
Brooke Johnson
Senior Facilities Manager
About Brooke
Brooke began her sustainability journey as a student, volunteer urban farmer, and a beekeeper at Georgia Tech. After graduation, she was hired at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve as a Project and Operations Manager and learned about building systems and how to manage a building through the lens of sustainability. Brooke is part of Georgia Tech's Building Operations & Customer Service Department.
Cindy Spalding
Research Program Manager
About Cindy
Cindy Spalding serves as ARI's Research Program Manager where she supports the team across program administration, operations, procurement, event planning, and programmatic travel. She also manages the communications and engagement efforts for tours of the Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design. Cindy holds a Bachelor of Journalism with an emphasis in Advertising from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
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2025 Kendeda Building Fellows
In 2021 we launched our Kendeda Building Fellows program. They lead tours of The Kendeda Building, execute data visualization, and create social media content that furthers the mission of The Kendeda Building: to inspire change on the Georgia Tech campus and across the Southeast building industry.
Renee Alnoubani
Master of City and Regional Planning ’27
About Renee
Renee is dedicated to building regenerative, holistic, and just communities. She leads the Green Team for Roswell Community Masjid's new construction project that is aspiring to be the first faith-based certified Living Building in the world.
Kiran Kapileshwari
Mechanical Engineering ’26
About Kiran
The Kendeda Building was one of the reasons Kiran decided to attend Georgia Tech. He has a deep appreciation for the outdoors and serves as a sea kayaking instructor. This experience inspired Kiran to intertwine engineering with his interests in community and sustainability, contributing to organizations such as Urban Agriculture and Students Organizing for Sustainability.
Lauren Otobor
Civil Engineering ’26
About Lauren
Lauren is passionate about preserving her family's ancestral Sapelo Island on the coast of Georgia. She hopes to parlay her experience in commercial construction management into a career making affordable, regenerative homes. She has obtained her Living Future Accreditation.
Jeremiah Dang
Architecture ’28
About Jeremiah
Jeremiah is our first Fellow majoring in Architecture! His hobbies include cooking, reading (mainly horror and history), learning languages (ASL, Spanish, and Vietnamese), and doing research into urban policy, smart design, geopolitics, linguistics, and of course architecture.
Norah Lefleur
Environmental Engineering '28
About Norah
Norah has a particular interest in wastewater treatment systems. In her free time, she plays Roller Derby, is an active member of Greek Life, and is always looking for volunteer opportunities that allow her to get out into nature.
Rebecca Muñoz
Civil Engineering '27
About Rebecca
Rebecca is the tech lead for the Engineers without Borders - Ecuador Project. Besides school, she likes to play volleyball or dance with GT Salsa. She is looking forward to working with the Kendeda Building Fellowship and learn more about the applications of sustainable design in structures.
Tashfia Towhid
Civil Engineering '28
About Tashfia
Tashfia loves scouting out new coffee shops and finding spontaneous adventures. She is always looking for new experiences, whether that’s traveling somewhere new, volunteering, or just spending time with friends and family.