{"677201":{"#nid":"677201","#data":{"type":"news","title":"How an ISyE Alumnus is Tackling Food and Housing Inequities ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFood insecurity isn\u2019t just about ramen and fast food. It\u2019s a serious issue where students can\u2019t consistently access the nutrition they need.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESuraj Sehgal (IE \u201818), former co-founder of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.tadaima.finance\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ETadaima, Inc.\u003C\/a\u003E and a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/youtu.be\/h9Cch0Jzib0\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ETEDx speaker,\u003C\/a\u003E has devoted his career to addressing critical issues such as food insecurity and human trafficking. Now pursuing an MBA at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/haas.berkeley.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBerkeley Haas,\u003C\/a\u003E specializing in Sustainable Business, Sehgal is deepening his commitment to creating impactful change. His journey began at Georgia Tech, where he discovered how to use his ISyE education to make a difference.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStarting with ISyE: A Foundation for Change\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESehgal chose to study \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EIndustrial and Systems Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (ISyE) for its unique combination of engineering and social sciences, aligning perfectly with his passion for solving global issues. His education equipped him with a versatile skill set, enabling him to bridge diverse fields and make a holistic impact.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAt Georgia Tech, I wasn\u2019t just a student; I became a catalyst for change by identifying how local food pantry resources could be optimized through a systems perspective,\u201d Sehgal reflects.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESehgal\u2019s determination to make a tangible impact inspired him and a group of friends to pursue \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/grandchallenges.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s Grand Challenges\u003C\/a\u003E, a living-learning program designed to equip students with the tools they need to tackle global problems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELocal Impact, Global Vision: Addressing Yellow Jacket Food Insecurity\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESehgal\u2019s initial focus was on addressing inefficiencies in international food aid, but he soon realized that meaningful impact could start closer to home.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the spring of 2015, Sehgal and his Global Grand Challenges team pivoted their efforts to tackle campus food insecurity through the Food Fighters initiative.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe realized that to make a meaningful impact, we needed to shift our focus to our own backyard,\u201d Sehgal explains.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy combining data-driven solutions with compassionate outreach, the team aimed to improve food access on campus. Their research culminated in the white paper, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/disabilityfeast.wordpress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/food_insecurity_at_georgia_tech_white_paper.pdf\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u201cHelping Our Own: Addressing Food Insecurity at the Georgia Institute of Technology,\u201d\u003C\/a\u003E which outlined several recommendations including:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EImproving Pantry Operations:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EHire full-time staff for \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/star.studentlife.gatech.edu\/klemis-kitchen\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EKlemis Kitchen\u003C\/a\u003E to manage stocking, food safety, dietary needs, volunteer coordination, and innovative pantry methods.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIncrease the availability of diverse, fresh, and nutritious food.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDeveloping Technology:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAddress food waste by developing apps for excess food distribution and improving the pantry\u2019s inventory system.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECreate a competition for students to enhance pantry operations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESupport research at the intersection of public policy and supply chain management to benefit the pantry.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDuring his time in ISyE, Sehgal\u2019s passion for making a difference wasn\u2019t confined to campus. He also represented the university at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.youthassembly.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EUnited Nations Youth Assembly\u003C\/a\u003E, where he connected with young leaders from around the world.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs he reflected in a \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/the-youth-assembly-at-the-united-nations\/changing-the-world-a-yout_b_9365734.html\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EHuffington Post\u003C\/a\u003E article, the experience underscored how local initiatives, like Food Fighters, are part of a much larger global movement aimed at creating a more equitable and sustainable world.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EContinuing the Legacy: Sehgal\u2019s Current Mission\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESehgal\u2019s work at Georgia Tech laid the foundation for his ongoing commitment to tackling pressing community issues. Now at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/haas.berkeley.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBerkeley Haas\u003C\/a\u003E, he continues to advocate for diverse and creative approaches to global challenges, emphasizing the importance of holistic and balanced solutions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to his academic pursuits, Sehgal co-founded \u003Cstrong\u003ETadaima, Inc.\u003C\/strong\u003E, a real estate startup aimed at disrupting the residential market by providing equity back to traditional renters. Alongside a fellow Georgia Tech graduate, Joseph Malecki, Suraj worked closely with various stakeholders, including renters, commercial real estate developers, and lenders.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAs a co-founder, I collaborated with a diverse group of professionals to craft our business plan, pitch to venture investors, and navigate the complex legal landscape,\u201d Sehgal explained. \u201cWe focused on customer discovery, developed marketing strategies, and even led info sessions to identify our first customers.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough Tadaima, Sehgal deepened his expertise in blockchain, securities law, and the regulatory challenges associated with equity-backed tokens, ultimately producing two core legal documents essential to business.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow pursuing an MBA at Berkeley Haas, he continues his mission for impactful change by jumping into the world of climate tech startups and early-stage venture capital, helping startups who hope to make a positive impact in the world.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E--\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you are interested in volunteering with Campus Kitchen Project: \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/linktr.ee\/gtckp\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESign Up to Volunteer\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E--\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAuthor: Nat M. Esparza, Communications Officer II\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESuraj Sehgal, a Georgia Tech ISyE alumnus, has dedicated his career to addressing critical issues like food insecurity and housing inequities. Starting with the Food Fighters initiative at Georgia Tech, Sehgal applied data-driven solutions to tackle campus hunger.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Suraj Sehgal\u2019s Fight for Improving Access to Essential Resources "}],"uid":"36481","created_gmt":"2024-09-30 17:59:58","changed_gmt":"2024-09-30 18:04:34","author":"nesparza7","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-09-30T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-09-30T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"675164":{"id":"675164","type":"image","title":"Suraj Sehgal","body":null,"created":"1727719314","gmt_created":"2024-09-30 18:01:54","changed":"1727719314","gmt_changed":"2024-09-30 18:01:54","alt":"Suraj Sehgal","file":{"fid":"258764","name":"Suraj.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/30\/Suraj.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/09\/30\/Suraj.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1919014,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/09\/30\/Suraj.png?itok=fmX15O2J"}}},"media_ids":["675164"],"groups":[{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}