Georgia Tech’s Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems (BBISS) is welcoming a new leader to drive its mission of fostering interdisciplinary sustainability research that demonstrates a measurable impact. Kristin Janacek, who brings a wealth of experience in sustainability leadership, consulting, and industry collaboration, has been appointed associate director for Interdisciplinary Research Impact.

“My primary goal is to help drive collaboration and sustainability research on campus as an interdisciplinary grant development professional, seeking out what grants are appropriate for Georgia Tech colleagues to submit proposals for, and helping facilitate interdisciplinary research teams,” says Janacek, who graduated from Tech in 2005 with a master’s degree in aerospace engineering and then spent six years as a research engagement manager for the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering’s Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory.

In this newly created BBISS role, Janacek is eager to amplify the Institute’s interdisciplinary research portfolio and foster stronger relationships between Georgia Tech and its partners. Her primary focus is on interdisciplinary grant development to support innovative research, and secondarily, she will serve as research engagement manager, coordinating collaborative research opportunities with industry partners.

Before joining BBISS, Janacek was the North American sustainability lead at Avanade, a joint venture between Accenture and Microsoft, where she helped clients use data for impact-driven sustainability initiatives. Her career also included significant stints at GE, where she led sponsorships for energy-focused student competitions and volunteered with campus initiatives like the Georgia Tech Energy Camp. Janacek also co-founded a consulting firm with former GE colleagues and has worked closely with a range of partners to foster industry engagement. Her track record in marketing, sales, and business development will position her to build teams that can secure funding and deliver measurable results.

“I'm really excited about establishing a way to quantify the outcomes of BBISS’s efforts,” she says. “By tracking how many grants we've identified, applied for, and secured — and by assessing how the resulting research is driving tangible improvements in our community — we can clearly demonstrate the value and effectiveness of our work.”

She also plans to help community and industry partners become more engaged with BBISS’ work, leveraging her broad industry network to secure additional resources — whether that’s through volunteering, technical support, or real-world impact for community-based organizations.

“Corporate and industry organizations are always looking for a way to better their world around them, and they have mechanisms to help employees volunteer their time and knowledge,” she says.

Calling All Innovative Collaborators

Janacek welcomes engagement from faculty, researchers, and students who are passionate about making an impact — particularly those open to interdisciplinary collaboration. “I look forward to having an open dialogue about how we can combine disciplines to have a broader impact,” she says, adding that her ideal Georgia Tech partners are collaborative, open-minded, and forward-thinking in how they seek to advance their research.

Inspired by BBISS’ recent grant-writing workshop, Janacek says,  “I have a lot of ideas about how we can reach out to small businesses, community nonprofits, and industry partners.”

“Kristin’s combination of strategic skills, teamwork, and holistic vision signals a new chapter of meaningful impact at BBISS — one poised to benefit not only Georgia Tech, but also the wider communities the Institute serves,” says Ameet Pinto, BBISS’ associate director of Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration and Carlton S. Wilder Associate Professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Beyond the Office: Endurance, Wellness, Balance

Outside of work, Janacek is a seasoned triathlon competitor, certified triathlon coach, and avid tennis player. The mom of two sees physical and mental well-being as essential, just as achieving broader sustainability goals within communities and organizations depends on a balance between environmental, social, and economic factors.

— written by Anne Wainscott-Sargent