Jennifer Chirico leads the energy and infrastructure initiative at Georgia Tech’s Strategic Energy Institute. She is a longtime Yellow Jacket, bringing more than 25 years of sustainability experience as the inaugural associate vice president of Sustainability at Georgia Tech. In this role, she oversees the Office of Sustainability and works across the Institute on emissions reductions, clean energy, water management, circular economy, sustainable technology, and strategy.

Chirico led the development and publication of the Institute’s first Climate Action Plan and co-led Tech’s sustainability plan, Sustainability Next. She is LEED Green Associate (Leed GA) accredited and holds certifications in the Carbon Disclosure Project, the Global Reporting Initiative, WaterSense, climate action planning, and Home Energy Survey Professional.

She holds a Ph.D. in public policy from Georgia Tech, a master’s in public health with a major in environmental health, and a bachelor’s degree in management from Georgia Tech. She has published books and written numerous chapters on sustainability related to systems thinking, net zero strategies, adaptive management, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on leadership for the collective well-being.

Below is a brief Q&A with Chirico in which she discusses her focus areas and how her work at Georgia Tech influences the energy and infrastructure initiative here.

• What is your field of expertise, and at what point in your life did you first become interested in this area? 

My field of expertise is sustainability, with a focus on the intersection of environmental, social, and economic systems. Although I began my career in finance, I discovered my passion for sustainability during a year I spent working abroad in New Zealand in 2000. That experience opened my eyes to the importance of balancing economic development with environmental stewardship and social responsibility. When I returned to the United States, I pursued a master’s degree in environmental health, followed by a Ph.D. in environmental policy. Over the past 25 years, I’ve dedicated my career to advancing sustainability and creating meaningful impacts. I continue to be inspired by the tangible, positive results that emerge when organizations integrate sustainability principles into their decision-making.

• What questions or challenges sparked your current work at Georgia Tech? What are the big issues facing the campus infrastructure right now as it relates to energy?

One of the most pressing challenges today is strengthening resilience for our infrastructure, well-being, and natural resources. As our environment continues to change, the ability to both mitigate impacts and adapt effectively is essential to our success. In my work, I am committed to advancing a healthier, safer, and more sustainable campus. Much of my work focuses on planning, reporting, and guiding efforts to build a stable, reliable, and clean energy infrastructure. A major part of this involves balancing firm energy sources with intermittent renewable sources in a way that ensures both reliability and sustainability. Georgia Tech has already made meaningful progress by installing over 1 megawatt of solar capacity and piloting the Stryten battery storage system. These projects demonstrate what is possible. We still have a long way to go to reduce our emissions and scale clean energy solutions across campus. Continuing to strengthen our energy resilience and expand renewable integration will be critical to meeting our long‑term goals.

• What interests you the most about leading the energy and infrastructure initiative? Why is your initiative important to Georgia Tech’s energy goals? 

What interests me most is the opportunity to collaborate with some of the nation’s top energy researchers to identify the most resilient, scalable, and forward‑thinking energy solutions for our campus. I’m particularly passionate about bridging the gap between research and operations to support turning innovative work into tangible, real‑world applications that strengthen Georgia Tech’s infrastructure. Building strong partnerships across academics, operations, and industry is central to this effort. When these groups work together, we can accelerate progress, pilot new technologies, and create a living-learning campus that demonstrates what a resilient, low‑carbon future can look like.

• What are the broader regional, global, and social benefits of the energy and infrastructure initiative at Georgia Tech?

It creates benefits that reach far beyond our campus. By implementing clean, resilient energy systems, we contribute to regional progress in the Southeast. Our campus can serve as a model and test bed, demonstrating scalable solutions and sharing best practices with peer institutions, local governments, and industry partners. Globally, our research and operational innovations support the broader transition to cleaner, more reliable energy systems. And socially, these efforts promote healthier communities, reduce environmental burdens, and help prepare a skilled workforce for the rapidly growing energy sector.

• What are your hobbies? 

My favorite hobbies are hiking, reading, yoga, and paddleboarding. I also love spending time in nature and with family and friends.