Leaders

IDEAS Leaders are the “coaches” of IDEAS chapters. These individuals have helped to build, organize and create new and existing IDEAS chapters at different universities and communities across the World. They are the change agents in each community and help to facilitate internal and external relationships at their college, as well as coordinate with the different ‘Leaders’ and their IDEAS projects at their particular chapter.

Matt Atkins, IDEAS for FIU, President

Matt was born in Massachusetts and raised in North Carolina. He moved to Miami for school where he is studying Hospitality and Tourism, French, Asian studies, and Environmental studies at Florida International University. He has always been concerned with environmental issues and is excited to be working with IDEAS as well as the Students for Environmental Action, Recycling at FIU, and the Office of University Sustainability at FIU. The IDEAS club is working to increase recycling, waste reduction, clean energy practices, and habitat conservation for FIU’s natural preserve, greenhouse, and the Biscayne Bay on the north campus. The club will also be working with IDEAS for Miami to create community awareness and connect with other chapters of IDEAS.

Justin Vandenbroeck, Engineers Without Borders FSU / IDEAS For FSU / Pro Solar

Justin is an Industrial Engineering student at Florida State University in Tallahassee. His passion for sustainability has driven him to success in various avenues. Justin’s spark began in 2010 when he began designing and implementing photovoltaic systems with ProSolar Systems in Tallahassee. He served as Director of Photovoltaic Operations for Team Florida in the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2011 Solar Decathlon. After securing a sponsorship from SolarWorld on the project, he was offered an internship to work in their Engineering Department. Currently, he serves as Project Manager for the FAMU-FSU Chapter of Engineers Without Borders as they develop a solar energy project in South Africa. In addition, Justin is a leader of IDEAS for FSU and Director of Tallahassee Sustainability Group. He will be interning in the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy division at D.O.E. in Washington D.C. during the summer of 2012.

Brandt Absolu, IDEAS FIU-South, Co-President
Brandt is a student at FIU majoring in electrical engineering and the current President of the FIU-South chapter. He has a great interest in alternative energy sources, and living an environment-friendly lifestyle. His passion is riding my bike, and he loves getting other people to do so as well, because as he says “it’s always better with a friend.” Riding has proven to have social, health, financial, and environmental benefits, and he can confidently say that he’s experienced all of them. He hope that society as a whole can move forward and embrace such a lifestyle as we once did before cars became the norm.

Viktor Elsaieh, IDEAS for Haiti
Viktor El-Saieh was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and raised in Florida. He currently holds a BA in International Affairs from Florida International University and his primary interests are in environmental sustainability, urban planning, transportation systems and waste management. In 2009 he founded IDEAS for Miami, the Miami chapter of IDEAS (Intellectual Decisions on Environmental Awareness Solutions). IDEAS is a growing organization with over 10 university chapters throughout the country, 3 of which are based in Miami. He is currently forming the foundation for IDEAS’ first International chapter; IDEAS for Haiti. In addition, Viktor sits on the ACFFC (Art Creation Foundation for Children) advisory board and acts as a representative for this Haiti-based foundation.

Sydney Smith, IDEAS FIU  - Co-founder
Born and raised in Miami, FL with parents who are very much in tune with their environmental impact, I had no choice but to become passionate about the environment. My life has consisted of boating, fishing, camping and enjoying the natural world. I will be graduating in December 2011, which a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Florida International University. IDEAS Miami has so many opportunities to have a direct impact on South Florida’s ecosystem, including: mangrove restoration, coastal/ beach cleanups, reduction of plastic bags (T-totes initiative) and the promotion of alternative forms of transportation (Critical Mass bike ride). Working hand-in-hand with all the other IDEAS chapters we are making the world a better place for generations to come!

Jennifer Villatoro, IDEAS Miami-Dade College
Jenn is a Florida native. her overall goal is to empower everyone and inspire awareness in reducing their carbon-footprint by showing the power to create change towards a cleaner future. She’s currently majoring in Environmental Studies at Miami Dade College and will be transferring to FSU to major in Environmental Science and Policy. Her passion is to conserve and protect the environment; She’s been part of many movements in Miami with different organizations such as Environment Florida, 1sky, and Greenpeace. Jenn spent time with Urban Paradise Guild as an intern and nursery manager and constantly worked with numerous volunteers while teaching them the removal of non-native plants without pesticide and organic stewardship. And finally, she’s currently an intern for Oceana in our goal to ban offshore drilling in U.S. waters and have our elected officials stand with us. Jenn will be starting the IDEAS Chapter at Miami-Dade college and facilitating a lasting environmental movement.

Shayan N. Khatibi, IDEAS for Costa Rica
Shayan is a Florida native raised in Jacksonville. He is a driven young professional with a firing passion to transform our modern perception of food while focusing on sustainability. Shayan is a recent alumnus of the University of Central Florida where he earned his degree in Biology and focused his coursework in the fields of botany and biochemistry. Throughout his degree Shayan has also researched in the UCF Herbarium where he worked to increase the collection and continuously maintaining the existing specimen. In addition, he brings to the table hands on experience building and maintaining large, producing, gardens. Currently, Shayan is a horticulturist at the Walt Disney Resort where he works with a team of other horticulture professionals to construct and maintain all aspect of the landscapes. He has also taken first hand in undertakings such as the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival and Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Since its inception, Shayan has been a supporter and volunteer for IDEAS and now is working hand in hand to help showcase and implement sustainability efforts abroad.

Jomar Floyd, IDEAS for Tallahassee (FAMU)
Jomar was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi and later moved to Orlando, Florida. He currently resides in Tallahassee and attends Florida A&M University (FAMU); he will graduate summer 2011 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Management. He has a keen interest in sustainability, green jobs and social entrepreneurship. He began his tenacious acts of leadership in the environmental movement by co-hosting, organizing and implementing educational workshops and sustainability projects on campus with the FAMU Green Coalition (FGC), whereby he enlisted over 800 students and 125 faculty members signed pledges to live more sustainable life styles. Jomar Floyd is a founding member of the Florida YES (Youth Environmental Sustainability) Coalition; Civic Engagement Fellow with the Southern Energy Network (SEN) and Young Leaders Assembly Fellow with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF).  Floyd also served as an inaugural Green For All, College Ambassador during 2010-2011. He hopes this partnership, including the building of FSU I.D.E.A.S chapter, will foster a dynamic relationship to bring more awareness of promoting sustainability among the City of Tallahassee colleges and universities.

Jacob Robison, Co-founder & President of IDEAS For Binghampton
Jacob is an IDEAS Leader studying Natural Resources at SUNY Binghamton. After gaining the rank of Eagle Scout, he took the position of Director of Conservation at Camp Sequassen. He is the IDEAS for Binghamton chapter co-founder and president and helps pioneer the movement in the Northeast.

Robert King, Founder of IDEAS For Full Sail
Bachelors degree from the University of South Florida where I studied Applied Anthropology and Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Personal interests include sustainability in travel and tourism, food security, and the application of creative media.  Currently employed by Full Sail University and helping to start IDEAS for Full Sail!