Meet The Team

The Blackstone LaunchPad and Techstars program at Syracuse University is supported by professional staff, as well as a talented team of student entrepreneurs who serve as mentors and subject matter experts.

The Dean of SU Libraries is the academic champion for the Blackstone LaunchPad and Techstars program at Syracuse University. It is led by an Executive Director who is a seasoned professional, with a background in innovation and development, and the program is supported by an independent consultant in a project management role who is graduate of the LaunchPad program and a venture founder.

The student team includes Global Fellows, Rubin Family Innovation Mentors, Orange Ambassadors, Todd B. Rubin Diversity and Inclusion Scholars, Hunter Brooks Watson Scholars and a Syracuse University Hult Prize Campus Ambassador.

Together, the LaunchPad team provides multi-disciplinary skill sets and expansive services to help all members of the Syracuse University community explore innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, and build professional and personal skill sets to succeed.

Executive Staff

David SeamanDean of SU Librariesdseaman@syr.edu

Linda Dickerson HartsockExecutive Directorldhart01@syr.edu

Nick BarbaProject Management Consultantnicholasbarba18@gmail.com

Global Fellows

LaunchPad Global Fellows are subject matter experts in various disciplines such as engineering, software and data management, industrial and interaction design and product development, graphic design, web design, UX-UI, all forms of digital media and content development, as well as marketing, sales and finance.

Claire Howard’23, Maxwell, economics and international relations

Emily Pearson’21, VPA, environmental and interior design

Patrick Linehan‘21, Arts and Sciences, newspaper and on-line journalism and policy studies

Sloane Sexton’21, VPA, communications design

Hanna SerajiG’22, iSchool, library and information science

Chris Appello’21, Newhouse, advertising

The Rubin Family Innovation Mentors

Rubin Family Innovation Mentors serve as peer advisors to a portfolio of student startups, coaching them on strategy and venture development.

Patrick PriolettiG’21 iSchool, graduate program, applied data science

Emma Rothman’21, Falk College, food studies

Sam Hollander’22, Whitman, finance and Newhouse, advertising dual major

James LePage’23 Whitman, real estate

Bruno LuizG’22, iSchool, graduate program, applied data science

Todd B. Rubin Diversity and Innovation Scholars

Todd B. Rubin Innovation and Diversity Scholars, funded through a generous gift from Todd B. Rubin ’04 School of Architecture, Minister of Evolution and President of the Republic of Tea, work to broaden diversity and inclusion outreach and programming, expand participation in entrepreneurship by underrepresented groups and support the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Tyra Ambroise JeanG ’21, Maxwell, public policy

Gabriela Holliman-Lopez’22, VPA, communications and rhetorical studies

Orange Ambassadors

Orange Ambassadors, also funded through a generous gift from Rubin, compliment the skills sets of our Global Fellows, supporting outreach and engagement with entrepreneurial students across campus.

Justin Diaz’23, College of Engineering and Computer Science, civil engineering

Alesandra (Sasha) Temerte’22, Arts and Sciences, economics, writing and rhetoric

Russell Fearon’19 and ‘G22, College of Engineering and Computer Science, mechanical engineering

Jackson Ensley’22, Whitman, marketing management

Emma Rothman’21, Falk College, food studies

Zain Edeen Elwakil’21, School of Architecture

Sam Hollander’22, Whitman, finance and Newhouse, advertising dual major

Season Chowdhury’23, College of Engineering and Computer Science, computer science

James Rudman’21, iSchool, information management and technology

Krishna Pamidi’21, Whitman, finance

Ellen Jorgensen’23, Arts and Sciences, earth sciences

Hunter Brooks Watson Scholar

Hunter Brooks Watson Scholars are supported through a generous gift from the Hunter Watson Memorial Fund. It is Inspired by Syracuse University’s Remembrance Scholar program, and was established as a way to honor the life and entrepreneurial spirit of Hunter Brooks Watson, a Syracuse University student who passed away after injuries suffered in a tragic 2016 distracted driving car accident. The Syracuse University Hunter Brooks Watson Scholar peer mentors students and builds the pipeline of innovative students who exemplify the "spirit of entrepreneurship."

Emma Rothman’21, Falk College, food studies

Hult Prize Syracuse University Campus Ambassador

The Syracuse University Hult Prize Campus Ambassador helps organize the campus Hult Prize competition at Syracuse University. It is part of a global competition that is often referred to as the “Nobel Prize” of student impact entrepreneurship.

Claire Howard’23, Maxwell, economics and international relations