Meet The Team


The Blackstone LaunchPad 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. Student roles are supported through generous donors to SU Libraries. 

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

Executive Staff

David Seaman
David SeamanDean of SU Librariesdseaman@syr.edu
Linda Dickerson Hartsock
Linda Dickerson HartsockFounder and Advisor, Strategic Initiativesldhart01@syr.edu
Traci Geisler
Traci GeislerDirectortlgeisle@syr.edu
Indaria Jones
Indaria JonesProgram Managerijones@syr.edu

The LaunchPad Innovation Mentors

The LaunchPad Innovation Mentors serve as peer advisors to a portfolio of student startups, coaching them on strategy and venture development. The LaunchPad Innovation Mentors are funded through generous gifts from Todd B. Rubin (’04) and William F. Gaske (‘72).

Andrew Kim
Andrew Kim‘24, Whitman, Marketing Management and Finance
Natasha Brao
Natasha BraoG'23 Whitman
Alan Malekar
Alan MalekarG' 24 iSchool

    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.

    Ud Joseph
    Ud Joseph‘24, iSchool, Information Management & Technology
    Motolani Oladitan
    Motolani Oladitan’24 Arts & Sciences/iSchool

      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.

      Renee Kurie
      Renee Kurie’26 Newhouse
        Sarah Schreiber
        Sarah Schreiber’25 Maxwell
          Kishan Rathor
          Kishan Rathor'24 iSchool
            Sarah Schreiber
            Sarah Schreiber'26 Arts & Sciences
              Priscilla Cruz
              Priscilla Cruz'24 iSchool
                Di Wang
                Di Wang'24 Whitman

                  Blackstone LaunchPad Community Managers

                  Brandon Gilbert
                  Brandon Gilbert’25 Falk

                    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.

                    Sarah Schreiber
                    Sarah Schreiber’25 Maxwell

                      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."

                      Jack Rose
                      Jack Rose‘23 Whitman

                      Former Team Members

                      Ethan Tyo
                      Ethan TyoFood Studies, Falk
                      (Graduate, 2021)
                      Sydney Groso
                      Sydney Groso'23 Falk/Maxwell
                      (Graduate, 2023)
                      Claire Howard
                      Claire Howard‘23, Maxwell
                      (Graduate, 2023)
                      Zach Goldstein
                      Zach GoldsteiniSchool
                      (Undergrad, 2022)
                      Sasha Temerte
                      Sasha Temerte‘23 Arts & Sciences / Maxwell, Economics, Writing & Rhetoric
                      (Graduate, 2023)
                      Rob Goldblatt
                      Rob GoldblattWhitman
                      (Graduate, 2023)
                      Kelly Davis
                      Kelly DavisWhitman
                      (Undergrad, 2023)
                      Justin Gluska
                      Justin GluskaEngineering and Computer Science
                      (Undergrad, 2023)
                      Coral Hunter Coad
                      Coral Hunter Coad'23 VPA
                      Ben Ford
                      Ben FordWhitman
                      (Undergrad, 2023)
                      Jack Ramza
                      Jack RamzaWhitman
                      (Undergrad, 2022)
                      Noah Mechnig-Giordano
                      Noah Mechnig-GiordanoEngineering & Computer Science
                      (Graduate, 2023)
                      Aidan Mickleburgh
                      Aidan MickleburghEngineering and Computer Science
                      (Graduate, 2023)
                      Brandon Henry
                      Brandon Henry‘24 Maxwell, Economics
                      Diego Luna
                      Diego LunaLaunchStar Fall '20-Spring '21
                      Joshua Alter
                      Joshua Alter‘22, Whitman, Finance
                      Selim Dangoor
                      Selim DangoorWhitman
                      (Undergrad, 2023)
                      Alexandra Santagelo
                      Alexandra Santagelo‘23, VPA, Industrial and Interaction Design
                      Samba Soumare
                      Samba Soumare‘24, Maxwell, International Relations
                      Carlos Magdaleno
                      Carlos Magdaleno‘23, Newhouse, Advertising
                      Season Chowdhury
                      Season Chowdhury‘23 College of Engineering and Computer Science
                      Jackson Ensley
                      Jackson Ensley’22, Whitman, Marketing
                      Matt Keenan
                      Matt Keenan‘22, Whitman, Marketing Management
                      Bruno Gonzalez Hauger
                      Bruno Gonzalez Hauger’21 G'22 Whitman, Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises
                      James LePage
                      James LePage‘22 Whitman, Real Estate and EEE
                      Natalie Lui
                      Natalie Lui‘22 Visual and Performing Arts, Fashion Design and History
                      Ze Zing
                      Ze Zing‘22 Whitman, Finance and Business Analysis
                      Nick Barba
                      Nick Barba'20 Whitman
                      Sam Hollander
                      Sam Hollander'21 Whitman
                      Alec Gilinder
                      Alec GilinderRubin Family Innovation Mentor Fall '19—Spring '20
                      Alesandra (Sasha) Temerte
                      Alesandra (Sasha) TemerteOrange Ambassador Fall '20—Spring '21
                      Amanda Chou
                      Amanda ChouGlobal Media Fellow Spring '17—Spring '18
                      Amos Cohen
                      Amos CohenGlobal Media Fellow Spring '17
                      Audrey Miller
                      Audrey MillerHunter Brooks Watson Scholar Spring '20
                      Avi Singhal
                      Avi SinghalIntern Summer '17
                      Bridget McDonough
                      Bridget McDonoughGlobal Media Fellow Fall '18—Spring '19
                      Bruno Luiz
                      Bruno LuizRubin Family Innovation Mentor Fall '20—Spring '21
                      Chris Appello
                      Chris AppelloGlobal Media Fellow Fall '20
                      Christian Medina
                      Christian MedinaIntern Fall '16
                      David Fox
                      David FoxGlobal Media Fellow Spring '17—Spring '19
                      Emily Pearson
                      Emily PearsonGlobal Media Fellow Fall '18—Spring '21
                      Emma Rothman
                      Emma RothmanHBW Scholar & Fellow Fall '19—Spring '21
                      Elizabeth Tarangelo
                      Elizabeth TarangeloGlobal Media Fellow Summer '18—Fall '18
                      Emily Dang
                      Emily DangIntern Spring '17
                      Gabriela Holliman-Lopez
                      Gabriela Holliman-LopezDiversity and Innovation Scholar Fall '20—Spring '21
                      Jackson Siporin
                      Jackson SiporinGlobal Media Fellow Spring '21
                      Jake deHahn
                      Jake deHahnGlobal Media Fellow Spring '18—Spring '19
                      Jalen Nash
                      Jalen NashGlobal Media Fellow Spring '19—Spring '20
                      James Rudman
                      James RudmanOrange Ambassador Fall '20—Spring '21
                      Justina Hnatowicz
                      Justina HnatowiczGlobal Media Fellow Fall '17—Spring '18
                      Justin Diaz
                      Justin DiazOrange Ambassador Fall '20—Spring '21
                      Justin Lee
                      Justin LeeGlobal Media Fellow Fall '18
                      Kaizhao Zero Lin
                      Kaizhao Zero LinGlobal Media Fellow Spring '21
                      Kate Beckman
                      Kate BeckmanGlobal Media Fellow Summer '17
                      Kayla Simon
                      Kayla SimonHunter Brooks Watson Scholar Fall '18—Spring '19
                      Kelsey Davis
                      Kelsey DavisRubin Family Innovation Mentor Fall '19—Spring '20
                      Kennedy Patlan
                      Kennedy PatlanGlobal Engagement Scholar Fall '17
                      Krishna Pamidi
                      Krishna PamidiGlobal Media Fellow Fall '20—Spring '21
                      Lawrence Lin
                      Lawrence LinGlobal Fellow Spring '17—Fall '17
                      Luz Perez
                      Luz PerezGlobal Engagement Scholar Spring '18
                      Matt Shumer
                      Matt ShumerRubin Family Innovation Mentor Fall '19—Spring '20
                      Megan Swanson
                      Megan SwansonIntern Fall '16
                      Michael McCormack
                      Michael McCormackGlobal Media Fellow Spring '18
                      Nick Barba
                      Nick BarbaGlobal Fellow Fall '19—Spring '20
                      Patrick Linehan
                      Patrick LinehanGlobal Media Fellow Fall '20—Spring '21
                      Patrick Prioletti
                      Patrick PriolettiRubin Family Innovation Mentor Fall '19—Spring '21
                      Quentin Rosso
                      Quentin RossoGlobal Fellow Fall '17—Spring '18
                      Quinn King
                      Quinn KingRubin Family Innovation Mentor Fall '19—Spring '20
                      Russell Fearon
                      Russell FearonOrange Ambassador Fall '20—Spring '21
                      Sam Hollander
                      Sam HollanderGlobal Media Fellow Fall '18—Spring '21
                      Saniya More
                      Saniya MoreGlobal Media Fellow Spring '18
                      Season Chowdhury
                      Season ChowdhuryOrange Ambassador Fall '20—Spring '21
                      Sukhmeet Singh
                      Sukhmeet SinghIntern Fall '16—Spring '17
                      Sloane Sexton
                      Sloane SextonGlobal Media Fellow Fall '20—Spring '21
                      Tyra Ambroise Jean
                      Tyra Ambroise JeanDiversity and Innovation Scholar Fall '20—Spring '21
                      Victoria Lawson
                      Victoria LawsonGlobal Media Fellow Spring '18—Spring '20
                      Will DeVito
                      Will DeVitoGlobal Media Fellow Spring '19—Spring '20
                      Zain Edeen Elwakil
                      Zain Edeen ElwakilOrange Ambassador Fall '20—Spring '21

                      Learn more about the Blackstone LaunchPad powered by Techstars global network at blackstonelaunchpad.org.