Emily Pearson on creativity and innovation

Emily Pearson

Emily Pearson ’21 is a sophomore Environmental + Interior Design major in the School of Visual and Performing Arts, and a new Blackstone LaunchPad Global Media Fellow, utilizing her skill set as a designer and photographer as the social media manager for the LaunchPad’s new Instagram account, @LaunchPadSYR

Pearson was first introduced to the LaunchPad a year ago as an intern for a Julia Haber 18’, CEO of WAYV when she helped design and install WAYV’s proof of concept pop-up shop in Syracuse’s Marshall Street Mall with Rent the Runway. The pop-up was a weekend long event that quickly became the hottest thing on campus. In preparation to the event, Pearson spent a great deal of time working with Haber, ideating and bringing the pop-up to life.

Independently, Pearson played a leadership role in VISION, a cross campus student entrepreneurship club, and created a popular pop-up on the glass wall of the LaunchPad in Bird Library a part of last fall’s Global Entrepreneurship Week.  An interactive art project, Pearson and her team asked a simple question,” What are 10,000 Ideas That Can Change the World?’  Over just a few days, they quickly completely filled the front walls of the LaunchPad with inspirational ideas from students, faculty and staff interested in exploring innovation.

“I am exciting to be working in the LaunchPad as a Global Fellow this semester,” said Pearson. The LaunchPad is an incredible opportunity for innovative students who want to create, build and collaborate on something. I am surrounded by students who are establishing successful businesses, and who have an incredible future ahead of them. They are all definitely an inspiration for me.”

Pearson is a workaholic and is very involved on campus. She spends many late nights on school work, is on the executive board for The Women’s Network (club), works as an ambassador and peer advisor for the School of Design in the VPA, works remotely for WAYV, LLC. and just recently launched her own RSO with her co-president called Design Link.

Next year Emily will be studying abroad in the spring and couldn’t be more excited to explore entrepreneurial opportunities on a global scale. She has grown up traveling the world with her family, her passion for photography is on display through her Travel Journal here: www.epdesigns.org

A Los Angeles native, design enthusiast, and coffee lover, Pearson has an ambitious and innovative personality and do-it-all mindset. She is passionate about learning new skills furthering her professional career.  The LaunchPad is thrilled to welcome her as a new member of our team.  Watch for her photos in future Student Startup Spotlights.