Indaria Jones (https://www.linkedin.com/in/indariajones/), is a seasoned Syracuse community builder and business development specialist who has been active with the LaunchPad as an alum. Indaria is Founder and Chief Executive at The Creators Lounge, a co-working and innovation space for creatives in the City of Syracuse. Prior to this role, Indaria served as an Economic Development Specialist responsible for city-wide revitalization initiatives to increase investment through the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency (SIDA), Syracuse Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO), and Coronavirus Relief Programs. Indaria also served on a New York State Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) Advisory Group to accelerate economic investment for minority developers and the City of Syracuse Mayor’s Office communications team. Prior to that, she was engaged with St. Joseph’s Health on community initiatives. Her leadership has been recognized by Forbes Under 30, National Black Caucus, Central New York Biz Journal 40 Under 40, Syracuse.com, CNYCentral, Syracuse University Blackstone LaunchPad, CenterState CEO Business of the Year Finalist, and more.
She is a 2014 graduate of Syracuse University with a degree in business, majoring in marketing and management.
The LaunchPad Program Manager supports the mission of the Blackstone LaunchPad, which is part of SU Libraries. The LaunchPad is Syracuse University’s innovation hub, connecting the entire University’s resource-rich ecosystem with a global network that provides support for aspiring entrepreneurs, inventors and creators.
The position encompasses communications, outreach, events planning and management, as well as other engagement activities. A highly collaborative role, the program manager works with LaunchPad staff and academic units across campus to deliver effective programs that support the student experience and Syracuse University’s Academic Strategic Plan to create an innovation ecosystem across the institution that prepares participants to be trailblazers in an entrepreneurial world.
The search committee for the role was comprised of Syracuse University + LaunchPad alumni Amanda Chou, Erin Miller, Matt Shumer and Jason Kuperberg who represented various academic disciplines from across campus.