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

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.

Brandon Henry
Brandon Henry‘24 Maxwell, Economics
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’26 Maxwell
      Kishan Rathor
      Kishan Rathor'24 iSchool
        Priscilla Cruz
        Priscilla Cruz'24 iSchool
        Di Wang
        Di Wang'24 Whitman

          Blackstone LaunchPad Community Managers

          Neil Adams
          Neil Adams’25 Falk
            Aditee Malviya
            Aditee MalviyaEngineering and Computer Science
              Mariah Brown
              Mariah Brown

                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)
                  Ud Joseph
                  Ud Joseph‘24, iSchool, Information Management & Technology
                  Sam Schreiber
                  Sai Krishna Bolla
                  Sai Krishna BollaMS in Information Systems '23
                    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)
                    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.