The Launch Pad Team is comprised of entrepreneurs, inventors, business professionals, and students who are committed to helping you at every stage of your entrepreneurial journey. Check back soon for the full list of our Office Team, Venture Coaches, and volunteers. If you would like to join The Launch Pad team, please contact us!
Members
Susan Amat - Ph.D., Executive Director
Susan (B.L.A. '01, M.B.A. '04, Ph.D. '08) is the Executive Director of The Launch Pad at Toppel. Susan ventured into the music business as a concert promoter at age 15. A serial entrepreneur, she started and ran a successful record label, developing a television show which aired on the E! Network and the first CD-Rom magazine, and was a consultant to media outlets, record labels, and retail stores on marketing and strategy issues. Susan then moved on to the health care sector, creating products focusing on health monitoring and preventing childhood obesity. Susan has consulted extensively on brand development and management, strategic planning, and marketing in industries including high-tech, retail, health care, and non-profits. She currently serves as a lecturer in the Department of Management at the School of Business Administration, teaching courses in strategy, entrepreneurship, and organizational behavior.
Will Silverman - Assistant Director, Venture Initiatives
William completed his Ph.D. in physiology at UCLA and migrated into business after realizing that his previous career as a biomedical researcher was a long-term exercise in entrepreneurship and start-up financing. His research explored areas as diverse as cardiology, immunology, and treatments for traumatic brain injury and has resulted in nearly a dozen publications in scientific journals. He has also lectured in graduate level neuroscience courses at the Miller School of Medicine at UM. William is committed to commercializing and promoting cutting-edge medical technologies, from original inception through product launch. He first joined The Launch Pad as one of its original Venture Coaches and is a recent graduate of UM with an M.B.A. with dual concentrations in finance and marketing.
Judith Javelly - Senior Manager, Programs and Operations, judithj@miami.edu
Judith Javelly (B.A., M.B.A.) is the Senior Manager of Programs and Operations at The Launch Pad at Toppel. She brings education and experience to this position, having earned her M.B.A. at The Wharton Graduate School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and having a breadth of business and community work experience, including corporate banking, financial and marketing research at Merrill Lynch (NYC), international product marketing at Avon Products, Inc. (NYC), and fundraising for various non-profit organizations (Miami, FL). Her expertise lies in the areas of program development and implementation, budget and financial management, strategic planning and marketing. Prior to joining The Launch Pad, Judith was at UM for seven years, first in the Division of Continuing and International Education, and then for five years prior to joining The Launch Pad, she was the Program Administrator for a $20 Million NCI contract at the UM Miller School of Medicine.
Lexi Matiash - Public Relations and Event Manager
Lexi Matiash, B.S.Ed. '08 and M.A. '10, is a dedicated Hurricane and has been at the University of Miami as both a student and staff member working with various departments in the Division of Student Affairs. She recently earned her M.A. in Public Relations from the UM School of Communication, where she was first introduced to The Launch Pad while assisting on a brand management campaign. She joins The Launch Pad with public relations, event planning and strategic communications experience. Her most recent event work includes: UM commencement ceremonies and graduation events; Clinton Global Initiative-University 2010 hosted at UM; various student convocations, homecoming and orientation activities at UM; concerts and shows at the BankUnited Center, Coral Gables; and Super Bowl events in 2007 and 2010. She is excited to help The Launch Pad once again repeat as the top campus host for the 2010 Global Entrepreneurship Week, November 15-19 at UM, and offer PR training and mentoring to students. When she's not at The Launch Pad, you can find Lexi teaching studio cycling at the Herbert Wellness Center.
Brian LeBlanc - Web Developer
Brian is launching a web marketing and development company in South Florida after having spent the past 3 years working for small web marketing companies in Houston, Texas. During that time, he has developed software used by The Houston Zoo, Reliant Park (home of the Texans football team), and the Houston Red Cross. Brian’s expertise ranges across all aspects of the web, from design and development to social media, search engine optimization, and analytics. Brian received his B.A. from Rice University in 2006.
Seth Levy - Fellow
Seth Levy is a serial entrepreneur from Washington D.C. A member of the 2010 graduating class at the University of Miami School of Business, Seth has been working with The Launch Pad as a project manager since it opened in August of 2008. In addition to his work with The Launch Pad, Seth is currently working on a multi-national skateboarding related venture with its home base in Miami and continuing his past work as a consultant for people in the entertainment industry. His business background is in entertainment, action sports, international business, hi-tech, and real estate development.
Adrian Alvarez - Fellow
Adrian Alvarez, born and raised in Miami, Florida, is both an alumnus of the University of Miami, graduating in 2007 with a B.B.A in International Finance and Marketing, and a current student enrolled in the JD/MBA program. In addition to his studies, Adrian is currently working on the company he founded in 2007, PrepSmart, a test prep service company that provides private and small group tutoring for standardized exams including the SAT, ACT, and LSAT. He joined The Launch Pad in the Spring of 2010 and has been involved in a variety of projects and events.
Steve Ehrlich - Fellow
Tyler McIntyre - Fellow
Tyler McIntyre is a freshman at the University of Miami. Originally from Philadelphia, he graduated from high school a year early to pursue more advanced business and technology courses. A serial entrepreneur himself, Tyler founded Lucid Technologies, a company that specializes in mobile applications. Tyler has also become an integral part of The Launch Pad team, working with aspiring student entrepreneurs to develop their ventures from idea to reality.
Jessica Covell - Fellow, jessicacovell@hotmail.com
Jessica Covell is a PhD Student with interest in International Relations and Comparative Politics. Her current work focuses on NGO’s in development and the changing models of non-profit organizations in Haiti. Her professional background includes private sector experience with a focus on operations and planning. She looks to combine her academic background with her professional one in her studies of non-profit organizations. Jessica also works as a consultant with companies looking to improve operations through effective policies and procedures. Working with the Launch Pad since the fall of 2008, Jessica has been involved in a variety of projects and events.
Brian Wismar - Fellow, b.wismar@umiami.edu
Brian Wismar was hired by the Launch Pad to research international trade and consult entrepreneurs with importing and exporting, a skill set he developed working with the Louisiana Small Business Development Center. Brian has gained experience promoting various musical groups by booking shows, contracting other bands, producing recording sessions, and playing bass guitar. Brian holds a Certificate of Artistry from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and has performed at prestigious events such as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. He is pursuing an undergraduate degree at the Miami School of Business Administration.
Michael Snyder - Fellow
Michael is a freshman undergraduate student at the University of Miami. As a finance student, Michael has been working on his own venture development while organizing data and assisting in The Launch Pad office. He has retail sales experience from working as an assistant salesperson. His interests are web development, theatre, business services, and emerging industries.
Alejandro Hernandez - Work Study
Julie Dahlgard - Fellow
Julie Dahlgard has a broad background in engineering, design, and business. After completing her BSME from UM, she moved to California where she worked in the aerospace industry. She then attended Stanford's Design School where she was awarded her MSE. Stanford's unique program blended well with her creative, collaborative, and cross-disciplinary problem solving skills. She worked for several years focusing on engineering and manufacturing while helping to develop cutting edge consumer electronics, medical devices, and toys. Shifting to her artistic and business interests, Julie opened her own interior design business in San Francisco. To further broaden her skills, she has recently returned to UM for law school. Along the way, Julie has helped artists, designers, and engineers achieve their entrepreneurial goals.
Melissa Krinzman - Senior Entrepreneurial Fellow
Melissa Krinzman has a twenty-year history of starting, growing and advising private companies and non-profit organizations and is a frequent speaker on the topic of business plan development. Ms. Krinzman is the Managing Director of Venture Architects LLC, positions private companies for success in the capital-raising process through the development of business plans, financial projections, and investor presentations. Since 1998, Venture Architects has worked with over 500 companies that have raised approximately $750 million in investment capital.
