Our Team

A native of Miami, Samantha Palmer-Shields, better known as “Sam”, joined The Launch Pad team in February 2013. She previously worked in many departments at the University of Miami including the Provosts Office – Faculty Affairs, School of Law Center for Ethics & Public Service, and it’s Legal Communication and Research Skills Program. Sam is a serial entrepreneur, lover of creativity, dream supporter, and embraces failure. Sam received her BA from Southern New Hampshire University and MSML degree from Western Governors University.

A longtime resident of Miami, Enrique joined The Launch Pad in 2020, after serving as Director of the Innovation Hub at Broward College. There he developed the Startup NOW Entrepreneur Training Program, a South Florida accelerator in partnership with CareerSource Broward that launched 41 startups since 2016. Enrique’s problem-solving mindset has been a constant in his pursuits in engineering, finance, software development, data analysis & modeling, automation, operations, management, entrepreneurship, publishing, mentoring, education & parenting. Aside from his role at The Launch Pad, he provides strategic and operational expertise and financial advice to selected early-stage and growth companies as a consultant. He holds BS and Master of Chemical Engineering degrees from Cornell University, and an MBA from Stanford University.

Tanayla Bentley is the newest member of The Launch Pad team, joining as the Program Coordinator. Her role will oversee and help design all programs within the department. Tanayla is a Miami native and is a mother of two. She features a background in retail management and enjoys designing events that create connections. She plans to continue seeking her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Miami.

Mandy is currently a junior earning her BBA in marketing with minors in business technology and finance. At The Launch Pad, Mandy is a venture consultant and a part of the social media team. Her objective at The Launch Pad is to work closely with clients to develop unique business ideas. (New paragraph) At the University of Miami, Mandy has taken on pivotal leadership roles, such as Administrative Director in her professional business fraternity, and Vice President of recruitment in her sorority.

Dylan Frith is a junior at the University of Miami studying Business Analytics with a minor in Finance. During his freshman and sophomore years, he played a pivotal role in the establishment of Century Fund—a student-led impact fund organization on campus. He took charge of devising the marketing strategy and leading the fashion sector group. Alongside his involvement at The Launch Pad, Dylan is deeply passionate about finance and business development. He is an active member of BLK Capital Management (BLK), an organization that focuses on educating Black students by exposing them to the field of active investment management.

Cam Ezell holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Miami. At The Launch Pad, he serves as a venture consultant and project lead where he focuses on managing The Launch Pad's website and data.
In 2013, Cam founded a website design company that offers clients modern web innovation, digital marketing campaigns, and powerful search engine optimization (SEO) services. Additionally, Cam is a Realtor® in the state of Florida and is passionate about analyzing South Florida's luxury real estate market.

Isabella is a senior at the University of Miami majoring in finance and minoring in both accounting and business analytics. During her childhood, she would create lemonade stands at my family members’ garage sales, which really ignited her interest in businesses and start-ups. Besides working at the Launch Pad, she involves herself with many on-campus clubs and organizations such as the Alliance of Latin American Students (ALAS), Association of Commuter Students (ACS), Running Club, and National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS).

Ustina is currently pursuing a degree in Finance and Entrepreneurship at the University of Miami. She aspires to establish her own Venture Capital firm in the future. To gain practical experience, she worked as a Summer Associate at Florida Funders, where she carefully analyzed more than 90 startups. Ustina’s passion for entrepreneurship and consulting grew during her involvement with The Launch Pad. Her objective is to offer clients a fresh and unique perspective, while simultaneously guiding them through the process of business creation.

Alongside her entrepreneurial pursuits, Ustina serves as a Program Manager for Project Destined, a real estate internship program that aims to help students gain tangible knowledge, seek out job opportunities, as well as connect with seasoned professionals in the industry. At the University of Miami, Ustina holds the position of Vice President in the Canes Finance Association, where she actively contributes to the organization’s activities and initiatives while highlighting the positive impact of mentorship.

Jordan is a Business Analytics student who is ambitious, hard-working, innovative, and dedicated to furthering his entrepreneurial passions. He has a long list of business experience from out-of-school organizations to personal ventures. His main expertise resides in web & app development, product design, and social media marketing. His main goal is to create a series of startups that utilize big data and new visualization trends to create innovative solutions to issues we encounter in our everyday lives.

James Popadick is a student studying Finance, Business Analytics, and Mathematics at the University of Miami. He joined The Launch Pad in 2023, eager to gain consulting experience in a wide range of sectors while also looking to provide creative and innovative solutions to clients in the growth process. Outside of The Launch Pad, James serves as the Vice President of Finance for the American Marketing Association (AMA) at UM. He is also a member of the Association of Latino Professionals for America, Canes Finance Association, and Target Canes. In the future, James aspires to work in the investment industry, and ultimately establish his own hedge fund and FinTech based company.

Leah is a senior at the University pursuing dual degrees in Public Health and Health Science on the pre-med track. She is currently enrolled in the 4+1 program for her Master of Public Health. Beyond academics, Leah serves as the President of the Tau Rho Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and is an active member of Minority Women in Medicine, Project Public Health, and Alpha Epsilon Delta. In her free time, you'll find her indulging in her love for cooking, spending quality time with friends and family, and exploring new destinations through travel.

Sahas is a student at the University of Miami studying business administration. At The Launch Pad, he serves as a Venture Consultant and Project Lead. Sahas has a background ranging from agricultural consulting to founding a power washing business and providing barber services. Additionally, Sahas works under licensed Realtors® in New Jersey, with a focus on sales. Passionate about the agricultural sector, Sahas aspires to be a venture capitalist, driving sustainable practices within the industry.

Nicholai Hansotia is a second year undergraduate student at the University of Miami perusing a degree in Exercise Physiology with a minor in Biology. Nicholai plans to further his education after, with the end goal of becoming a Physical Therapist. Nicholai enjoys spending time with friends, going to the gym, playing pickup sports, and enjoying the beach. He is a part of some clubs on campus, including the Chess club, Hurricane Productions, Physical Therapy Student Association and more.

Nikhil is a senior studying business technology and marketing at the Miami Herbert Business School. He has always had a passion for entrepreneurship. In the past three years, he has dedicated himself to developing the skills needed to create impactful products and businesses. Nikhil is passionate about working with clients to help them achieve their goals.

Sara is a Junior, double-majoring in Accounting and Business Technology from Atlanta, Georgia. She is actively involved in several university organizations including Alpha Kappa Psi, Distraction Magazine, and the Orientation staff. She is constantly seeking new opportunities to grow both professionally and personally.

Katie Teaford is currently a freshman earning her BSAF in finance and accounting with a minor in business analytics. For the past two years, she has been interning for the clean tech startup, Green Steel Environmental, where she assisted the leadership team with prep for a Seed Investment Round. In addition, she attended Entrepreneurship Week with the venture capital firm Science Inc. in Santa Monica. Furthermore, she is currently enrolled in the Young Presidents Organization Entrepreneurship University. Katie is passionate in continuing to explore the intersection of finance and creativity.

Carolina is a third-year student at the University of Miami School of Law. There, she is part of the Startup Clinic, where she assists entrepreneurs at The Launch Pad with legal issues. She is also the Marketing Director for the Miami Law Technology Club. Her law school coursework includes Trademark Law, Copyright Law, Business Associations, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Startup Law.

Carolina received her undergraduate degree in Journalism from St. John's University in New York City and lived in the city for a few years after graduation, working in research and television production roles for a news network.

Carolina was born and raised in Miami. She is passionate about business and first interned remotely at a sports marketing start-up called SEQL in 2020. This helped to foster her interest in entrepreneurship. In the beginning of 2024, Carolina started a travel and interior design website. She loves business and helping others, and is motivated to work with her peers to begin their ventures.

Colin is a finance major at the University of Miami. At The Launch Pad, he serves as a venture consultant and project lead. He was born and raised in Chicago. Colin has a background in entrepreneurship with expertise in clothing and apparel. He enjoys meeting new clients and helping them achieve their entrepreneurial goals.

Nishka Mishra is a freshman at the University of Miami, majoring in Management and Marketing. Originally from Cincinnati, she serves as a Venture Consultant and Project Lead at The Launch Pad. With aspirations to enter consulting and the media industry with goals to eventually own her own business, Nishka is passionate about fostering innovation and supporting new ventures.