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 is a student at the University of Miami studying accounting and finance. At The Launch Pad, he serves as a venture consultant and project lead.
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 upscale 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.