Meet Our Team

Hadar Borden is the program director of Blackstone LaunchPad and director of the WNY Prosperity Fellowship Program.

Prior to her current roles, Hadar served for eight years as the administrative director of the University at Buffalo’s Undergraduate Academies, the collaborative, interdisciplinary living-and-learning communities for undergraduates. She was formerly the assistant administrative director of the University Honors College and before that served as an assistant director in the Office of Admissions. 

A University at Buffalo alumnus, Hadar holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in geography with a concentration in international business and world trade. In 2012, Hadar was awarded the State University of New York Chancellor’s Award in Professional Service in recognition of her professional accomplishments.

A true “UB Believer,” Hadar bleeds UB Blue. Hadar stays busy outside of UB as well. A mother of two young sons, she is married to David Borden (BS ’97, MBA ’01). He plays in a local Buffalo rock band and is active in their synagogue, Temple Beth Zion. Hadar also engages in her community as a member of the Junior League of Buffalo, where she collaborates and innovates with a group of inspiring, accomplished women. Additionally, she serves as a commissioner on the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women; is a member of the board for Women Elect; is a trustee on the board of the Buffalo Jewish Federation; participates in the WNY Women’s Foundation-Advocacy committee; is a member of the Smallwood Elementary School Parent Teacher Association; and was and recognized by Buffalo Business First as a member of the 2013 Class of Forty under 40.

Tom Ulrich provides strategic oversight of the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) and works to advance the center's mission of invigorating the Western New York economy and community through entrepreneurial development.

As one of our community's most passionate advocates for small business, and a business owner himself, Tom intimately understands the incredible significance of entrepreneurship to our economy and culture.

Tom has dedicated his personal and professional work to small business advocacy. He is a member of the National Federation for Independent Business' New York State Leadership team and a frequent author and orator on topics concerning the importance of small business and entrepreneurship to the vitality of the American economy.

A testament to Tom's insights is his recent TEDx talk, “Is There a Better Way?'' which explores the necessity of developing entrepreneurial skills and spirit in students from a young age. In a world where modern technology and unprecedented access to information have rendered entrepreneurial skills essential, Tom's keen business sense and unique knowledge are invaluable.

Under Tom's direction, the CEL has expanded its sophisticated interdisciplinary approach to educating emerging business leaders centered on best and next practices backed by the thought leadership of the UB School of Management. The CEL has been recognized multiple times as one of the Top 100 Small Business Influencers in North America.

Alex Pelc is the student engagement coordinator for Blackstone LaunchPad at UB and also serves as the senior program coordinator for the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL), an organization dedicated to helping small businesses in the Buffalo area. Specifically, Alex works with early stage minority- and women-owned businesses in overseeing the CEL’s Allstate Minority and Women Emerging Entrepreneurs program. She also works closely with student entrepreneurs as she administers the Panasci Technology Entrepreneurship Competition.

An alumnus of the UB School of Management, Alex holds a bachelor’s degree from the University at Buffalo, where she studied business administration and Spanish with a concentration in international trade and marketing. Currently, she is pursuing a master's degree in international trade. 

Alex has been recognized as a Small Business Association Women in Business Champion and a Buffalo Niagara 360 Spotlight Professional. When she's not working, Alex loves to explore new restaurants and to cook and entertain at home.

Biomedical research | Business development | Project management. High tech ventures, Life science ventures, Engineering, Technology, Public Speaking, Pitching, Presentations. Venture coach since May 2017. 60+ students coached, 200+ coaching sessions.

I am an excellent communicator, strategic thinker and a natural leader, and my greatest strength is my ability to work effectively across multiple constituencies. I am always striving to bring 100% to the work I do. I am adaptable and dedicated towards learning new things. I believe that learning is a never-ending process. 

I was the kid who didn’t break apart my Rubik’s cube so that I could get all the colors lined up – I commited to issues and battled to find the solutions. With my optimistic approach towards innovation, I have challenged myself at every point and I have not stopped taking on impossible. 

I love meeting new people, I like to collaborate with the diverse community to make a difference in people's lives. I also love the outdoors and playing recreational sports as well as helping out in my community.

Hailing from Rochester, N.Y., George Gombert is a senior mechanical engineering student and a student assistant for the Blackstone LaunchPad. He is involved in UB’s theater community and is also an active trip leader with the Outdoor Adventure Club. George is excited to be graduating in this time of resurgence and revitalization in Western New York. Outside of school, George likes to travel, rock climb, build things (see: the Blackstone LaunchPad’s rocket ship) and sail.

A New York City native, Iris Lopez is a student assistant who will graduate this year from UB with a Bachelor of Science in business administration. As the designated artist in Blackstone LaunchPad and the contacts manager for UB Campus Ambassadors, Iris hopes to learn the ropes behind running a business and reaching out to people of all backgrounds.

Following her return from her first-of-many mission trips to Nicaragua, Iris has rediscovered her passion to help those in need. Using her profound compassion and determination, Iris plans to pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in wildlife surgery with a focus on animal advocacy. She hopes to one day run her own animal sanctuary or clinic.

A Buffalo native, Taylor Speer is a graduate assistant who is pursuing an MBA with a concentration in marketing. In 2016, Taylor graduated summa cum laude from Canisius College with a bachelor's degree in marketing.

Her prior work experiences include serving as a market research assistant at Canisius College, working as an independent marketing consultant, and serving as a marketing and public relations intern for Niagara Hospice. In her role at Blackstone LaunchPad, Taylor oversees social media and communications for the office, as well as the Empowering Women Through Entrepreneurship program, the Bulls Launch and the Digital Marketing Certificate program.

Taylor’s interests include consumer psychology, fashion, branding and sustainability. Taylor plans to pursue a career in marketing management and hopes to align herself with a company that enables her to explore her interests in fashion and clothing while also giving back to her community.

Born and raised in Buffalo, N.Y., Rachel Stern is currently pursuing a JD/MBA at UB. She received her bachelor’s degree in international studies from UB in 2012, which included a semester studying abroad in Ghana, West Africa.

Prior to entering graduate school, Rachel served an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer with the College Success Center at Bennett High School. In her roles at Blackstone LaunchPad and the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, she oversees the Blackstone LaunchPad Ambassadors for Student Engagement and Recruitment (BLASERs) leadership development program and provides support as a venture coach to students with ideas for high-tech devices, nonprofits and capstone projects.

Rachel’s interests include social entrepreneurship, business consulting and economic development in the Buffalo Niagara Region. Rachel enjoys exploring Buffalo, trying new restaurants and rooting for Buffalo sports teams.