Cathy Pucher

Executive Director of Entrepreneurship Initiatives

[email protected]

Cathy works with aspiring entrepreneurs at SDSU's Zahn Innovation Platform Launchpad. She brings 20+ years of experience in the high-tech industry across large and startup companies to her work at the Executive Director of the ZIP Launchpad. She helped create EvoNexus, an incubator dedicated to stimulating the growth of new high technology companies in San Diego, and served as their first Executive Director. Mrs. Pucher earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering at University California, San Diego.

Erica Charlonis graduated from Chapman University in 2016 where she majored in business with a double emphasis in management (entrepreneurship) and marketing. Since then, she spent time working at the ZIP Launchpad, moving from managing the marketing, to running their entrepreneurship programming. She also worked at two startups, Pandr Design Co. and ShredLights, operationalizing systems and managing manufacturing. She now works full-time at the ZIP Launchpad, advising students on their businesses and managing the program.

Cameron manages the H.G. Fenton Idea Lab implementing rapid prototyping and design thinking methodologies into the ZIP Launchpad programs. After graduating from USC with a mechanical engineering degree, he worked in a product design agency, consulting with a variety of companies, from startups to publicly traded companies, on their new product ideas. After getting his MBA at the University of Virginia, he started his own agency, launched 10 DTC consumer products, and worked in the tech startup space.

Alli Howard oversees the ZIP Launchpad's community outreach and development initiatives. After graduating from Baylor University with a Marketing and Management degree, Alli spent ten years in nonprofit fundraising for several organizations, including Compassion International, AmeriCorps VISTA, and United Way. After receiving a Master of Nonprofit Administration from the University of Notre Dame, Alli relocated to San Diego and is excited to support the next generation of entrepreneurs through her work with the ZIP Launchpad.

Jordyn Savard graduated from SDSU in 2024 as a double major in Business Management Entrepreneurship and Interior Architecture. Throughout her undergraduate career, she had a variety of work experience largely focused on events, outreach, communications, marketing, and strategy for startup companies. This included her internship with the ZIP Launchpad. Now, as the full time Events and Outreach Specialist, Jordyn focuses on planning ZIP Launchpad events for students and managing campus relationships.

Malia graduated from SDSU in 2021 with a degree in Marketing and joined the ZIP Launchpad as a freshman in 2017, where she worked on a rotating planter project designed to evenly distribute sunlight. During college, she gained experience in graphic design, social media, sales at the ARC Gym, and marketing. After graduating, she worked at a marketing agency with Capital One on Google Ads campaigns, leading copywriting, performance tracking, and budget management. Malia now leads the marketing strategy and team at the ZIP Launchpad, helping aspiring entrepreneurs connect with the right resources for success.