Pava LaPere was a trailblazer in student entrepreneurship at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), leaving a lasting impact on the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem well before the university dedicated a space in her honor. As an undergraduate student at JHU in 2015, LaPere challenged the traditional approach of Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures (JHTV), which was primarily focused on researchers. Her critique led to the development of FastForward U, a space that offered customized support for students and community members working on business ideas.
During an event dedicating the building as the Pava Marie LaPere Center for Entrepreneurship, Christy Wyskiel, senior advisor to the university’s president for innovation and entrepreneurship, highlighted LaPere’s visionary spirit. LaPere, the CEO and co-founder of EcoMap Technologies, was a driving force behind initiatives like TCO Labs, the Hatchery, and Emergence Baltimore, which aimed to connect and support entrepreneurs in the Baltimore community.
The dedication of the Pava Center was a tribute to LaPere’s entrepreneurial spirit and her commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration. Her parents, Frank and Caroline LaPere, were actively involved in the development of the space, contributing to the visual components and selecting quotes and banners that reflected Pava’s legacy.
The Pava Center aims to empower students, alumni, and community changemakers in their entrepreneurial journeys, while EcoMap’s PLACE Builders Fellowship seeks to expand Pava’s mission nationwide. The fellowship, launched in partnership with Forward Cities, provides capacity-building exercises and skills development for participants from different geographic regions, who will then implement projects to address ecosystem gaps in their home states.
Pava’s legacy also extends to legislative efforts in Annapolis, with bills like the Pava LaPere Legacy of Innovation Act and the Pava Marie LaPere Act seeking to support student entrepreneurs and prevent diminution credits for individuals convicted of violent crimes. The LaPere family, before returning to Arizona for a criminal trial related to Pava’s death, emphasized the importance of making positive changes and carrying on Pava’s legacy of impactful entrepreneurship at a young age.
The dedication event for the Pava Center showcased the support and enthusiasm of the community, with speakers like Christy Wyskiel and Kevin Carter highlighting the importance of continuing Pava’s work. The event was a testament to Pava’s lasting influence on the entrepreneurial landscape at Johns Hopkins University and beyond.
