Who We Are<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\nThe CEL has evolved since it was founded in 2005 to serve almost 6,000 students per year. This growth and institution-wide impact relies on philanthropic support and a passionate team of faculty, students, and volunteers unite in their efforts to elevate our students’ aspirations, skills, and success.<\/p>\n
Our faculty include well recognized scholars and highly accomplished practitioners (and some who are both!). Our efforts are enabled by an amazing team of highly engaged and talented student ambassadors and peer mentors that encourage students to explore their interests and aspirations. Finally, we have many generous alumni and community leaders who support our students as speakers, mentors, and tournament judges. The CEL wouldn’t exist without philanthropic support, so we are especially grateful for the many contributors who support entrepreneurial students at UCF.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n\n\nFaculty & Staff<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/project.serverizz.com\/clientele\/ucf\/cel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/cameron_ford.jpeg\")
<\/span><\/div>\n\nCameron Ford<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nFounding Director<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/project.serverizz.com\/clientele\/ucf\/cel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/cassandra_willard_esq.jpeg\")
<\/span><\/div>\n\nCassandra Willard<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nDirector<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/project.serverizz.com\/clientele\/ucf\/cel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/michael_lynch.jpeg\")
<\/span><\/div>\n\nMichael Lynch<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nProfessor<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/project.serverizz.com\/clientele\/ucf\/cel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/michael_pape.jpeg\")
<\/span><\/div>\n\nMichael Pape<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nProfessor<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
Ambassadors<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/project.serverizz.com\/clientele\/ucf\/cel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ayden.jpeg\")
<\/span><\/div>\n\nAyden Jordan<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nCOO & Co-Founder<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/project.serverizz.com\/clientele\/ucf\/cel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1651715664528.jpeg\")
<\/span><\/div>\n\nEmily Thompson<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nAdmin. Coordinator<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/project.serverizz.com\/clientele\/ucf\/cel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/grace.jpeg\")
<\/span><\/div>\n\nGrace O'Malley<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nGraphic Designer<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/project.serverizz.com\/clientele\/ucf\/cel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/jada.jpeg\")
<\/span><\/div>\n\nJada Penrow<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nMarketing Coordinator<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/project.serverizz.com\/clientele\/ucf\/cel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/leslie.jpeg\")
<\/span><\/div>\n\nLeslie Perez<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nEvents & Social Media Manager<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/project.serverizz.com\/clientele\/ucf\/cel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/maya-1.jpeg\")
<\/span><\/div>\n\nMaya Torres<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nFront Desk Associate<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/project.serverizz.com\/clientele\/ucf\/cel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/mia.jpeg\")
<\/span><\/div>\n\nMia Figueroa-Castro<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nStudent Ambassador<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/project.serverizz.com\/clientele\/ucf\/cel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1706944728104.jpeg\")
<\/span><\/div>\n\nRyan Bealey<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nWeb Engineer<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
Mentors<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/project.serverizz.com\/clientele\/ucf\/cel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/cameron_marsh.jpeg\")
<\/span><\/div>\n\nCameron Marsh<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nCo-founder<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/project.serverizz.com\/clientele\/ucf\/cel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/elizabeth_trader.jpeg\")
<\/span><\/div>\n\nElizabeth Trader<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nCEO & Co-Founder<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
![](\"https:\/\/project.serverizz.com\/clientele\/ucf\/cel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/justin_buzzi.jpeg\")
<\/span><\/div>\n\nJustin Buzzi<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nCEO & Founder<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
The CEL has evolved since it was founded in 2005 to serve almost 6,000 students per year. This growth and institution-wide impact relies on philanthropic support and a passionate team of faculty, students, and volunteers unite in their efforts to elevate our students’ aspirations, skills, and success.<\/p>\n
Our faculty include well recognized scholars and highly accomplished practitioners (and some who are both!). Our efforts are enabled by an amazing team of highly engaged and talented student ambassadors and peer mentors that encourage students to explore their interests and aspirations. Finally, we have many generous alumni and community leaders who support our students as speakers, mentors, and tournament judges. The CEL wouldn’t exist without philanthropic support, so we are especially grateful for the many contributors who support entrepreneurial students at UCF.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Faculty & Staff<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\nCameron Ford<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nFounding Director<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Cassandra Willard<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nDirector<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Michael Lynch<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nProfessor<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Michael Pape<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nProfessor<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
Ambassadors<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\nAyden Jordan<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nCOO & Co-Founder<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Emily Thompson<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nAdmin. Coordinator<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Grace O'Malley<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nGraphic Designer<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Jada Penrow<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nMarketing Coordinator<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Leslie Perez<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nEvents & Social Media Manager<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Maya Torres<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nFront Desk Associate<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Mia Figueroa-Castro<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nStudent Ambassador<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Ryan Bealey<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nWeb Engineer<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
Mentors<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\nCameron Marsh<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nCo-founder<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Elizabeth Trader<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nCEO & Co-Founder<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Justin Buzzi<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nCEO & Founder<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
<\/span><\/div>\n\nCameron Ford<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nFounding Director<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Cassandra Willard<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nDirector<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Michael Lynch<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nProfessor<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Michael Pape<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nProfessor<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
Ambassadors<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\nAyden Jordan<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nCOO & Co-Founder<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Emily Thompson<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nAdmin. Coordinator<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Grace O'Malley<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nGraphic Designer<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Jada Penrow<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nMarketing Coordinator<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Leslie Perez<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nEvents & Social Media Manager<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Maya Torres<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nFront Desk Associate<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Mia Figueroa-Castro<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nStudent Ambassador<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Ryan Bealey<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nWeb Engineer<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
Mentors<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\nCameron Marsh<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nCo-founder<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Elizabeth Trader<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nCEO & Co-Founder<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
\n- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Justin Buzzi<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\nCEO & Founder<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
Founding Director<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
- \n
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Cassandra Willard<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\n
Director<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
- \n
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Michael Lynch<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\n
Professor<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
- \n
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Michael Pape<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\n
Professor<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
- \n
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
Ambassadors<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\nAyden Jordan<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\n
COO & Co-Founder<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
- \n
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Emily Thompson<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\n
Admin. Coordinator<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
- \n
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Grace O'Malley<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\n
Graphic Designer<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
- \n
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Jada Penrow<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\n
Marketing Coordinator<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
- \n
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Leslie Perez<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\n
Events & Social Media Manager<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
- \n
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Maya Torres<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\n
Front Desk Associate<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
- \n
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Mia Figueroa-Castro<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\n
Student Ambassador<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
- \n
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Ryan Bealey<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\n
Web Engineer<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
- \n
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
Mentors<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\nCameron Marsh<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\n
Co-founder<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
- \n
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Elizabeth Trader<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\n
CEO & Co-Founder<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
- \n
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n
Justin Buzzi<\/h5><\/div><\/div>\n\n
CEO & Founder<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
- Follow<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
![](\"https:\/\/project.serverizz.com\/clientele\/ucf\/cel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/kristen_unico.jpeg\")
<\/span><\/div>\n\n![](\"https:\/\/project.serverizz.com\/clientele\/ucf\/cel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/mckenzie.jpeg\")
<\/span><\/div>\n\n