Pava LaPere at the IEDC 2023 Annual Conference in Dallas, TX.

Dear IEDC Family, 

On behalf of the entire organization and the economic development community, I am deeply saddened to share the loss of our dear partner and friend, Pava LaPere, Founder and CEO of EcoMap Technologies in Baltimore, Maryland. Pava was an emerging leader in economic development, a great partner and friend to so many in this profession, and her loss will be felt by the entire economic development field. The IEDC family offers our sincere condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones during this time. 

Pava was deeply involved with IEDC, participating regularly as an exhibitor and speaker, sharing her innovative ideas with everyone she met. Some of you probably saw and interacted with Pava last week at IEDC's 2023 Annual Conference in Dallas, TX, where she moderated a panel titled “Balancing Artificial Intelligence’s Potential in Economic Development."  

While remembering Pava, Claudia Bellony, Senior Manager of Programming at IEDC, said, “Pava was a dynamo and fellow Hopkins alumna. She was an incredible person, a visionary leader and someone who was on the trajectory to revolutionize the ability for us to create equitable ecosystems across the country. This profession has lost a rising star. We pray for her family, friends, colleagues and all that were impacted by her work." 

Dell Gines, Vice President of Partnerships, Advisory Services, and Thought Leadership at IEDC shared, “Pava was a phenomenal person and a tremendous leader in the entrepreneurship ecosystem building field. I had the privilege of working with her for over a year on the national Ecosystem Builder Leadership Project. Most recently, I had an engaging conversation with her at our Annual Conference about the best way forward for the ecosystem building field. Personally, I will miss her energy and presence, and the field of entrepreneurship ecosystem building has suffered a great loss with her passing.” 

Shari Nourick, IEDC Consultant for Strategic Engagement shared, “Over the past two years, EcoMap, under Pava LaPere's leadership, became a vibrant supporter of IEDC. In the true entrepreneurial spirit, her team jumped on opportunities to become more engaged and share their expertise with the economic development community. Her dynamism and contributions to the industry will be missed. We wish her team all the best at this tragic time, and hope that they will continue her important mission of fostering equitable ecosystems.”  

Pava was a passionate leader and entrepreneur, starting three ventures dedicated to helping others become entrepreneurs. She began EcoMap Technologies as an undergraduate at 22. She co-founded TCO Labs, Inc., a nonprofit organization that encourages undergraduate entrepreneurship at Johns Hopkins University. Pava graduated from Johns Hopkins University and was recognized on this year's Forbes 30 Under 30 List in the Social Impact Category, Baltimore's 40 Under 40 and Maryland's 25 Under 25 lists for innovation. Her dedication to her community and focus on sustainable, accessible ecosystems will leave a lasting impact on the technology industry and on the entire economic development profession.