Just a few days after getting back from IEDC's Annual Conference in Dallas this past September, Pava's life was tragically cut short. At just 26 years old, Pava was a rising star in ecosystem building and economic development. She transformed EcoMap from a dorm room idea into a venture-backed company with over 30 employees, proudly based in Baltimore, Maryland. Pava's dedication and impact earned her a spot on Forbes' prestigious 30 Under 30 in the Social Impact space. However, it was never about personal recognition for Pava; her true motivation was EcoMap's mission of making information and opportunities more accessible in any ecosystem.
Pava's passion for place-based initiatives and supporting traditionally under-resourced entrepreneurial ecosystems inspired her team to develop a program in her honor - PLACE Builders (Pava LaPere Award for Cultivating Ecosystems).
In partnership with Forward Cities, EcoMap's PLACE Builders initiative is a 4-month fellowship program that will empower eight ecosystem builders nationwide. These fellows will receive invaluable mentorship, a comprehensive digital toolkit, connections to supportive communities, funding, and a platform to share the stories of the places they hold dear with a wider audience. The fellowship will culminate in each builder identifying, developing, and launching a pilot project to address gaps in their ecosystem or scale up successful initiatives in their communities.
If you share a passion for supporting Pava's extraordinary legacy, please consider making a donation to the PLACE Builders Fund. Your contribution will help EcoMap achieve its goal and continue Pava's mission of creating a more inclusive and accessible world for all.