Industry Expert
About Me.
Welcome! I’m Sierra Pollard, a strategist, educator, and entrepreneur passionate about building bold ideas and transforming them into real-world impact. As the Director of Innovation for Blackstone LaunchPad at the University of Florida, I lead cross-disciplinary programs that empower students to think creatively, act fearlessly, and launch ideas that matter.
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My journey began as part of the inaugural class of UF’s Innovation Academy, where I earned a B.S. in Digital Marketing and a minor in Innovation. I later completed my M.P.I. in Product Innovation and recently earned my Ph.D. in Curriculum Design, with research focused on gamification in engineering and space entrepreneurship.
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Through partnerships with NASA, Space Florida, Blue Origin, and the U.S. Space Force, I’ve helped design programs that connect students and professionals to high-impact innovation opportunities. I’ve led international initiatives in Ireland and Scotland, mentored early-stage entrepreneurs, and developed immersive experiences that bring design thinking to life.
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This site is a space to share my work, collaborate on projects, and connect with others who are passionate about creativity, strategy, and innovation. Whether you're a student, entrepreneur, or industry partner—welcome. I’m glad you’re here.
Experience
Director of Blackstone LaunchPad
Director of Innovation
Professor of Space Entrepreneurship
Professor of Innovation & Design Thinking
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December 2023 - Present
As the strategic liaison between Blackstone and the University of Florida, I lead high-impact innovation initiatives that bridge academia, industry, and entrepreneurship.
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Spearheaded university-wide innovation proposals and authored technical narratives that secured funding and forged partnerships with top aerospace organizations, including NASA, Blue Origin, Collins Aerospace, and the U.S. Space Force.
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Directed global innovation immersions in Ireland and Scotland, integrating design thinking into international programming and strengthening cross-functional, cross-cultural collaboration.
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Built and scaled Blackstone LaunchPad at UF from the ground up—growing to over 3,000 engaged students in its first year and earning national recognition as the fastest-growing LaunchPad at the Blackstone Annual Conference.
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Drove strategic communications and digital engagement through high-performing content campaigns, using data analytics to amplify brand awareness and student participation.
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Led interdisciplinary teams across engineering, business, and design to co-create aerospace innovation experiences that enhance student engagement, industry readiness, and defense sector collaboration.
CEO of Winnovation Agency
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November 2019 - Present
As the Founder and CEO of Winnovation Agency, I built a boutique consultancy at the intersection of digital strategy, innovation, and brand storytelling—supporting clients in the space industry, sports entertainment, tourism, media, and beyond.
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Led high-impact campaigns and content strategies for clients across sectors, including Hallmark, HBO, STARZ, Blue Swipe, and regional tourism boards—positioning brands for growth, visibility, and cultural relevance.
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Designed and executed cross-platform marketing strategies using tools like Sprinklr, Canva, and Figma, integrating AI and analytics to drive performance, streamline operations, and enhance brand engagement.
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Created digital storytelling campaigns for brands in sports entertainment and television, helping clients connect with diverse audiences through emotionally resonant, visually striking content.
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Scaled custom strategies for public and private clients alike, from higher ed to fintech startups—blending design thinking, data, and innovation consulting to turn ideas into results.
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Managed multidisciplinary teams and cross-functional collaborations, producing award-winning content and proposals that delivered measurable impact and sustained client success.
Education
Ph.D. (c) Design & Development
Liberty University
Innovation | Gamification | Space Collaboration​
Ph.D. in Design with a focus on gamification in innovation, exploring how game-based strategies fuel creative problem-solving in engineering and cross-disciplinary teams. My work involved partnerships with NASA, Space Florida, and aerospace entrepreneurs to design immersive, real-world learning experiences that drive innovation. This journey strengthened my expertise in design thinking, systems strategy, and entrepreneurial mindset development—bridging the gap between education and industry.​
Masters in Product Innovation
Virginia Commonwealth University
Prototyping | Design Thinking | Interdisciplinary
Master’s in Product Innovation with a thesis focused on experiential engineering and design thinking. I explored how hands-on, interdisciplinary approaches can accelerate problem-solving and product development. This program sharpened my skills in prototyping, user-centered design, and agile innovation. I collaborated with engineers, business leaders, and creatives to build solutions that were both technically sound and market-ready.
B.S. Digital Marketing
Minor in Innovation
University of Florida
Strategy | Storytelling | Analytics
B.S. in Digital Marketing as part of the inaugural class of the University of Florida’s Innovation Academy, where I also minored in Innovation. My studies blended brand strategy and consumer behavior with entrepreneurship and design thinking. Being part of the first cohort shaped my mindset as a trailblazer, building early-stage ideas into market-ready concepts through collaboration, creativity, and rapid iteration.
Additional
Certifications & Trainings
AI for Digital Marketing (Davidson College), Certified Scrum Master, Certified Scrum Product Owner, Design & UX/UI (EIA), Technology Innovation (Harvard University), Adobe CSuite (Certiport)
Boards
US Space Force Association (USSFA) Women in Space Board: Marketing; StartGNV: Membership Chair; Gainesville Women’s Hockey: Faculty Advisor; Women of the Lowcountry: Founder
Awards
Most Innovative IP, European Innovation Academy; Employee of the Year, Spinnaker Resorts; Sales Excellence Award, Top Salesman Employee of the Year, Aramark