Baltimore — Baltimore tech CEO Bava LaPere is remembered not only for his career but also for his impact on the Charm City.
Everyone who knew her said the same thing: LaBere loved helping people. Those mourning his death say the city has lost a great champion for the community.
After city leaders are identified Jason Billingsley32, as A doubt in her death On Monday, Mayor Brandon Scott took a moment to praise her.
“Bava is a very young, talented, dedicated Baltimorean – someone I’ve had the chance to get to know over the past few years helping anyone,” said Scott.
LaPere’s resume includes numerous nonprofits where he helped entrepreneurs launch.
But his company, EcoMap Technologies, is where his philanthropic nature really shines. The company created resource maps for communities.
McKeever Conwell—who has known LaPere since she was a student at Johns Hopkins University and is part of Baltimore’s tech community—said having a company based on helping people shows LaPere’s character.
“She is,” he said.
Conwell, who is a managing partner at technology company Rarebreed Ventures, said LaPere made it a priority to make sure everyone had a seat at the table.
LaBarre’s work has garnered statewide and national attention, including being named to the 30 Under 30 list and the Baltimore 40 Under 40 list.
Conwell said with her departure, the city lost its heartbeat.
“She’s going to make EcoMap as successful as possible, and then she’s going to help a lot of people along the way,” he said. “When it was over, I don’t know what her next thing would have been, but it would have been bigger. It would have helped more people.”
EcoMap released a statement describing LaPere as a “deeply compassionate and dedicated leader.” “His legacy will live on through the work we continue to do,” the company said.
Wendy Polker, founding director of the Simon Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Loyola University Maryland, said LaPere served on a newly established advisory board for the center.
“He always led with values first and was deeply committed to the promise of technology and entrepreneurship for Baltimore and everyone,” Polker said in a statement.
Absurge Baltimore, a local tech company, described LaBarre as a visionary and the community has lost a shining star.
The community remembers LaPere’s impact
EcoMap released a statement mourning LaPere’s loss.
“The circumstances surrounding Bava’s death are deeply saddening, and our deepest condolences go out to her family, friends and loved ones at this incredibly devastating time. Bava was not only the visionary force behind EcoMap, but also a deeply compassionate and dedicated leader. To our organization, to Baltimore, to ecosystems across the country. Her legacy of advancing important work, creating a culture of deep inclusion as a leader, friend and partner, and setting a standard for leadership will continue. We will continue to do so.”
-EcoMap Technologies
According to LaPere LinkedInHe graduated from Johns Hopkins University and landed this year Forbes 30 Under 30 list In the social impact category.
WJZ obtained this statement from Johns Hopkins University:
“The Johns Hopkins community is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Bava LaBere, a 2019 graduate who made Baltimore home and invested her talents in our city. Bava was well-known and loved in the Baltimore entrepreneurial community and will be deeply missed. I am with her family in this time of grief.”
– Johns Hopkins University
Another Baltimore tech company, Absurge Baltimore, also issued a statement.
“The entire team at UpSurge Baltimore is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic and untimely death of Pava LaPere, Founder and CEO of EcoMap. Pava was a friend and inspiration to many of us. We offer our deepest, heartfelt condolences. Pava’s family, friends and the entire EcoMap team. . We stand in solidarity with them for the loss of a true visionary. The Baltimore tech community has lost a shining star, and it is difficult to put into words the depth of the community’s grief. In Pava’s death.”
-Absurge Baltimore
Loyola University Maryland also released a statement Tuesday. LaPere served on an advisory board there.
“The Loyola University Maryland community is deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Ecomap CEO, Pava LaPere. Ms. LaPere served on the newly established advisory board for the Simon Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. She was an outstanding CEO and innovator. An inspiration and friend to many. She always put values first. led, and was deeply committed to the promise of technology and entrepreneurship for Baltimore and all. Loyola University joins the communities built around Maryland, Ecomap, and the city. I am saddened by the loss of a true star. She and her family are in our prayers.”
-Wendy Polker, Founding Director of the Simon Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Loyola University Maryland
WJZ confirmed Tuesday that LaPere co-founded and led the charge Environmental mapA company that claims to digitize ecosystems with its proprietary technology.
McGeever Conwell, managing partner of Rarebreed Ventures and an active member of the local tech community, has known Lauper since she was a student.
He had a vote for her from the start.
“She epitomizes what it means to be a dreamer. What it is to be an entrepreneur. She’s the type of woman I want to be a mentor to my daughter,” Conwell said.
EcoMap works to create resource maps for communities.
Conwell summed up LaBarre best: He wanted to help people.
In addition to his work at EcoMap, he also worked extensively to help other entrepreneurs get started — making sure everyone had a seat at the table.
“You have this young white woman as CEO and a young black man as COO, and you don’t see that every day,” Conwell said. “His team is very diverse.”
But overall, LaBeer’s death is a great loss for all of Baltimore, Conwell said. He said he was one of its biggest cheerleaders.
“All these tech companies, when they start getting money … they want to go elsewhere. She was here, she believed in it, and we lost it,” he said.
EcoMap is holding a vigil in LaPere’s honor Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The ceremony will take place on the South Steps of the Washington Monument in Mount Vernon.
Trial for Laper’s murder
Investigators said a missing persons call was made shortly before they were found.
“It’s just horrible,” the building’s tenant, Chris McNeese, told WJZ on Monday. “I mean, it’s a bad thing for that to happen anywhere in the city, but it’s hard to imagine why it would happen in this building.”
An arrest warrant has been issued In the murder of Lapere. Police said the suspect in the case is Jason Dean Billingsley, 32, of Baltimore, who is considered armed and dangerous.
If you have information that could help detectives in this case, contact the department at 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.
Related: Police: Arrest warrant issued for Baltimore Tech CEO Bava LaBarre’s murder
WATCH: Police announce arrest warrant in Baltimore Tech CEO Bava LaPere’s murder
“Total coffee junkie. Tv ninja. Unapologetic problem solver. Beer expert.”