This summer, the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) is welcoming new staff members. Meet the newest addition to the CIE team below!

Naomi Baron, Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Marketing & Events Intern:

Naomi is a Cal Poly business administration student with a concentration in information systems. Her favorite thing about working with the CIE is the opportunities she has to learn more about business and entrepreneurship. In addition to business, Naomi also has a strong interest in journalism and enjoys reporting whenever she can. In her free time, she enjoys watching “hilariously dumb comedy movies” with her friends and family while enjoying “obscene amounts of candy and junk food.”

Noa Benshabat, CIE Marketing & Events Intern:

Photo by Ruby Wallau.

Noa is a Cal Poly business administration junior with a concentration in marketing and a minor in graphic communication. Her favorite thing about the CIE is the “awesome people” she’s met and the opportunities she’s had to build her network. One of those connections is Pipsticks, a sticker company and Noa’s favorite SLOcal small business. Noa said her notebooks, laptop and water bottle are now covered in Pipsticks stickers. Some things you might not expect about Noa: She loves heavy lifting at the gym and listening to “hardcore Dubstep and bass.”

Schuyler Eley, CIE Public Relations & Digital Marketing Intern:

Photo by Ruby Wallau.

Schuyler is a Cal Poly communications studies senior with a minor in science and risk communication. Her favorite thing about working at the CIE is being around “hard working people striving to make an impact in the world.” In her free time, she spends a lot of time in nature, especially at the beach. She also enjoys reading, and her favorite book is “Normal People” by Sally Rooney.

Lynsey Fowler, SBDC Administrative & Graphic Design Coordinator:

Photo by Ruby Wallau.

Lynsey is the SBDC’s newest full-time staff member. She enjoys working around young entrepreneurs who are passionate about their work. “The way they speak about their businesses is very compelling,” she said. “I’m not rich, but many of them have me wanting to invest!” In her free time, Lynsey enjoys taking walks, swimming, hiking and reading at the beach. On gloomy days, she’ll spend time inside watching movies and TV shows, “mostly about cults.”

Sarah Hirst, CIE Graphic Design Intern:

Photo by Ruby Wallau.

Sarah is a Cal Poly graphic design junior. Her favorite thing about working at the CIE is the “supportive, uplifting community.” She described the people at the CIE as very welcoming and excited about their work. In her free time, Sarah enjoys “anything art-related.” She loves painting, sculpting and animating, as well as dancing and playing her ukulele. She also enjoys watching old, black-and-white musicals, although her favorite movies are currently “La La Land” and “Tangled.”

Sydney Harrison, CIE Marketing & Communications Coordinator:

Sydney is a recent graduate from UC San Diego. She majored in communications and minored environmental studies. Outside of work, Sydney likes to stay active. “In my free time you can find me surfing, hiking, climbing, backpacking, horseback riding or in a hot yoga class,” she said. She also enjoys reading about travel and adventure. Her favorite book is “Swell” by Liz Clark, which documents the author’s solo sailing adventures across the globe.

Mackenzie Ryseff, CIE & SBDC Marketing & Events Intern:

Mackenzie is a Cal Poly journalism senior with a concentration in public relations and a minor in entrepreneurship. Mackenzie’s favorite thing about working at the CIE is the “kind and encouraging” people who she works alongside. Mackenzie is a “BIG coffee lover,” and her favorite SLOcal small business is Skippers Brew Coffee. In her free time, Mackenzie enjoys going to the beach and making jewelry.

Libbie Stone, SBDC Videographer Intern:

Photo by Ruby Wallau.

Libbie is a Cal Poly anthropology and geography senior with minors in dance and media, arts, society and technology (MAST). Her favorite thing about working for the SBDC is working in the CIE’s downtown HotHouse, where “there’s always something new and exciting going on.” In her free time, she enjoys hiking, dancing and practicing yoga. She also enjoys reading, and her favorite book is “Atonement” by Ian McEwan.

Abby Yue, CIE Videographer Intern:

Photo by Ruby Wallau.

Abby is a graphic communication junior with a minor in MAST. Her favorite thing about working with the CIE is being surrounded by a diverse cast of passionate entrepreneurs. Abby’s favorite SLOcal business is Bread Bike. “Their ingredients are locally sourced, and they really care about building community with local farmers and their customers,” she said. Her favorite book is “Beartown” by Fredrik Backman.