Keynote Speakers
Brandon K. Aldous
Director of Internships and Employer Partnerships
SUNY System Administration
Brandon Aldous (All-dis) leads system-wide strategies to expand experiential learning opportunities and strengthen employer engagement across New York State. In this role, he builds partnerships with industry, develops high-impact internship pathways, and collaborates with campuses to support student success, workforce readiness, and equitable access to career-building experiences.
Known for his clear communication, collaborative leadership style, and energetic presence, Brandon works across SUNY’s 64 campuses to align employer needs with student talent. Guided by his early career in Student Affairs and Residence Life, he remains committed to the philosophy of putting students first—while also ensuring that the practitioners supporting them have the resources and support they need to succeed. Before joining SUNY System Administration, Brandon built a career rooted in higher education, partnership development, and student support.
Brandon holds undergraduate degrees in Agricultural Business Management from SUNY Cobleskill, a Master’s in Higher Education Administration from Stony Brook University with microcredentials in Student Advising and Counseling and Higher Education Management and Operations, and is currently pursuing an EdD at the University at Buffalo.
Emily Hessney Lynch is a digital strategist, content writer, and the founder of Serve Me the Sky Digital. She has more than 14 years experience working with higher education institutions, nonprofits, and businesses on sharing their stories through engaging digital content. In addition to her consulting work, Emily teaches communications courses at Nazareth University. Emily has a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Rochester, where she started her career working in financial aid, demystifying the application process through clear, easily digestible communications. She previously served as a board member at the Monroe County Library System and Cameron Community Ministries.
Emily is also the creator and host of It’s a Lot, a podcast where she has honest, nuanced conversations with parents, authors, therapists, content creators, journalists, and more about social media, parenthood, and other things that are a lot. When she’s not working, you’ll find her reading or chasing her toddler.
