Lynn Brandes spent her early career in clinical practice and earned her Fellowship with the American Academy of Optometry. Once her son entered high school, she started thinking about reconnecting with NECO. When she saw an email inviting alumni to join the board in 2009, she applied and was welcomed onto the board. Since then, she has worked under multiple executive teams and served on nearly every committee, helping advance initiatives such as Graduate Strong, Brunch with ODs, reunion events, and resume review. Mentoring Grace, a third-year student pursuing an OD/MS dual degree, has been one of the highlights of serving on the board. “Grace’s passion and ideas at our recent lunch left me truly inspired,” said Dr. Brandes. “I was so impressed that an optometry student had such a commitment to research and didn’t mind working with the mice in the lab.”

Dr. Brandes’ motivation for volunteerism and engagement with colleagues is rooted in camaraderie. She values in-person events and meetings, hearing directly from Dr. Howard Purcell, and feeling part of the academic community. Having served on other boards, she appreciates what sets the NECO Alumni Board apart – a welcoming and supportive culture. New members are embraced, and the community is truly committed to each other’s success. This environment, paired with the institution’s mission, is the reason she has been committed to the board for more than fifteen years. Dr. Brandes co-chairs the Alumni Engagement Committee alongside Dr. Lauren Dickerman to bring graduates together. They want to create opportunities to reconnect, learn from one another, and help alumni discover their motivation for giving back.

This sense of connection also guides Dr. Brandes’ philanthropic priorities. She proudly supports research because she believes it is vital to the college’s future. She was recently accepted to the American Academy of Optometry and Cochrane Eyes and Vision joint program, funded by the National Eye Institute. The AAO and CEV-US teams are helping to shape the evidence-based practice of optometry. Her assigned group will focus on home monitoring technologies for glaucoma. This new opportunity has deepened her commitment to advancing NECO’s research initiatives, something she sees firsthand in students like Grace. She also gives to scholarship funds at NECO because she understands the increasing financial burden today’s students face and she wants to offer much-needed support to future optometrists.

Her story shows that meaningful contributions grow from consistent engagement and support. Dr. Brandes encourages fellow alumni to get involved through volunteering, mentorship, and giving back because every contribution supports the formative school experiences that shape impactful careers.