Malinda Behrens is the Director of External Partnerships for the School of Communication and the Arts at Marist University. She leads the school's strategic industry engagement efforts, developing partnerships that connect students with internships, experiential learning opportunities, career pathways, and industry leaders across fashion, communications, media, music, design, and the creative arts. Working collaboratively with faculty, university leadership, alumni, and corporate partners, she advances initiatives that strengthen career readiness while aligning academic programs with the evolving needs of today's workforce. 

Before joining Marist, Malinda spent more than three decades in executive leadership roles within the global fashion industry. Throughout her career, she partnered with organizations ranging from entrepreneurial startups to internationally recognized brands, leading business transformation, developing strategic partnerships, and building high-performing cross-functional teams. Her experience spans business development, merchandising, product strategy, operations, sourcing, and organizational leadership, providing a unique perspective on preparing students to succeed in today's dynamic creative economy.

Since joining Marist in 2024, Malinda has worked to expand the University's network of industry partnerships while creating meaningful opportunities that bridge classroom learning with professional practice. She also teaches the Fashion Employment Seminar, where she helps students develop the career readiness skills, professional confidence, and industry perspective needed to successfully transition from college to career. Passionate about lifelong learning and mentorship, she is committed to fostering collaborations that create lasting value for students, industry partners, alumni, and the University community.