Kelly Lynch Earns Prestigious Award from the American Association of University Administrators

Babson College Executive Vice President Kelly Lynch has been named the recipient of the prestigious McInness/Ryan Award for Mid-Career Higher Education Leadership by the American Association of University Administrators (AAUA). 

The national honor recognizes Lynch’s contributions to higher education leadership, strategic innovation, and principled management. 

“Kelly Lynch exemplifies the spirit of the McInness/Ryan Award,” said Babson President Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD, who nominated her for the honor. “She has consistently demonstrated professional achievement beyond the norm and a deep commitment to ethical and principled leadership. Her vision and capability have helped Babson navigate disruption, implement strategy, and prepare for the future.” 

As executive vice president, Lynch oversees College-wide strategy and operations. She currently is leading the College’s lifelong learning strategy, including the development of a world-class executive lodge and conference center and the launch of Babson On-Demand™, the College’s first online learning platform. 

Over her 14-year tenure at Babson, Lynch has held six progressively senior roles, each marked by transformative impact. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping Babson’s strategic direction, particularly through three pivotal phases: the development of the College’s strategic plan, its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the advancement of the Greatness Agenda—a bold initiative that earned the 2024 AGB John W. Nason Award for Board Leadership. 

The McInness/Ryan Award will be presented Oct. 21 during the AAUA National Conference at Montclair State University in New Jersey. The award is bestowed annually to an individual with five to 15 years of higher education administrative service who has demonstrated both professional accomplishment significantly beyond the norm and a personal commitment to ethical and principled leadership practice.