Our Executive Board
Executive Director
Isabelle Ems
Isabelle is a 3rd year student studying
Political Science with a minor in English in the Schreyer Honors College as a Paterno Fellow from Lake Wallenpaupack, PA. On campus, she is also involved in Lion Ambassadors, Lion Caucus, Alpha Omicron Pi, and serves as the President of the Liberal Arts Undergraduate Council. She joined State of State to promote important conversations that affect Penn State, and how we can come together to overcome them.
Internal Director
Grace Hatchard
Grace is a 4th year student studying Psychology with a minor in Women's Studies and Labor and Human Resources from York, PA. On campus, she is also involved in Presidential Leadership Academy and a member of Lion Ambassadors. She joined State of State her first year as a member of the Community Engagement Committee, served as the Community Engagement Director, and was the Executive Director last year
New Memebership Director
Jillian Ranko
Jillian is a 5th year student from Butler, PA and is studying Community, Environment, and Development with a minor in International Agriculture. She is passionate about agriculture and has published articles advocating for the industry. She has previously served as the Pennsylvania Alpaca Princess, Pennsylvania 4-H State Council President, and member of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Junior Committee. She is also currently a Press & Digital Media Intern for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Jillian completed the Disney College Program, where she worked in Walt Disney World as a Character Attendant for 6 months. She has been to 5 countries and is planning to travel abroad this spring and summer. Jillian loves serving Penn State as a Lion Ambassador and she is a sister at Delta Theta Sigma social-professional agricultural fraternity as well as an executive member of the Penn State Disney Club. This is her second year serving on the Executive Board
Content Director
Isaiah Johnson
Partnerships Director
Ben Pawlowski
Ben is a fourth-Year Student studying Supply Chain and Information Systems with a minor in Information Systems Management. Ben is from Pittsburgh, PA, and is involved in other organizations such as the Supply Chain Management Association, Sigma Chi Mu Tau National Honors Society and the Student Philanthropy Network. Ben joined State of State at last fall.
Community Engagement Director
Lindsey Harmon
Lindsey is a sophomore studying Criminology and Psychology from Allentown, PA. She is also involved in the Paterno Fellows program, the Schreyer Honors College, Liberal Arts Undergraduate Council, Alpha Omicron Pi, and is a THON Rules and Regulations Volunteer.
Marketing Director
Brianna Figueroa
Brianna (Bri) is a senior Marketing and Film Production major at Penn State University from River Vale, New Jersey. She is also involved in other organizations such as CHAARG, Vole, and Delta Kappa Alpha, and has been a part of State of State since the 2022-2023 school year and was a part of the Marketing Committee! She is very excited to work hard towards an impactful and successful conference in the spring!
Operations Director
Matt Buchanan
Matt Buchanan is a Forth-Year Student studying Supply Chain and Information Systems with a minor in Economics. Matt is from North Salem, NY and is involved in multiple organizations throughout campus. Along with State of State, Matt is also a part of Lion Ambassadors and Student Philanthropy Network.
Technologies Director
Sam Waters
Sam is a Forth-Year Student from Yardley, PA who is studying Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations. Sam is also involved with organizations such as Lion Ambassadors, in which he was the Technology Solutions Assistant. Sam is serving his second year as Technology Director