Keynote and Fireside Chat with Emily Onkey

Join us at the November TIA Incubator for a keynote and fireside chat with Emily Onkey.

Onkey is a branding and marketing executive turned beverage entrepreneur who built her career by leveraging consumer insights and data-driven brand strategies. After earning her MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business, she gained foundational marketing experience in luxury retail at Estée Lauder and home decor at CB2. Onkey then transitioned into the fast-paced direct-to-consumer (DTC) fashion sector, holding senior marketing leadership roles at companies such as Bonobos and Soludos. Her work at Bonobos proved especially foundational, where she developed expertise in performance marketing, growth architecture, and maintaining tight customer feedback loops.

Driven by shifting consumer attitudes toward alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic and a desire for functional drink alternatives, Onkey made her key entrepreneurial leap into the non-alcoholic space. In 2020, alongside her former Bonobos colleague David Fudge, she co-founded Aplós, a functional, non-alcoholic spirit designed to offer the sensory and ritualistic relaxation of a traditional cocktail without the negative effects. As chief marketing officer, Onkey helped position Aplós as a premium leader in the plant-based beverage category. Collaborating with master mixologists to craft sophisticated flavor profiles utilizing functional ingredients, she played a central role in taking the brand to market online and expanding its reach across premium retail and hospitality accounts.

As an entrepreneur, Onkey focuses on category creation, community building, and reshaping modern drinking culture. Recognizing that consumers seek thoughtful alternatives and intentional rituals rather than mere “mocktails,” she has guided Aplós’ brand messaging to bridge lifestyle, wellness, and culinary craft. Beyond product innovation, her leadership at Aplós reflects an emphasis on data-driven customer acquisition, creative narrative-building, and support for the broader shift toward mindful consumption. Onkey continues to speak and write about the evolving functional beverage landscape, navigating changing retail dynamics, and scaling modern DTC consumer brands.

Attendees are invited to join us for a catered lunch at 1 p.m.