The ASPIRE Young Professionals are thrilled to present the fourth annual ASPIRE Symposium on Wednesday, the 22nd of April 2026. The event will take place at Miller Hall from 9 AM to 1 PM. Check-in will begin at 8:30 AM.
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The annual symposium is ASPIRE’s largest program of the year, bringing together young professionals from across the region to network, learn, and build meaningful connections. The event will feature a keynote address, interactive breakout sessions, and conclude with an expert panel discussion.
Planned topics include AI in the Workplace and Navigating Your Career Path. Check-in begins at 8:30 AM, where attendees can enjoy complimentary pastries and coffee provided by the Mason School. Lunch will also be provided during the day’s programming.
Keynote Speaker: Christy Coleman, Executive Director of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.
Christy S. Coleman is a tireless advocate for the power of museums and narrative correction. She’s an innovator in the museum field having held leadership roles at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the Wright Museum of African American History, and the American Civil War Museum. She now serves as the Executive Director of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.
Ms. Coleman is the recipient of numerous awards for her decades of impact, including four Honorary Doctorates. In 2018, Time Magazine named her one of the 31 People Changing the South and in 2019, Worth Magazine named her one of 29 Women Changing the World. In 2023, she received the David McCullough Prize for Excellence in American Public History.
She’s also an accomplished public speaker and has appeared in award-winning documentaries including Grant, Abraham Lincoln, Black Patriots: Civil War Heroes, When the Monuments Came Down and Kevin Costner’s The West. In her spare time, she’s a historical consultant for film and television. Most recently she’s worked on the award-winning film Harriet, Showtime’s miniseries Good Lord Bird, and the upcoming miniseries, The Gray House.
Breakout Session Speakers
Professor Arturo Castellanos, Assistant Professor of Operations and Information Systems Management
Session Topic: AI in the Workplace
Arturo Castellanos is an Assistant Professor of Operations and Information Systems Management. His research focuses on Business Analytics, FinTech, Blockchain, Systems Analysis, and Conceptual Modeling, with publications in top IS journals like MIS Quarterly and Decision Support Systems. He has taught courses in Business Analytics, Data Mining, Big Data, and Prescriptive Analytics. Dr. Castellanos holds a Ph.D. in Information Systems and Business Analytics from FIU and degrees in Telecommunications and Engineering from the University of Navarra, Spain.
Shontae Taylor, Ph.D., Director of Online Graduate Career Services
Session Topic: Navigating Your Career Path
Shontae has a diverse background in academia, government, and the private sector. She previously served as the Associate Director of Graduate Career Advising & Education and was a marketing professor at Hampton University. With a Ph.D. in Business Administration and a degree in Marketing, she is passionate about career development and empowering diverse students. Residing in Hampton Roads with her family, Shontae enjoys traveling, family times, and exploring new foods.
Panelist Speakers
Mark Amendolara, Part-Time MBA Candidate
Mark is a Part-Time MBA candidate at William & Mary with over 2,500 flight hours as a naval aviator in the U.S. Coast Guard, flying the MH-65 helicopter and CN-235 multi-engine aircraft. His career has been defined by leading diverse teams under pressure, solving complex operational challenges, and mentoring others toward their professional goals. Mark brings a deep commitment to service and continuous growth to everything he pursues, qualities he now channels into his graduate studies as he works to make a broader impact in his community.
Bianca Dorsey, Part-Time MBA Candidate
Bianca Dorsey is a Maryland native and graduate of Spelman College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics in 2013. She is currently pursuing an MBA at William & Mary, where she serves as the President of the Part-Time MBA Association. Professionally, Bianca is a PMP-certified Senior Program Analyst and Integrated Master Scheduler supporting the United States Army’s Base Emergency Communications Systems (BECS) program. She resides in Williamsburg, VA, with her husband, Aaron, and their son, Adonis. In her free time, she enjoys reading, interior design, exploring new restaurants, wine tastings, and road trips.
Tracy Frey, Full-Time MBA Candidate
Tracey is a Full-Time MBA candidate at William & Mary, focusing on business analytics and strategic leadership. With a background in telecommunications, network engineering, and information systems, she previously served as Executive Director of the Williamsburg Farmers Market, where she led operations and initiatives connecting local producers, restaurants, and the community. During her tenure, she co-founded the Virginia Farmers Market Association and Virginia Fresh Match, expanding collaboration among markets across the state and increasing families' access to fresh, local food. While pursuing her MBA, she works with the W&M Entrepreneurship Hub, supporting programs and events that connect founders, students, and the broader innovation ecosystem.
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