Description

The 2026 ASPIRE Symposium Presented by The William & Mary Raymond A. Mason School of Business

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.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

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.

While all of our speakers have yet to be announced, 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.

Registration

• Chamber Members: $20
• Prospective Members: $35

Schedule

•  8: 30 AM Check-In
•  9: 00 AM Welcome Address and Keynote
•  9: 30 AM First Breakout Session
• 10:15 AM Break
• 10:30 AM Second Breakout Session
• 11:15 AM Break
• 11:30 AM Professional Panel
• 12:00 PM Lunch & Networking
•  1:00 PM Symposium Ends

So don't wait to secure your seat at this incredible event.

Symposium Sponsorship

Boost your brand by supporting the ASPIRE Young Professionals 2026 Symposium by becoming a sponsor! Sponsorship is a fantastic way to invest in the community while giving your business a platform.

Keynote Sponsor