Description

The ASPIRE Young Professionals are thrilled to present the third annual ASPIRE Symposium on Thursday, the 1st of May 2025. The event will take place at Miller Hall from 9 AM to 1 PM. Check-in will begin at 8:45 AM.

Keynote Speaker, Dr. Ken White

Ken White, Ph.D., is the Associate Dean of MBA & Executive Programs and Communication Instructor at William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business. Before joining William & Mary in 2014, he served in similar roles at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. In his Associate Dean’s role, White oversees all aspects of William & Mary’s in-person MBA programs, intending to deliver a transformational experience to each student in the Full Time, Part Time, and Executive MBA programs. He and his faculty and staff work together to create a unique and supportive culture where MBA students thrive and grow. In addition to his MBA duties, White leads the school’s executive and corporate education programs. As a communication instructor and coach, he works with executives, leaders, professionals, and MBA students, helping them become outstanding other-centric communicators. For over 20 years, White has provided communication coaching and instruction to some of the world’s top companies and organizations, including Capital One, CSX Transportation, Deloitte, Dollar Tree, the Hilb Group, Lockheed Martin, McCormick & Company, MedStar Health, Smithfield Foods, the U.S. Army, and others.

Our Panelists

Lea Alger, MBA candidate at William & Mary

Lea is a full-time MBA candidate at William & Mary, specializing in Finance and Business Analytics, with an expected graduation in May 2026. Before business school, Lea built a seven-year career in healthcare operations, working across startup and private equity-backed environments in roles spanning hiring and onboarding, compliance auditing, M&A integration, and enterprise-wide transformation. With a foundational education in Biology and Chemistry, Lea blends analytical thinking with operational depth. Now focused on transitioning into a finance-focused role, Lea is passionate about aligning financial strategy with organizational impact—operating at the intersection of human connection and business goals to drive value across industries.

Owen Sanborn, Business Manager at Smithfield Foods

Owen is a Business Manager at Smithfield Foods, focusing on driving profitability, managing product categories, and supporting sales teams in achieving their goals. With over 14 years of experience in business development, data analysis, and relationship management, he has developed a strong ability to make data-driven decisions, optimize financial performance, and create growth strategies. Throughout his career, he has had the opportunity to manage multiple multi-million dollar product portfolios, lead successful Lean Six Sigma projects that generated extensive Return on Investment, and drive top-line growth while maintaining customer retention. He enjoys collaborating with cross-functional teams, mentoring colleagues, and using his financial forecasting, strategic planning, and negotiation expertise to drive success. His chemical engineering and data analytics background has given him a unique problem-solving mindset. He earned his MBA with a concentration in Data Analytics from the College of William and Mary, where he maintained a 4.0 GPA. He also holds a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maine and a Master's Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma from Villanova University. He is passionate about finding innovative solutions, optimizing processes, and helping teams grow. 

Adam Taliaferro, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army

Adam Taliaferro is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army serving as the Chief of the Future Warfare Division at Army Futures Command. In his role, Adam serves as the Director of the Army’s Future Study Program, an annual series of studies, wargames, and experiments designed to develop, assess, and refine the Army of 2040. As an armor officer and Army strategist, he has served overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq. He has a BS in economics from Middle Tennessee State University, an MA from the Naval War College, and an MBA from William & Mary.

Breakout Session Speakers will be announced Soon!

Registration

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

Schedule

• 08:45 AM Check-In Opens
• 09:00 AM Welcome Address and Networking
• 10:00 AM First Session
• 10:45 AM Networking Break
• 11:00 AM Second Session
• 11:45 AM Networking Break
• 12:00 PM Lunch and Panel
• 01:00 PM Symposium Ends

Keynote Sponsor:

Networking Sponsor:

Score Williamsburg

Disclaimer:  At this event, photos and videos may be recorded.  By attending this event you may be included in these photos and videos.   Your attendance at this event grants your permission to be in these photos or videos, which may be used for marketing and promotional purposes.