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 9am to 1pm. Check-in will begin at 8:45am.
Our Keynote Speaker, Ken White, Ph.D
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.
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.
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.
Thank you to our Keynote Sponsor, William and Mary Raymond A. Mason Business School, and Networking Sponsor Score Williamsburg.
