Speakers

Ginger Ambler ’88, Ph.D. ’06, P ’24 serves as senior vice president for student affairs and public safety at William & Mary, where she has dedicated more than two decades to enriching student life. A two-time alumna, Ambler holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a doctorate in educational policy, planning and leadership from W&M as well as a master’s degree in higher education from Ohio State University. Her career in student affairs includes roles at Franklin & Marshall College and Ohio State University, with extensive service at William & Mary since 1991. A respected scholar and administrator, she received the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Dissertation of the Year Award in 2007 and is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Ambler is known for her student advocacy, campus leadership and deep commitment to fostering community. She lives in James City County with her husband, Richard Ambler ’86, P ’24 and their three children.

Dorian Baroni ’81 is an executive coach, leadership advisor and founder of Women Agents of Change, a global initiative supporting women’s leadership development. Her career spans investment banking, global energy, consumer goods and art retail, with experience in the U.S., U.K., Italy, Venezuela and Belgium. Baroni specializes in fostering trust across diverse teams, guiding systemic change and integrating mindfulness into leadership practices. She collaborates with organizations including the Presencing Institute and Mannaz Consulting and has contributed to leadership programs at Yale School of Management. Baroni is also a co-facilitator for the Society of 1918’s Navigating Transitions program. She holds an MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology from William & Mary.

Cece Bell ’92 is an award-winning author and illustrator best known for her graphic memoir El Deafo, which earned a Newbery Honor and a Geisel Award in 2015. She grew up in Salem, Virginia, and studied art at William & Mary before earning a graduate degree in illustration and design from Kent State University. Her books for young readers include the Rabbit and Robot series and the Sock Monkey picture books. Bell’s work often draws on her experience growing up deaf after surviving childhood meningitis and uses humor and heart to promote representation and resilience. She lives in Virginia with her husband, author-illustrator Tom Angleberger, and their two sons.

Rose Cardarelli Ed.D. ’14 is the founder and CEO of the Education for All Coalition, a nonprofit focused on advancing global education for children and youth in crisis and conflict-affected areas. A former military officer and international humanitarian advisor, she has worked with the U.N., U.S. Department of Defense and other global organizations to promote human rights, health and education. Cardarelli earned her doctorate in education from William & Mary in 2014 and is a recognized leader in peacebuilding and global development.

Carrie Cooper Ed.D. ’24 has served as dean of university libraries at William & Mary since 2011, where she has led major facility upgrades including the addition of the Reeder Media Center and Swem Library patio. Her leadership has advanced digital collections, research support and community engagement, and she helped raise $22 million during the For the Bold campaign. Cooper brings 30 years of experience in public education, having previously served as dean of libraries at Eastern Kentucky University and as a teacher and librarian in Florida public schools. She holds degrees from Florida State University, the University of Southern Mississippi and William & Mary. On campus, she advises the Circle K International Club and Mortar Board. In the community, she is active with the Kiwanis Club of Williamsburg and Literacy for Life.

Dan Cristol is a chancellor professor of biology at William & Mary and director of the 1693 Scholars Program. A specialist in ecotoxicology, animal behavior and ornithology, he has taught at the university since 1996 and is widely recognized for mentoring undergraduate researchers. Cristol has received major grants from National Science Foundation and DuPont and was honored with Virginia’s Outstanding Faculty Award in 2007. His research on mercury in birds and food webs has had national impact, and he frequently involves students in fieldwork and lab projects. He also founded the PATHS program to support pre-med students with clinical and research experiences. Outside the classroom, Cristol advises the Bird Club, leads field trips and writes a birding column for the Virginia Gazette.

Christine Dennis is a naturopath and nutritionist with more than 20 years of experience practicing in Switzerland. She holds a Swiss Federal Diploma in traditional Western natural medicine and a diploma in naturopathy and nutrition from the Institute of Natural Medicine. In 2008, she founded Dynamic Nature, her practice near Geneva, which integrates natural and scientific methods to address health concerns such as digestive issues, chronic fatigue and hormonal imbalances. She specializes in the biological analysis of gut microbiota and offers personalized guidance in this area. Dennis is an active member of the Association of Natural Therapy Practitioners in Switzerland and hosts a popular radio program on Radio Lac. A proud member of the William & Mary community, her husband is a 1978 alumnus, and her son and daughter-in-law are also alumni.

Erin Dickerson Davis is the head coach of William & Mary women’s basketball. In this role, she led the program to its first-ever CAA title and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2025. She was named head coach in April 2022 and signed a contract extension through 2029 following the historic season. Under her leadership, the Tribe set program records, made national headlines and became the lowest seed to win a CAA championship. Davis previously held coaching roles at Wake Forest University, Georgetown University and Towson University and was a standout student-athlete at Northwestern University. A Chicago native, she holds degrees from Georgetown and Northwestern and lives in Williamsburg with her husband, Thomas, and daughter, Lyla.

Sharon Fanto M.B.A. ’15 is a seasoned executive coach, speaker and leadership strategist with more than 20 years of experience helping leaders navigate change and drive performance. She is the founder of Transitional Leadership Group LLC and holds certifications from the International Coaching Federation and Genos Emotional Intelligence. Fanto spent 21 years at Cox Communications in senior leadership roles, including group vice president of sales and previously served as senior vice president of sales at Fox Sports Net. She holds an M.B.A. from William & Mary and a bachelor’s degree from Boston University. Fanto leads dynamic sessions on emotional intelligence, resilience and growth mindset, known for their practical, interactive format. Outside of work, she is a dedicated wife, mother and active board member committed to strategic leadership and talent development.

Alexis Franzese is department chair and associate professor of sociology and anthropology at Elon University. She holds doctoral degrees in both sociology and clinical psychology from Duke University and researches self, identity and well-being, with a particular focus on authenticity. Her current work explores authenticity and identity in travel and tourism, with Disney as a key case study. Franzese has published in a range of academic journals, including Personality and Individual Differences, Sociology Compass, and Aging and Mental Health. In addition to her academic work, she maintains a small private therapy practice and offers wellness workshops through her platform AuthenticAF. She lives a full and joyful life with her four children, two dogs and one curious cat.

Leah Glenn is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Dance at William & Mary, where she teaches courses in ballet, modern dance and interdisciplinary arts. She is the founder and artistic director of Leah Glenn Dance Theatre, with performances at venues including the Kennedy Center and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Glenn specializes in choreography and Labanotation reconstructions, having staged works by Pearl Primus, Charles Weidman and Paul Taylor. Before joining W&M in 2006, she led the dance program at Hampton University. She holds an MFA from Southern Methodist University and a BA from Goucher College with additional training from Jacob’s Pillow and the Philadelphia Dance Company. Her work explores the intersection of movement, culture and social justice.

Nicole Ducat Grogan ’91 is the chief people officer at Intellectual Ventures (IV), where she leads the human resources and corporate communications teams. Since joining the company in 2010, she has implemented global HR systems, launched new compensation plans and championed culture-building initiatives, including mentoring circles and employee resource groups. Prior to IV, Grogan spent nearly a decade at Cisco Systems in senior HR roles, supporting global engineering and international operations. She serves on several boards, including Techbridge Girls, Echodyne Corp., Cintilight and the International Women’s Forum of Washington State, where she is president. Grogan is an International Coaching Federation-certified executive coach and works with women leaders across tech, nonprofits and the arts. A William & Mary alumna, she holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and was selected as a 2017-18 International Women’s Forum Leadership Fellow.

With more than two decades of experience helping people discover their sexual agency, Juliana Hauser Ph.D. ’05 leads conversations about taboo topics such as sex and sexuality, menopause, intimacy, and relationships with both expertise and approachability. She holds a Ph.D. in counseling education and maintains a thriving virtual private practice. A TEDx speaker and media personality, she appears regularly on screen, on stage and in print. Hauser is the creator of holistic sexuality courses, including “Revealed,” and is the author of “A New Position on Sex: A Guide to Greater Sexual Confidence, Pleasure and Authenticity,” set to be released on Sept. 23.

Teresa Longo is associate provost for international affairs & executive director of the Reves Center for International Studies and professor of Hispanic studies at William & Mary. Her work focuses on global learning, intercultural understanding and faculty-led international initiatives. Longo has led efforts to strengthen W&M’s global engagement and is deeply involved in public humanities and cross-cultural collaboration through research, teaching and institutional leadership.

Karen “KT” Tomlinson Newton ’77 is a leading expert in cultural property law and a founding partner of Argus Cultural Property Consultants. She served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for 27 years, including a decade as the district’s dedicated art crime prosecutor. In that role, she collaborated with the FBI Art Crime Team and other agencies to investigate major cases and recover stolen cultural heritage. Newton has helped return countless artifacts to museums and historical societies and is widely recognized for her contributions to the protection and preservation of cultural property.

Sequoia Owen ’12 is the founder of The Brilliant Lead, a Black woman-owned coaching and consulting firm that supports nonprofit professionals in building leadership skills and fostering positive work cultures. With nearly a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, she has held roles in trauma-informed care, program management, executive coaching and governance. Owen holds a master’s degree in mental health counseling and is passionate about teaching leaders to unlearn toxic habits and use their influence for good. Her firm specializes in creating inclusive, trauma-informed workplaces by assessing organizational culture and providing leadership development workshops. Through The Brilliant Lead, Owen has impacted over 2,000 workers and trained nearly 500 leaders nationwide.

Anne Marie Pace ’87 is a Virginia-based picture book author whose works include the Vampirina Ballerina series, which inspired the Emmy-winning Disney Junior show, and titles such as Groundhug Day, Pigloo and Mouse Calls. A native of Virginia, she earned a bachelor's degree in English from William & Mary and a master’s in English education from the University of Virginia before teaching middle and high school for five years. Following the birth of her children, she transitioned into writing, publishing her first books with Scholastic before debuting Vampirina Ballerina in 2012. Her picture books, known for their charm and rhythmic text, reflect her lifelong love of reading and dedication to fostering a passion for literature in young readers. Pace lives in Virginia with her four adult children, two dogs and three cats.

Kathleen Powell is the chief career officer and associate vice president for advancement at William & Mary, with over 30 years of experience in higher education career services. A nationally and internationally recognized leader, she is known for her strategic vision, innovative programming and commitment to student and organizational development. A past president of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), Kathleen is also a member of the NACE Academy of Fellows and serves on key advisory and advocacy committees. She is a frequent presenter, published author and recipient of numerous professional awards, including the prestigious NACE Kauffman Award.

Steve Prince is the director of engagement and distinguished artist in residence at the Muscarelle Museum of Art at William & Mary. A native of New Orleans, he holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Master of Fine Arts in printmaking and sculpture from Michigan State University. His artwork has been exhibited internationally, and he has earned honors including the 2020 International Engage Art Contest Grand Prize and Hampton, Virginia’s 2010 Teacher of the Year award. Prince is known for large-scale collaborative projects such as “Links” and the Communal Quilt Project, which explore shared histories and human connection. His work is rooted in the New Orleans jazz funerary tradition, blending themes of grief, resilience and spiritual renewal.

Paula Sardinas is president and CEO of FMS Global Strategies and founder of the Washington Build Back Black Alliance, a coalition advocating for Black and BIPOC communities. A veteran public policy strategist, she has shaped legislation across sectors including telecom, banking, cannabis and education. Sardinas began her political career with former President Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign and later played key roles in the Obama, Buttigieg and Biden presidential efforts. She also founded Purpose Driven Girl, a nonprofit uplifting women and girls facing structural barriers. Appointed to state commissions and task forces, she was honored with the 2023 David Giuliani Climate Leadership Award and the 2024 MLK Compass Award. Sardinas studied at Columbia College and William & Mary and is pursuing her MBA at FIU.

Michèle Kahn Spike is an American lawyer, historian and lecturer with a background in international corporate law. She taught contract drafting and secured transactions at William & Mary Law School from 2012 until her retirement in 2019, where she was appointed visiting professor of the practice of law in 2017. Spike is known for her scholarship on Matilda, Countess of Tuscany, and has published and lectured in both English and Italian. Her works also include “The Holy House: A History of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham” and a forthcoming collection of saint biographies for Saint Bede Catholic Church in Williamsburg. She served on the Episcopal Church’s Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns and is a member of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. Spike divides her time between Williamsburg, Virginia, and Florence, Italy, with her husband, art historian John T. Spike.

Amy Steindler ’80 is a certified executive and emotional intelligence coach and founder of Ovation Coaching. She specializes in helping purpose-driven leaders and teams develop mindfulness, emotional intelligence and conscious leadership skills. Her signature program, Leadership Through Your Own Lens®, combines photography and neuroscience-based coaching to foster insight and innovation. Steindler draws on 30 years of corporate experience at companies including AOL-Time Warner, AllianceBernstein and Tech Data. She holds certifications from the International Coach Federation, the Martha Beck Institute and the Search Inside Yourself program developed at Google. A William & Mary alumna, she teaches mindfulness and emotional intelligence at the university's McLeod Tyler Wellness Center and co-facilitates the Society of 1918’s Navigating Transitions program.

Ann Marie Stock serves as presidential liaison for strategic cultural partnerships at William & Mary, where she oversees the Bray School Lab, Muscarelle Museum of Art, Omohundro Institute and James Monroe’s Highland. She previously served as vice provost for academic and faculty affairs, leading initiatives such as the Studio for Teaching & Learning Innovation and a Mellon Foundation grant on “Sharing Authority.” A scholar of cultural representation and identity, Stock has authored more than 100 publications and founded Cuban Cinema Classics. Her leadership has spanned international affairs, interdisciplinary programs and diversity efforts, earning her the Plumeri Award and a Chancellor Professorship. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota and has received fellowships and grants from the Smithsonian, Fulbright Program, NEH and others.