Alumni Leadership Speaker Series

5:30pm-6:30pm

Zoom link: https://gmu.zoom.us/j/96676185237

RSVP via Mason360: https://cglink.me/2d7/r2277566

5:30pm-6:30pm

Zoom link: https://gmu.zoom.us/j/96676185237

RSVP via Mason360: https://cglink.me/2d7/r2277567

Hugo Delgado has spent the last 22 years providing HIV prevention and care services in Northern Virginia. Mr. Delgado brings his extensive knowledge and experience in working with the community and developed an evidence-based outreach program based on the community peer health educator model which aims at reaching the often difficult to reach at-risk population with effective prevention approaches and at locations and times which will maximize the program’s reach. He is responsible for contract and grants development, and fundraising efforts, resulting in the agency’s current annual budget of over million. Mr. Delgado is a respected member of the Latino community in Northern Virginia and has a rapport with many leaders and members of many organizations. Mr. Delgado’s extensive experience and position in the Latino community makes him a prominent provider of HIV prevention and care services among the Latino communities. Most notably, Mr. Delgado reached a 2 percent HIV positivity rate as a result of his innovative community testing and outreach program. Additionally, Mr. Delgado represents the organization at legislative hearings and other appropriate policy forums; confers with local state, and federal officials on community public health issues; meets with advisory boards, committees, the public and the media on community health matters. In Addition, Mr. Delgado received a certificate of recognition for his active involvement in the fight against HIV/AIDS from City of Alexandra Virginia.

Ashley Dinah Koranteng is a leader, community builder, and advocate for women’s sports with a deep-rooted passion for servant leadership. She is the Owner and General Manager of Virginia Vitesse, a WABA semi-professional women’s basketball team based in Loudoun County, dedicated to providing opportunities for women to excel both on and off the court. Currently, Ashley serves as a Human Performance and Equity Fellow with the San Antonio Spurs, where she has learned how to advance equity and performance strategies within sports. She is also a Health Engagement Senior Analyst for Cigna. With a strong foundation in leadership and youth development, Ashley previously served as Head Coach of Team Voltage Basketball, where she led young athletes in a competitive travel basketball environment, fostering discipline, teamwork, and growth. From 2021 to 2024, she was the Division Coordinator and Youth Girls Basketball Head Coach for SRRBBL, mentoring and developing young players while shaping the future of the game at the grassroots level.

Beyond basketball, Ashley is a dedicated community leader and mentor. During her time in college, she founded Rise and Thrive Inc. – a girls mentorship program, that was recognized with a VA House Resolution for its impact. She has also mentored and tutored students throughout Loudoun County, guiding them from elementary school through high school, with many now thriving in college. Ashley’s leadership journey began early. A 2015 graduate of Loudoun County Public Schools, she served as a student school board representative, a member of the Loudoun Youth Advisory Council (YAC), and a Leadership Loudoun Youth graduate. Her dedication to mentorship was recognized when she and Romy Stilwell won the Step Up Youth Loudoun award for their impactful mentorship program, receiving recognition from Rep. Jennifer Wexton. Academically, Ashley earned a BS in Community Health from the Honors College at George Mason University in 2019 before completing her Master of Public Health in Community Health Promotion in 2021 through an accelerated program. Her work continues to reflect her commitment to leadership, community empowerment, and the advancement of women’s sports, ensuring that the next generation and those around her have access to the resources, guidance, and opportunities they need to succeed.

Taylor Sprague (they/them) is a social impact strategist and operations leader dedicated to driving organizational effectiveness and systems-level change. As Director of Operations at Jobs for the Future (JFF), they lead organizational change management, oversee enterprise-wide goals, and cultivate a culture of data-driven decision-making to enable JFF’s ability to drive transformation of the education and workforce systems. With expertise in strategic planning, partnership development, and operational leadership, Taylor has played a key role in securing multimillion-dollar partnerships and implementing initiatives that scale impact. They graduated from George Mason University in 2016 with a Bachelor’s in Government & International Politics and a minor in Leadership Studies. Additionally, they hold a Master’s in Higher Education Administration from North Carolina State University and a Certificate in Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania. Taylor also serves on the board of TransCanWork, supporting employment access for gender-diverse individuals. 

Jessica Smith graduated from George Mason University in 2014 with a BA in Communication and Philosophy, magna cum laude. She is a writer, mental health advocate and social entrepreneur based in Baltimore, MD. Jessica is the Founder and Executive Director of The Mental Health Emergency Fund, Inc., a nonprofit organization that reduces financial barriers for community members struggling with their mental health who cannot afford treatment. Since inception she’s screened over 200 applicants for anxiety and depression and has given nearly $40,000 to the community in financial resources. She’s been recently certified as a Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor, where she can train adults nationwide how to identify signs and symptoms of mental challenges in the lives of the youth they work with.