Meet the Team

Our development and operations team consists of outstanding graduate and undergraduate students from renowned institutions like NYU and Howard University. They excel in key areas such as business development, technology advancement, and marketing strategy, fueling AHED's aspirational and game-changing initiatives.

With diverse backgrounds and expertise in fields such as marketing, interior design, and information technology, our team brings a unique blend of creativity and skill to every project. Their shared commitment to AHED’s mission of growth and excellence makes them invaluable contributors to our continued success!

Desirey Virgin serves as the Director of Development for the AHED Foundation, where she leads fundraising initiatives, builds strategic relationships, and collaborates with communication, IT, and board-appointed experts to advance AHED’s mission of promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in the hospitality industry.

An accomplished hospitality professional and Atlanta native, Desirey brings over a decade of experience in luxury hotels to her role. Currently pursuing a graduate degree in global hospitality at New York University, she is an active participant in the NYU community and a passionate advocate for the tourism industry.

Desirey’s global perspective is shaped by her travels to over 10 countries, where she explores international culture, studies the impact of tourism, enjoys local cuisines, and champions the preservation of traditions. Her commitment to advancing equity and excellence in hospitality makes her an invaluable leader at AHED.

Desirey Virgin

Director of Development

NYU

Brianna Baptiste is the Marketing Director for the AHED Foundation, where she leads the organization’s strategic marketing efforts to amplify its mission of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the hospitality industry. In this role, Brianna oversees the development of marketing campaigns, designs impactful promotional materials, curates social media content, and analyzes performance metrics to drive engagement and growth.

Under the guidance of Brian Barker, MA, CHE, and PhD Candidate, Brianna played a pivotal role in the success of AHED’s highly anticipated Fall Reception. She spearheaded promotional efforts, from creating visually compelling materials to managing social media outreach, ensuring the event reached its full potential.

Brianna is passionate about leveraging innovative marketing strategies to elevate AHED’s initiatives and inspire meaningful change in the hospitality sector. Her dedication and creativity continue to drive the organization’s visibility and impact.

 Brianna Baptiste

Marketing Director

NYU Health + Hospitals

Donovan Speight is the IT Manager for the AHED Foundation, where he leads the strategic implementation and optimization of the organization’s CRM platform and spearheads efforts to enhance its website. His role is critical in driving efficient recruitment and engagement initiatives while ensuring the digital platforms effectively communicate AHED’s mission of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the hospitality industry.

A senior majoring in computer information systems with a cybersecurity concentration at Howard University School of Business, Donovan has been working with AHED since November 2023. Under the mentorship of Brian Barker, MA, CHE, and PhD Candidate, Donovan has undertaken a variety of impactful projects, including designing the organization’s website using Squarespace and CSS, developing a resource admissions tool, implementing a payment processor, establishing an email domain, and resolving complex technical challenges.

Donovan’s work reflects his dedication to leveraging technology for social impact and his drive to build expertise in the field. His forward-thinking approach continues to shape AHED’s digital strategies and support its mission to create a more inclusive hospitality industry.

 Donovan Speight

IT Manager

Howard University

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