Staff & Board | The Leadership Alliance

Taiese Bingham-Hickman, M.S., MBA, Ph.D.

Executive Director, The Leadership Alliance

Dr. Bingham-Hickman currently serves as The Executive Director of The Leadership Alliance, a consortium of 41 academic and industry partners that provide research, mentoring, and networking experiences to undergraduate students, graduate students and research professionals. Dr. Bingham-Hickman is an alumna of the Leadership Alliance Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP). After participating in the SR-EIP at Harvard Medical School, she earned both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from New York University School of Medicine and completed her M.B.A at Northeastern University. Dr. Bingham-Hickman received a B.S. from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Prior to joining The Leadership Alliance, Dr. Bingham-Hickman previously served as the Assistant Director of Biomedical Informatics Research and Operations at Brown University where she supported the operational functions of the Brown Center for Biomedical Informatics (BCBI) and the NIGMS-funded Advance-CTR Biomedical Informatics Core. Before joining Brown University, Dr. Bingham-Hickman worked in the private industry at Beacon Health Options as the Vice President of Data Analytics where she oversaw Beacon’s Analytics Innovation Center where she provided thought leadership and analytic capabilities to ensure optimal behavioral health solutions for regional and specialty health plans; employers and labor organizations; and federal, state and local governments.

Dr. Bingham-Hickman is a member of the Industry Council for the Masters in Data Analytics Program at Merrimack College which brings together experts in data science and business analytics to provide strategic guidance and support for the program.

Dr. Bingham-Hickman is also the founder and CEO of New England Equity Collective, a non profit dedicated to promoting opportunity in equity and access to homeownership and affordable housing to underserved communities. Dr. Bingham-Hickman holds a unique and multifaceted role, pivotal in shaping the organization’s direction, ethos, and strategies in alignment with its mission to promote equity and access to homeownership.

As a parent of a child with special needs Dr. Bingham-Hickman also serves as an advocate for students with disabilities in her local community and serves on the board of Autism Care Partners.

Gina F. Astorini, M.S., Ed.D.

Associate Director

Dr. Astorini currently serves as the Associate Director. Dr. Astorini was the Associate Dean for undergraduate academics at the University of Miami and joined The Leadership Alliance Executive Office in September 2021.

Her personal and professional identity is dedicated to advancing values of diversity, equity, and inclusion through culturally responsive and strategic initiatives. Dr. Astorini earned a Doctoral degree in Higher Education Leadership and holds a Master’s of Science degree in Student Life and Development as well as a post-master’s certificate in Enrollment Management.

Jane Indorf, Ph.D.

Manager of Undergraduate and Graduate Student Programs

Dr. Jane Indorf is the Manager of Undergraduate and Graduate Programs for The Leadership Alliance. Since graduate school, she has worked with many programs aimed at supporting underrepresented students in their pursuit of advanced degrees through research opportunities and professional development. She has led professional development and teaching workshops for K-12 teachers, undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. She also has worked with K-12 students through STEM outreach. Previously she worked at the University of Miami where she was a faculty member in the biology department and assistant director of the Office of Undergraduate Research and Community Outreach. She has conducted research in evolutionary biology and STEM education for many years. She earned a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology at the University of Miami, where she also completed a Howard Hughes Medical Institute postdoctoral fellowship in science education.

Maria Sánchez-DoVale

Communications and Events Specialist

Maria DoVale is the Communications & Events Specialist for the Leadership Alliance. It is Ms. DoVale’s primary responsibility to plan, organize, coordinate and develop sessions that promote networking, mentoring and professional development for undergraduate students, graduate students, and our doctoral scholars. As the Ex-Officio of the Leadership Alliance Symposium Planning Committee, she works alongside colleagues from various member institutions who provide suggestions on different aspects of program planning for the Symposium. She is also responsible for maintaining the national website and keeping the public aware of all programming and events through social media. Ms. DoVale comes to us with a wealth of experience in administration, event planning and management augmented with exemplary technical, organizational and customer service skills. Prior to her appointment with the Leadership Alliance, Ms. DoVale worked for the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau helping to promote the state of Rhode Island as well as the city of Providence as a convention destination. Prior to this appointment, she worked for American Express corporate travel. Ms. DoVale holds a B.A. in Travel & Tourism Management from Johnson & Wales University.

External Advisory Board

The Mission of the External Advisory Board is to advise, promote and actively support The Leadership Alliance in realizing its vision of developing underrepresented students into outstanding leaders and role models in academia, business, and the public sector.

Carlos Ramos Bellido, PhD

Vice President of Academic Affairs, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras

Peter J. Bruns, PhD

Former Vice President for Grants and Special Programs, Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Liza Cariaga-Lo, PhD

CEO, President and Founder at The LCLO Group - A Higher Education and Workforce Development Consulting Firm

George C. Hill, PhD

Chief Diversity Officer and Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Vanderbilt University

Caryl McFarlane, PhD

Executive Consultant, University Alliance

John Wilson, PhD

Former Professor of Biology, Dillard University