Events
This free forum gives our students and members of the community an opportunity to hear regional business leaders share industry lessons and ideas they have acquired throughout their careers. It’s valuable and inspirational insight that will help you succeed! This year, attendees will learn how best to fill their toolboxes to achieve career success.
First Friday events are held in the Snyder Academic Center Multi-Flex Theater on the Indiana Tech campus, 1600 E. Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46803. First Friday events are sponsored by Indiana Tech’s Center for Executive Leadership & Entrepreneurship.
Mayor Sharon Tucker
Sharon Tucker is the 37th mayor, and first Black female mayor, of Fort Wayne, Indiana. A graduate of Indiana Tech, Tucker holds a bachelors of Science in Business Administration degree with concentrations in both Management and Human Resources.
Past roles for Mayor Tucker include the Executive Director of Vincent House, Inc., a City Councilwoman for Fort Wayne’s 6th District, and an Allen County Councilwoman for the county’s 1st District. Her extensive community engagement includes founding and launching Project Activate South East (P.A.S.E.) of Fort Wayne.
Please help us give Mayor Sharon Tucker a warm, Warrior welcome as she comes to campus to share her journey.
Eric Doden is the founding partner of Domo Development Co., Domo Ventures and Pago USA. He has over 20 years of financial, investment and management experience in a variety of industries, including automotive, sporting goods manufacturing, steel, construction products and real estate development.
The Butler, Indiana, native is the former CEO of Greater Ft. Wayne Inc. and the former president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. In 2011, Mr. Doden was a mayoral candidate for the City of Fort Wayne, and earlier this year, he ran for governor of Indiana. He calls Fort Wayne home along with his wife Maci and their five children.
Our speaker will be Darius Darling, human resources specialist with Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Darius earned both his bachelor’s degree and MBA from Indiana Tech. He has been with Brotherhood Mutual for the past five years and continues to serve his alma mater as president of its Alumni Association Board.
A talented musician and award-winning gospel artist, Darius worked with Indiana Tech President Karl Einolf to rescore the university’s school song. In 2021, he was recognized as one of Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly’s Forty under 40.
Jim Wilcox is the president and owner of Wilcox & Associates, a Sandler Training and Consulting company. He has more than 20 years of experience in sales, management/leadership and successful business startup experience. As a serial entrepreneur and a clinically trained health care professional, Jim brings a unique perspective and passion toward business—one that has propelled he and his team to successful relationships with clients and within the Sandler organization.