Tuesday, April 21, 2026
11 a.m.
Darius Norwood is an entrepreneur and CEO who stepped into the leadership of a second-generation, family-owned commercial landscaping company serving the Indianapolis area for more than 30 years. Rather than building from a blank slate, Darius has focused on rebuilding, navigating legacy systems, inherited culture, and real-world constraints while modernizing operations and repositioning the business for long-term growth.With experience across corporate environments, real estate, and entrepreneurship, Darius brings a practical, ground-level perspective on business development, decision-making under pressure, and leading through uncertainty. His approach is rooted in faith, accountability, and disciplined execution, with a belief that sustainable businesses are built by honoring people, process, and purpose, not shortcuts.Kirsten Norwood is a second-generation entrepreneur and Executive Chair of a family-owned commercial landscaping company serving the Indianapolis area for more than 30 years. A Ball State University alum, she focuses on company strategy, workforce development, and community impact while navigating the realities of family business ownership. Kirsten is passionate about faith-driven leadership, breaking barriers as a Black woman in entrepreneurship, and helping the next generation build purpose-led careers.
11 a.m.
Join us for these special events with Josh Kaufman, winner of NBC's The Voice Season 6! All events will take place in Soundhouse A in the MMP Studios on the 2nd floor of the Music Instruction Building. This event is free and open to the public.
1:30 p.m.
BSU First Lady Jennifer Mearns will share stories about her upbringing, adventures while working in the sports marketing business, including traveling the world with the men’s professional tennis tour, raising five children while starting her own business, and supporting her husband’s career with the Department of Justice and higher education.