Darren Henry

Darren Henry

Director, Dr. Cornell A. Bell Business Opportunity Program

What I do: I help develop the next generation of business and community leaders through the recruitment, development and graduation of business students at Purdue University. To support this work, I also foster partnerships with educational institutions and organizations, corporations, Purdue alumni and community representatives across the country.

Background: After graduating from Purdue with a degree in mechanical engineering, I worked as a consultant and validation engineer in the pharmaceutical industry. I returned to Purdue for graduate studies and earned my MBA from the Daniels School of Business. I became director of the Dr. Cornell A. Bell Business Opportunity Program (BOP) in 2007, and the thrill of mentoring, coaching and helping young adults become the best versions of themselves has kept me at Purdue for nearly two decades.

More about me: My work with BOP has been recognized by Diversity MBA Magazine (Top 100 Under 50 Emerging Leaders, 2017), the Center for Leadership Development (2020 Achievement in Education, Postsecondary Award), the Daniels School of Business (2022 Transformative Impact Award), iMentor Chicago (2024 Legacy of Mentorship Award) and the Indiana CPA Society (2025 Distinguished Service Award). Outside of work, I enjoy serving the Indianapolis community through 100 Black Men of Indianapolis and the Indiana CPA Society.