Eileen Alberding is a connector who brings together founders, investors, industry leaders, and community stakeholders to create meaningful partnerships. Currently, as Program Manager with Plug and Play Indiana, Eileen supports Medtech startups in navigating commercialization, building investor and corporate relationships, and refining go-to-market strategies. Previously, she served on the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership's business development team, driving economic development and innovation. Eileen is passionate about strengthening Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and making the state a hub for emerging technology.

Dr. Beier is Partner and Chief Medical Officer at Boomerang Ventures, an Indianapolis-based venture capital firm and startup studio focused on connected health. Previously, he served as startup CEO for two physician revenue cycle management companies and three physician practices. He was also CEO of Matrix-Bio, a cancer diagnostics startup leveraging Purdue technology for early cancer detection. An active angel investor, Dr. Beier serves as Fort Wayne Chapter President for VisionTech Angels. His early career included roles as Product Line Manager for Cardiovascular Diagnostics at Boehringer Mannheim Corporation (now Roche Diagnostics) and as an emergency physician in Northeast Indiana. Dr. Beier earned his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine and an MBA from the University of Michigan.

Rosalina Perez is Director and Entrepreneurship Coach at the NIIC Women’s Business Center, dedicated to inclusive growth and supporting diverse entrepreneurs. With extensive expertise in economic development, business coaching, and capital access, Rosalina assists entrepreneurs—including the Spanish-speaking community—in building successful businesses. Previously, she supported an immigration law attorney in launching and growing his Fort Wayne firm and worked with Allen County and the City of Fort Wayne. Rosalina has judged multiple high school and college-level pitch competitions and won first place in the PFW Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Design pitch competition for a startup engineering business. Additionally, she is a real estate agent with her husband, serves on the Urban League board, and participates in the Gateways for Growth committee.

Jeff Roberts is a lifelong educator, community leader, and advocate for youth empowerment. With over two decades of experience in education, Jeff has served as both a middle and high school teacher within Fort Wayne Community Schools. He currently serves as the Community Coach at Amp Lab @ Electric Works and is the Founder and Program Director of Pave the Path Youth Leadership, a nonprofit focused on helping young adults discover their voice, define their personal brand, and lead with purpose. Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in Middle and High School Social Studies from Indiana–Purdue Fort Wayne and a master’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. He was named FWCS Teacher of the Year and a Semi-Finalist for Indiana State Teacher of the Year in 2016, earned the Champions of Change Award from Greater Fort Wayne Inc. in 2023, and graduated from Leadership Fort Wayne in 2024. Rooted in a family of educators, Jeff finds his greatest joy in spending time with his wife Jen and their three children, Chase, Cole, and Reece.

Toni Irby is the owner and master stylist at Upgrade Hair Salon, with over 20 years of experience empowering clients through beauty. Beyond hairstyling, Toni is a mentor, entrepreneur, activist, and international speaker, dedicated to inspiring confidence and resilience in youth. She founded EYE-Conic YOU! Academy, a holistic mentoring program for teenage girls, and partners with the Fort Wayne Boys and Girls Club. Toni also coaches students at Amp Lab and volunteers at the Euell Wilson Center, supporting personal development for middle school girls. Her commitment extends to community leadership roles, including involvement with the Debutante Cotillion and Ladies with Purpose. In 2024, Toni was featured on the reality TV show Hair Slayers, and in 2025, received the Unsung Hero Award from the Indiana Black Expo Fort Wayne Chapter. Toni holds a BA in Communication from Indiana University, Bloomington, and is a board-certified Cosmetologist, Non-Surgical Hair Replacement Specialist, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Mark Michal served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Fort Wayne Metals Research Products Corp., a leading medical precision wire manufacturer, until his retirement in September 2019. Joining Fort Wayne Metals as its seventh employee in 1974, Mark became President and COO in 1996, guiding the company from a single facility of 30 employees to 11 global locations employing over 1,300 staff. With extensive experience in operations and technical product development, Mark holds multiple patents and proprietary processes. He has collaborated closely with customers, universities, government labs, and agencies on numerous innovative projects. Mark’s expertise includes strategic planning, marketing, engineering, and material science. He earned his BSIET degree from Purdue University and actively contributes to various professional organizations. Mark lives in Fort Wayne with his wife, Ramona, enjoys distance running and cycling, and remains dedicated to education and regional economic development.

Andrew DeGood is an experienced entrepreneur and executive specializing in finance, technology, and artificial intelligence. Currently, he serves as Co-Founder and CEO of Ask Bob AI, an innovative startup building custom LLMs to enhance productivity and compliance across organizations. Previously, he co-founded Canopy Financial Technology Partners, successfully leading the company through acquisition in 2022. Andrew has held diverse leadership roles spanning operations, product development, client service management, and business development across startups, midsize companies, and Fortune 500 organizations. Passionate about team culture and mental health in the workplace, Andrew is also Co-Founder and CEO of IronTribe, a community dedicated to fostering connection and personal growth among men.