Her Story
About Lexi
Lexi Wilkerson is a hospitality and tourism professional and emerging leader at Purdue University, where she currently serves as President of Black Tie Dinner. Black Tie Dinner is a student-led hospitality organization that brings together more than 100 volunteers and a student executive board to produce an annual fine-dining event centered on hospitality, teamwork, and philanthropy. Since joining the organization as a service volunteer in 2024, Lexi has progressed through leadership roles including Assistant Service Director and Executive Assistant before being selected as President in April 2026. In her current role, she oversees organizational strategy, a $48,000 budget, and teams spanning marketing, decorations, culinary, service, and wine operations.
A senior at Purdue University, Wilkerson is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management with a Marketing & Sales concentration, along with minors in Communications and Political Science. Her professional development has included a management internship with Cintas, where she completed rotations across production, service, sales, and human resources, strengthening her understanding of operations, customer service, process improvement, and workforce management. She has also gained event experience through an internship with Corner House B&B and Event Barns and serves as a dance coach at Klondike Middle School, drawing on her extensive background in dance.
Wilkerson is an inducted member of Eta Sigma Delta, an international hospitality management honor society, and has earned Dean’s List and semester honors on multiple occasions. She is also involved with the Purdue HTM Society, PCMA, the Exploratory Studies Fellows Program, and several campus service and leadership organizations. She credits her success to embracing opportunities, building meaningful relationships, learning how to delegate, and remaining open to growth. Guided by teamwork, communication, accountability, and community impact, she is preparing to enter the hospitality industry as a collaborative and purpose-driven leader.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lexi
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being willing to say yes to opportunities, staying open to learning, and building strong relationships with the people around me. I have learned that leadership is not something you accomplish alone; it requires trust, communication, and a team that is willing to work together toward a shared goal. I have also learned the importance of recognizing when I should delegate rather than trying to do everything myself. Knowing when to say yes, when to say no, and when to empower others has helped me become a stronger leader.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the most influential mentors in my development was Katie Draftcorn, who taught me a great deal about management and leadership through the way she approached her work and her team. Her leadership style helped shape my own approach and showed me the lasting impact a leader can have on the people they develop. I continue to carry those lessons with me as I take on greater responsibilities and work to build a leadership style of my own.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women to say yes to opportunities and remain willing to try things outside their comfort zones. At the same time, it is important to learn when to say no and to recognize that you do not have to accomplish everything by yourself. Learn to delegate, trust your team, and allow other people to contribute their strengths. Building relationships, staying curious, and working collaboratively can create opportunities for growth and leadership.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities is creating more pathways for women to develop their voices and move into leadership positions within an industry that can still be male-dominated. Networking and visibility are especially important because they help emerging professionals demonstrate their capabilities and make their work known. I believe young professionals can help create meaningful change by building strong professional relationships, advocating for themselves, and actively seeking opportunities to lead.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Teamwork, communication, accountability, growth, and strong relationships are central to how I approach both my work and personal life. I believe successful events and organizations are never the result of one person's efforts; they require people working together with a clear sense of purpose. I also value accountability and continuous growth because every experience presents an opportunity to learn and improve. Most importantly, I want the work I do to remain connected to a meaningful mission and the values of the community I serve.
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