Darren Sussman

Darren is the President and Founder of the Institute of Financial Wellness, committed to serving the mission of the IFW.   

In 1999, he conceived and co-founded TheaterMania.  While working with several theater productions to market and sell tickets online, he identified the need for a consumer destination site for theater and live arts information and tickets.  Today, TheaterMania's network serves over 20 million audience members.    

As Co-Founder & President of TheaterMania from 1999-2017, he helped streamline the connection between audiences and theaters nationwide and provided the theater and arts community with tools and services to both serve their mission and grow their organizations. In 2005, in response to clients’ requests for affordable ticketing software, TheaterMania created OvationTix, a fully integrated, cloud-based ticketing, CRM, and fundraising solution.  In 2013, TheaterMania acquired the London-based media and ticketing company WhatsOnStage.  

In July 2017, TheaterMania.com, Inc. was acquired by AudienceView. The combined company proudly serves over 2,000 arts organizations in the US, Canada, and the UK. Before launching TheaterMania, Darren worked in the music industry as a performer, producer, and marketing professional. 

Darren has produced numerous concerts, awards shows, festivals, and live theater.  TheaterMania produced the Drama Desk Awards for several years, celebrating Broadway and the NYC theater community. In 2014 he co-produced the opening music festival for the Sochi Winter Olympics.  During his tenure as Board Chairman for Hi-Arts they were selected as resident arts organization of the revitalized PS 109 in Harlem, and in 2016 named official Hip-Hop Curator of the renowned Kennedy Center.

 In 2017 Darren co-produced the acclaimed, groundbreaking Broadway show The Great Comet, which received two Tony Awards and the most Tony nominations of any show that year.   

In 2018, Darren and his brother recognized the need for a media company dedicated to financial education that people could trust and enjoy.   They created the Institute of Financial Wellness to serve as America's most trusted company for financial education, resources, and services.