Our Team

President & CEO

Don DePerro, President and CEO of the Columbus Chamber, previously served as president and publisher of Columbus Business First where he enjoyed a newspaper career that spanned over 30 years. He has been named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Media Advocate of the Year for the state of Florida and has received six American City Eagle Awards for Excellence – the highest honor awarded to American City associates – as both an editor and publisher. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Don remains heavily involved in countless community initiatives. Don and his wife Lia have three children, including one Buckeye, and live in Dublin, Ohio.

Vice President of Government Relations

Dez has a versed background in a wide range of public policy issues, an insider’s perspective of the legislative process, and contacts throughout Ohio’s Capitol Square. Through his professional experience, he possesses a wealth of knowledge in grassroots campaigns, educating public and elected officials on policy initiatives, and navigating through all levels and branches of government.

An alumnus of the Ohio General Assembly, he previously served as Director of Government Affairs for Status Solutions—a company that specializes in situational awareness and risk management technology platforms. At Status, he advocated and lobbied in over nine states and provided Status’ business partners with strategic counsel on how to best navigate and enhance governmental relationships with public and elected officials, state agencies, and trade associations.

With his insight and familiarity with Ohio’s governmental and political systems, Dez will lead the government relations efforts for the Columbus Chamber and provide our members with practical guidance and constructive analysis related to important legislative issues and advocate on their behalf to legislators, committees, and other interested stakeholders.

An Akron native, Dez is a graduate of Kent State University and the University of Dayton. Outside of the office, he enjoys playing intramural sports, Orangetheory workouts, traveling with his wife Tiffany, and grilling out with friends and family.

Vice President of Finance & Administration

As you would expect with any CPA, Kelly is whiz on the 10-key and can calculate finances faster than anybody in the Midwest.  Know that you will never catch her cooking the books, but you might catch her cooking up a storm in the kitchen. With all her amazing math skills, she’s also figured out the perfect ratio of ingredients to make an award-winning banana pudding. Just ask anybody in the office who has challenged her during our annual bake-off that we hold each year for our United Way Fundraiser.

Kelly graduated from Wright State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance. She also holds a Master’s degree in Accounting and Financial Management from Keller Graduate School of DeVry in addition to being a CPA.

Vice President of Marketing & Communications

Born in Cincinnati and a transplant to Central Ohio, Hope has a great passion for Ohio businesses and community. As an Otterbein University graduate, Hope brings more than 20 years of strategic and creative marketing experience to her role as Vice President of Marketing & Communications at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce. As an accomplished leader, marketer, and researcher providing data-driven solutions, she has been recognized for dedicated leadership, ideation, and solution implementation. Prior to joining the Chamber, Hope was the Sr. Director of Sales Marketing and Research for Gannett | USA Today | Dispatch Media Group for nearly 10 years.

Expanding upon her commitment to the Central Ohio community, Hope also serves on the Board of Trustees for the United Way of Central Ohio.

Hope lives in Grove City with her husband, Jason, and has two daughters and four dogs (yes, FOUR!). In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, attending the theater and volunteering.

Vice President of Talent & Workforce Development

Kelly Fuller loves to help people discover and develop their gifts, and as the Chamber’s Vice President of Talent and Workforce Development, she gets to do just that. Her entire career has existed in the workforce development space, beginning at Discover Card in 1986. Now with the Chamber, Kelly works to serve the workforce and economic development needs of its membership and the greater Columbus community.

Kelly is a graduate of Miami University and Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Outside of the office, she is an avid runner, published poet and a mother to her two children. No matter where you might run into Kelly, one thing is certain; she is dedicated in supporting your business to find candidates who will make a difference for your bottom line.

Vice President of Member Services

Lorie is a Columbus native and OSU graduate – she loves all things Columbus, but especially the vibrant downtown neighborhoods and the energy of the city on OSU game days. In her role as the Vice President Member Services, Lorie supports our businesses in connecting to resources at the Chamber and leading a fantastic team of account managers who are passionate about helping our members thrive in the Columbus Region. Outside of the Chamber, you can find Lorie and her husband enjoying the chaos of life with a vivacious toddler, Oliver, and their new baby, Annie!

Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access

Sherrice Sledge-Thomas is the VP of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) at the Columbus Chamber where she’s focused on equipping Chamber members to take their DEIA practices to the next level.

Prior to joining the Chamber, she was with NiSource, one of the largest fully-regulated utility companies in the United States. Sherrice served as the Director of Change Management, leading the design and execution of innovative stakeholder engagement strategies with a keen focus on data analytics. She also led the Professional Development Committee for LEAD, the company’s African-American employee resource group. Sherrice spent 19 years at Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company, holding both leadership and individual contributor roles in Organization Effectiveness, Talent Management, and Leadership Development. She also served as the Vice President and Professional Development Chair for AWARE, the African-American women’s associate resource group.

As a first-generation college graduate, Sherrice holds a Master of Business Administration with a focus in Organizational Leadership and Management from Franklin University and a Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus in Women’s Studies from The Ohio State University. She’s also published two books, The Balance Finder and Hot Like Fire.

Sherrice resides in Groveport with her husband Frederick and twin sons, David and Joseph AKA The Wonder Twins. Her eldest son has a family of his own, making Sherrice the proud grandmother of five. Ironically, two of her grandchildren are twins. In her free time, Sherrice cooks with her family, creates herbal medicine, participates in Peloton fitness classes, and practices yoga.

Vice President of Sales

Adding a plethora of experience to our versatile leadership team, Jeff serves as the Vice President of Sales for the Columbus Chamber. From identifying new membership target candidates to assisting in the business development sales process, you can count on Jeff to offer innovative ideas and bring excitement to every task. Formerly the Director of Columbus Region Logistics Council for the Chamber, Jeff is no stranger to working diligently for our members.

Previous to joining the Chamber, Jeff held positions as an independent business development consultant and sales/sales leadership roles with Boise Cascade Office Products/OfficeMax and Moore Business Forms. Jeff is a graduate of Buffalo State College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business.

Events Producer

A Columbus native and graduate of Otterbein University, Jess Laughlin is go-to for all things related to the Columbus scene – making her the ideal events producer for our Chamber team. Jess realized her passion for nonprofit work and event planning right out of college during her tenure with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps. This fervor for helping others soon led to her time at Bike & Build – a 72-day cross-country cycling trip from Providence, Rhode Island to San Francisco, California – and a six-year stint with the Columbus Dispatch running event operations for large trade shows, banquets and corporate events.

Jess’s position as Chamber events producer isn’t her only full-time job – she also is a mom to two tiny humans and married to her college sweetheart. In her spare time, Jess enjoys traveling far and wide in search of good music, trying out the vibrant scene of local craft beer and laughing and dancing whenever life tries to get serious. She is also dedicated to helping her mother run a small non-profit in honor of her late father, which supports families who have lost a loved one to heart disease. 

With her bright demeanor and go-getter attitude, Jess is the perfect addition to the Columbus Chamber team – adding a flair to each and every event she works on.

Marketing Manager

Abby Kolczun was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and moved to Columbus after graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University. Abby has a strong passion for marketing and building relationships. Abby was the Events Intern at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and then moved on to start working for a non-profit in donor relations, development, and annual fundraising for a few years. She is a graduate of Franklin University, with her Master of Science degree in Marketing and Communication.

She loves to travel and hang out with family and friends and enjoys spending her free time with her goldendoodle puppy, Frankie.

Sponsorship & Partnership Sales Executive

Tim McKelly knows Columbus and he knows it well. As a resident of the Capital City for his entire adult life and with over 25 years of experience in Central Ohio’s sales and marketing field, Tim is the ideal resource for local businesses in the business development sector.

When he’s not helping Chamber members increase their visibility, you can find Tim traveling the globe, from New Zealand to Chile and beyond. In fact, Tim helped to organize and lead three photographic safaris to East Africa. An expert multi-tasker and facilitator of connections, you can count on Tim to use his diverse skillset to help your business thrive.

Senior Engagement Manager

Taylor has had a passion for building relationships for as long as she can remember. As a Senior Engagement Manager for the Chamber, Taylor uses that passion to connect her members with resources to benefit their businesses. Her goal is to treat every member in a way that is unique and aligns with their goals.

A New York native, Taylor ventured into Columbus to earn her psychology degree from The Ohio State University. You can find her exploring the Short North neighborhood or heading to one of her favorite hiking spots in her spare time. Her love for Columbus and its culture continues to grow each day as she meets more of the businesses that make up its charming community.

Member Relationship Manager

Mallory Roth hails from Vermilion, Ohio, “A small town on a Great Lake,” and holds a B.A. from Wittenberg University in political science. After a short stint as a nanny in Charleston, SC, Mallory made her way to Columbus.  Previously, she worked closely with development, annual fundraising and member engagement. Mallory has experience coordinating and executing annual giving campaigns and membership drives using social media, direct mail and stewardship.  She also has experience with volunteer management and the development of goals-driven strategies to increase awareness of the organization among constituents and the community.

Mallory has first-hand experience with small business, as she grew up living in a Bed & Breakfast owned by her parents. When Mallory is not in the office, she enjoys cooking, traveling and relaxing on Lake Erie. She is an avid visitor of Local Cantina on Tuesdays and never passes up a chance to enjoy breakfast at DK Diner.

Manager, Columbus Region Logistics Council

Zakee Bashir was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio and is a big fan of every sports team in the city. A graduate of Indiana State University and former college football player he loves to workout, travel, read, and listen to podcasts. In his spare time, you can find him looking for volunteer opportunities, dog parks for pup Kai, and new local restaurants to try.

Zakee’s logistic background includes experience working in shared mail distribution where he managed the supply chain for clients located across the United States. With the Chamber, Zakee strives to be the connector for all things logistics in the region while continuing to bolster the reputation of Columbus as a logistics hub. He is to here to work on your behalf alongside the Columbus Region Logistics Council to find solutions to the challenges of logistics stakeholders

Member Resource Specialist

Madeline’s roots run deep in Columbus, Ohio. Her favorite parts of the CBUS lifestyle are the local art, culture, historical neighborhoods and metro parks. With her experience as an educator and human resource professional, she developed a passion for bringing awareness to how we think, act and live. Madeline is on a mission to empower local business owners through collaboration, outreach and spreading the message. She’s motivated by a deep belief that empowering small businesses can create positive change.

Business Development Representative

A native Ohioan with a degree from The Ohio State University (Go Bucks!), Holly’s personality is radiant to say the least. When it comes to business, however, she’s zeroed in on the prize at hand – helping your business attain its goals. The professional formerly known as Columbus Business First Account Executive, Holly brings her expertise to the table every day at the Columbus Chamber as a Business Development Representative. Knowledgeable in many trades, Holly is in tune with what businesses need and wants to help you achieve your goals. When she’s off-duty, you will probably find her with her husband Jim.

A hard worker at heart with an eye for building new relationships, you better call Holly – she’s here to help you.

Business Development Representative

Holly Gallucci brings more than 15 years of experience with her to the Columbus Chamber as a business-to-business Advertising Account Executive with Columbus Monthly magazine and The Columbus Dispatch. Her familiarity and understanding of central Ohio businesses are most helpful in her role as a Business Development Representative, finding solutions for your company’s needs.

As a graduate of Worthington Kilbourne High School and The Ohio State University, Holly is a true Buckeye with her eye on making our Columbus area partners become even more successful!

When pursuing other interests, Holly is busy being a wife and mom of one daughter, plus two energetic kittens! She also enjoys volunteering at her child’s school, jogging & exercising, socializing with friends, and vacationing in Florida.

Business Development Representative

Maria Kritikos Oakes has completed what some might refer to as the 614 trifecta; she was born and raised in Columbus AND attended The Ohio State University – Go Bucks! She spent a number of years living in Las Vegas where she was married and had both of her sons before ultimately moving back to Columbus to be close to family.

Central Ohio isn’t the only community close to Maria’s heart. Greek is Maria’s first language and she has spent many summers enjoying Greece with her family. When not facilitating connections in the business community, Maria is focused on her duties as a parent to her two boys and is a leader/advocate in the special needs community as a special needs parent. You can count on Maria to identify solutions to your business’ hurdles as a Business Development Representative of the Columbus Chamber.

Business Development Representative

An entrepreneur at heart and Columbus native, Jordan Miller is the ideal connector to help your business identify its opportunities for success as a Chamber business development representative. His past experiences working in the financial service industry with elite companies like Nationwide, Fifth Third Bank and Heartland Payment Systems has helped him to establish a deep understanding and respect for business operations.

Aside from Jordan’s position at the Chamber, he loves to get lost in a good movie or try new recipes – cooking is a competing passion with business development. Jordan’s other full-time job is staying active with his family as a father of four children. Whether it be with a delectable dish or helping a local business thrive, you can count on Jordan. Your business is his business.

Accounting Clerk

Kelly Douglas is no stranger to the accounting industry. She brings 22 years of experience to the Chamber and works diligently as its Accounting Clerk to ensure finances are always in order.

When she’s not at the Chamber, Kelly enjoys spending time with her son. Their favorite activities include watching movies and playing games – their favorite activity includes watching movies. She enjoys reading, cooking and is a self-proclaimed sucker for reality TV. Kelly is new to Columbus having moved from Mansfield Ohio and she is already in love with her new home!

Manager, Office Services

We could tell you that Laura Kenyon has been with the Columbus Chamber for 17 years and does everything from accounting to operations to database management. But what you really need to know is that she’s got a fantastic sense of humor, wins our office chili cook-off every year, is always upbeat, and usually has some pretty amazing candy in her candy dish.  Laura is to the Chamber as Norm is to Cheers. Everybody knows her name and she is a much-appreciated fixture here.

Before coming to the Chamber, Laura worked for 13 years at the law firm of Schwartz, Ramirez, Kelm and Warren as Office Services Manager.

Business Support Administrator

Tracy serves as the front line connection to our members; we like to think of her as our Director of First and Last Impressions.  Her warm smile and sweet demeanor make her the perfect person for the job.  She truly cares about each and every member just like she would her own family–and as a mother of four grown boys and grandmother to 12, you know you’re in the right hands. When she’s not spending time with her family, Tracy explores the healing benefits of essential oils. Tracy enjoys lots of creative art projects and camping in her spare time.

Before the Columbus Chamber, Tracy was the Day Treatment School Secretary at Rosemont where she served in many positions during her ten year stay assisting children and families in need.