Our Team

Brendon is our President & CEO, and formerly held the positions of COO, EVP, and Chief Strategy Officer. Brendon leads teams that have overhauled public policy, government relations, talent, and marketing efforts. He developed our transportation initiatives strategy, resulting in a successful $2 million ballot initiative and coalition supporting increased transportation funding. He managed the fundraising and Cincinnati Chamber production team for BLINK, a $5 million art and light event that was the largest public event in Cincinnati’s history. He is an accomplished and sought-after speaker, strategist, and ambassador for the organization and the region.

For 10 years, Brendon led Government Affairs for The Kroger Co., where he advised executives and the company’s board on vital policy and political issues. He launched an effort to legalize wine in grocery stores, resulting in millions of new sales in several states. His influence and leadership were evident in Kroger’s successful policy efforts: pension reform, food safety, and corporate social responsibility. From 2000-2005, Brendon was the Legislative Director and Press Secretary for Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken.

Brendon is a board member of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA) and is the President of the Board of the Mercantile Library. He currently serves on the boards of ArtsWave, Visit Cincy, Cincinnati Compass, Xavier University’s Williams College of Business, and is an elected member of Clifton Town Meeting.

He has worked with dozens of organizations in advisory and volunteer roles, including the United Way, Cincinnati Regional Business Committee, Crown Cincinnati, and Tender Mercies. He graduated from Xavier University with a degree in Organizational Communication and is a graduate of Leadership Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Chamber’s Building Cultural Competence program. He is an avid reader, runner, cyclist, and live-music aficionado. He is married and has two daughters.

Kate is our SVP & Chief Business Officer. Kate oversees and provides strategic leadership to the membership sales and engagement department, finance department, marketing and communications department, and fundraising and sponsorship teams. Kate works closely with Brendon Cull, President & CEO, to lead the Chamber’s strategic planning process focused on growing the region’s economy, population, and cultural vibrancy.

Prior to joining the Chamber, Kate had a twenty-year career with Kroger in rising roles with audit, finance, investor relations, and Kroger Personal Finance (KPF). KPF encompasses several business lines – payment cards, gift cards, lottery, telecom, financial services and money services. KPF is one of Kroger’s largest and most successful business units, and as President, Kate led the marketing, operations, sales, and strategy for the division.

Kate was recognized as the “Best IR Professional” in the Food Retail Industry by Institutional Investor in 2017. In 2018, Kate was named one of the “Top Women in Grocery” by Progressive Grocer and one of 10 “Women Who Mean Business” by the Cincinnati Business Courier. In 2020, she participated in Leadership Cincinnati Class 44.

Kate graduated from Xavier University with a degree in Finance. She also obtained a Master of Business Administration from Miami University.

She volunteers her time with the United Way, preparing income taxes for low-income individuals. She serves as treasurer on the board of directors for EPIC House (Elderly Persons in Community). She also serves on the board of executive advisors for Xavier University’s finance department and Miami FSB steering committee for the MBA program. Kate and her husband, Tom, have two children, a lively hound named Phoebe, and reside in Montgomery.

Laurette supports Brendon J. Cull, President & CEO, as our Executive Assistant. Laurette’s focal point is a successful, smooth-flowing office and keeping Brendon happy. Laurette works closely with all members of the team, the Board of Directors, and the business community. She continuously builds relationships with her peers and fosters them with those she meets with a mission to help all succeed. With over 30 years of experience, she has been with the Cincinnati Chamber for 18 and has supported five CEOs. Her previous longest stint was with Provident Travel for 10 years supporting her second favorite CEO, Greg Waddell. The others can fight over who is first on the list, but “she” knows who “she” is.