Claudia M. Abercrumbie is the President & CEO of The Abercrumbie Group, a company that creates and manages signature events that add value to the community and help its corporate partners advance their business objectives. She began her career in Brand Management and Ethnic Marketing at Procter & Gamble; managed Ethicon Endo-Surgery’s participation in over 100 national medical conventions; and raised over $10 million for university-wide initiatives for the University of Cincinnati Foundation.

Claudia was recognized as an Enquirer Woman of the Year in 2022; Girl Scouts of Western Ohio Woman of Distinction in 2019; University of Cincinnati Business Fellows Program Distinguished Alumna of the Year in 2017; University of Cincinnati African American Alumni Affiliate Linda Bates Parker Legend Award Recipient in 2017; and a YWCA Greater Cincinnati Career Woman of Achievement in 2016. She is a graduate of the Indiana University Kelley Graduate School of Business and the University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business.

In 30 seconds or less, tell us who YOU are. This is not your professional bio, but rather, your response should reflect how you are uniquely you.
I am a woman of strong faith. I am the wife of an extraordinary man, Dr. P. Eric Abercrumbie, and the mother of an amazing daughter, Erica. I am an entrepreneur who works hard every day to make a difference in the lives of others, especially people of color and women. I love fiercely, but need to make time to show it more to my family, friends, and colleagues. I am a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

What is something that most people do not know about you?
I am an introvert who prefers to be behind the scenes.

What are your personal core values?
Faith, family, and excellence.

What is the primary motivation of your leadership?
To do work with excellence and produce tangible results.

What has been the cornerstone of your life journey that influenced your personal mission and purpose?
I have been influenced by 1) my mother, who was the sweetest person I know, always giving back to others, especially children and 2) my husband, who has impacted thousands of Black students over the course of his 47-year career at the University of Cincinnati and now as a volunteer coach at Woodward High School.

Who has had an immense impact on you as a leader? How did this person (or people) impact your life?
When I was a preteen, my auntie asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I proudly told her I wanted to be an executive secretary. She told me that would be great, but she believed I could be a President & CEO.

In addition, because of Oprah Winfrey and Robert Smith, I strive not to just give back, but to do so in significant ways.

What piece of advice have you received along the way in your career or life journey that has stuck with you?
I can have, do, or be anything I want if I just ask and believe.

What one thing makes you most proud?
In the midst of life’s ups and downs, my family is still standing stronger than ever.

What’s one thing you do every day (or with consistency) to be a better person?
Daily devotion and prayer.

What are a few resources or behaviors you would recommend to someone looking to grow into a better leader?
Be Braver | Dream Bigger | Rise Higher

How do you define success?
Success is a favorable or desired outcome.  I absolutely have desired outcomes for both my personal life and professional life.

Why do you choose to make the Cincinnati region home?
I was born and raised here.

What do you imagine for the future of the Cincinnati region?
I believe our region has the right people and systems in place to be a model for the nation on how to measurably advance racial equity for Black and Brown people through entrepreneurship, home ownership, and healthcare.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
I hope my work measurably advances racial wealth equity; empowers and inspires women of all ethnicities to be braver, dream bigger, and rise higher; develops young Black and Brown entrepreneurs with scalable businesses that generate significant wealth; and shifts the narrative about African American men.