LaRese Purnell has 20 years of experience in business management, taxation, and finance. He is the Managing Partner of CLE Consulting Firm, an Accounting, Tax, Payroll, and Business Advisory company located in downtown Cleveland. He is a strong, innovative financial and strategic leader with instinct and intellect, a formidable combination in the business world. He has served in executive positions within leading businesses and financial departments within multi-million dollar for-profit and non-profit corporations.

LaRese received his MBA in Finance from the University of Toledo. He pursued his master’s in accountancy in Corporate Taxation from John Carroll University. LaRese is committed to the community and its residents, so he serves on the following Board of Directors. He is currently the Chairman of the BOD of the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, Board Member of The Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital, Chairman of the BOD of the Cleveland Public Library Foundation, and is the past Chairman of the BOD for Step Forward Today (formerly CEOGC), the largest community action agency in the State of Ohio. He was recently elected as the National Treasurer of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc., based in Atlanta, GA, and is the Treasurer of the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation. He is also a proud member of 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

He’s the author of Financial Foundations: Building Financial Freedom One Tool at a Time, where he uses everyday language to address the most fundamental questions people have about money. He has traveled to over 35-40+ cities nationally to teach financial literacy at various conventions, seminars, HBCUs, colleges, and universities, and various other events. He is also the founder and visionary behind The Real Black Friday, which is responsible for helping to bring awareness and providing access to black-owned businesses throughout Northeastern Ohio, with an over $5.5 million-dollar economic impact. He has been featured in various local and national publications and has appeared on multiple radio and television programs discussing various financial matters.

In 2023, he was named the National Ambassador for Our Money Matters, an organization that is focused on creating wealth for students at HBCUs across America and working with organizations and non-profits nationally to decrease the wealth gap in the black community. He was named one of Cleveland Magazine’s Most Interesting People, received the NAACP Rising Leader Award, and was recognized as one of Crain’s Notable Black Leaders, Smart 50 Business, and Crain’s 40/40, among many other recognitions.

Outside of work, LaRese stays busy spending time with his wife Rashaunda, son Gaven, son Maceo, and daughter Gabbi, attending church, serving in the community, playing sports, and traveling.