LaRese Purnell
CLE Consulting Firm, Managing Partner
LaRese Purnell has 20 years of experience in business management, taxation and finance. He is the current Managing Partner of CLE Consulting Firm, an Accounting, Tax and Payroll services 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 dollars for profit and non-profit corporations.
LaRese initially 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, The Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital, Chairman of the BOD of the Cleveland Public Library Foundation, is the immediate past Chairman of the BOD for Step Forward Today (formerly CEOGC), the largest community action agency in the State of Ohio, recently named the Co-Chair of the National Board of the Economic Empowerment Program and recently elected as the National Treasurer of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc based in Atlanta, GA, Board Member for Great Lakes Science Center. 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, HBCU's, colleges and universities and various other events. He is also the founder and visionary behind The Real Black Friday that is responsible for helping to bring awareness and providing access to black owned businesses throughout Northeastern Ohio, within 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 as the National Ambassador for Our Money Matters, an organization that is focused on creating wealth for students at HBCU's across America and working with organizations and non-profits nationally to decrease the wealth gap in the black community. He was named as one of Cleveland Magazine's Most Interesting People, NAACP Rising Leader Award, Crain's Notable Black Leaders, Smart 50 Business and Crain's 40/40 and many other recognitions. Outside of work, LaRese stays busy spending time with his wife Rashaunda, sons (Gaven and Maceo) and daughter (Gabbi), attending church, serving in the community, playing sports and traveling.
LaRese initially 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, The Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital, Chairman of the BOD of the Cleveland Public Library Foundation, is the immediate past Chairman of the BOD for Step Forward Today (formerly CEOGC), the largest community action agency in the State of Ohio, recently named the Co-Chair of the National Board of the Economic Empowerment Program and recently elected as the National Treasurer of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc based in Atlanta, GA, Board Member for Great Lakes Science Center. 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, HBCU's, colleges and universities and various other events. He is also the founder and visionary behind The Real Black Friday that is responsible for helping to bring awareness and providing access to black owned businesses throughout Northeastern Ohio, within 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 as the National Ambassador for Our Money Matters, an organization that is focused on creating wealth for students at HBCU's across America and working with organizations and non-profits nationally to decrease the wealth gap in the black community. He was named as one of Cleveland Magazine's Most Interesting People, NAACP Rising Leader Award, Crain's Notable Black Leaders, Smart 50 Business and Crain's 40/40 and many other recognitions. Outside of work, LaRese stays busy spending time with his wife Rashaunda, sons (Gaven and Maceo) and daughter (Gabbi), attending church, serving in the community, playing sports and traveling.
