Our Team
Working Hard for Columbus and Our Members
How can the Columbus Chamber help you? Our team of business experts is here to provide information and connect you to resources and services.
Don DePerro
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.
Kelly Fuller
Senior Vice President of Columbus Chamber Foundation
Kelly Fuller loves to help people discover and develop their gifts, and as the Senior Vice President of the Columbus Chamber Foundation, 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.
Desmond “Dez” Bryant
Vice President of Government Relations
Kelly Campbell, CPA
Vice President of Finance & Administration
Hope Cotter
Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Born in Cincinnati and a transplant to the Columbus Region, Hope has a great passion for Ohio businesses and the community. As an Otterbein University graduate, Hope brings over 25 years of strategic and creative marketing experience to her Vice President of Marketing & Communications role 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. Before joining the Chamber, Hope was the Sr. Director of Sales Marketing and Research for Gannett | USA Today | Dispatch Media Group for nearly ten 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!). She enjoys hiking, traveling, attending the theater, and volunteering in her free time.
Lorie Holt
Vice President of Membership
Tim McKelly
Director of Sponsorships
Christine Boucher
Director, Columbus Region Logistics Council
Christine has always been a natural-born connector whether it was for work or personal. This “talent” began for Christine back when she was in high school and continued to follow her through her adventures and journey’s in her hometown of Bloomington, IN, Arizona, California, back to Indiana, and on to OHIO where she landed in 1991. When you meet and talk with Christine, she is more than likely already thinking about how she can connect you with someone else she knows!
Christine lives in Groveport with her husband, two youngest children, cat and dog. She and her husband have three older children who reside on their own and growing their own families. Christine has run a community non-profit for 15 years that supports families in crisis with rent, utilities, car repairs, and medical needs.
Mallory Roth
Director of Programming
Kayleigh Bowe
Events Producer
Kayleigh was raised in a very small town in eastern Ohio and moved to Columbus after graduating from Muskingum University with a B.A in History and Communication. After working in the events realm for several years, and after graduating with her MEd, she returned to Columbus to accept a role with the City of Gahanna and Gahanna CVB where she spent 4 years planning large community events and outdoor initiatives. She is excited to work with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and help execute the wonderful events and educational sessions. In her free time, Kayleigh enjoys going to the local professional sports matches/games. She also spends time finding the best free live music sessions and festivals to attend during the weekends.
Aaliyah Phounsavath
Marketing Specialist
Aaliyah is a proud Lao-American that was raised in a small suburb called Whitehouse in Northwest Ohio. She eventually moved to Columbus in 2016 to pursue a degree at The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business. She graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration, with a specialization in Marketing. She worked in the marketing realm for several years with various internships/jobs, while pursuing a degree at OSU! After graduating with her B.S., she accepted a Marketing position with the Columbus Clippers Baseball Team where she spent 1 year as an intern (during college), and then after graduation, spent 3 years working as the Assistant Director of Marketing, In-Game Entertainment + Promotions, as well as the Director of Social Media for her final year with the Clippers.
She is excited to work with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, and help provide marketing expertise to the Chamber's members. When Aaliyah isn't in the office, she enjoys going to "happy hour" at local restaurants, and visiting various Metro Parks in Columbus. She also spends time finding concerts to attend, taking her Doberman Silas for walks, traveling, cooking, and boating at Lake Erie.
Becca Shull
Account Manager
Becca Shull was born and raised in North Andover Massachusetts, and moved to Columbus after graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University. Since moving to Ohio Becca has learned to be an avid Ohio State fan. With her previous experience with small businesses, she is excited to help support small businesses meet their goals. When Becca is not in the office she is trying new restaurants in Columbus, spending time with her dog Chuck, or hanging out with family.
Nick Tafoya
Account Manager
Nick was born and raised in the far east side of Columbus and after graduating college moved to Victorian Village like a true city dweller. He grew up going to countless CBJ games with his dad and is now an avid fan.
He graduated from Wittenberg University with a double major in Communication and Sports Management. He spent the last 3 years in the healthcare industry where he would help people navigate the complex healthcare system. In his free time, you can find him around town trying all the coffee shops you can think of, being outside, or spending way too long in the Trader Joe's frozen food section.
He is excited to connect with you and make sure that you are getting the most out of your membership with the Columbus Chamber, email him today! (bonus points if you include a picture of your dog)
Holly Gallucci
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.
Nate McBride
Business Development Representative
Will Thieman
Business Development Representative
Will Thieman grew up in Upper Arlington, OH and is passionate to see Central Ohio grow and thrive. Will graduated from Ohio Wesleyan Cum Laude, and was captain of the tennis team his senior year. After graduating college, Will entered the real estate world: investing and managing residential real estate and representing buyers and sellers of commercial properties. During his tenure in commercial real estate, Will strategized with many business owners, and gained a wealth of experience. He is excited to work with businesses in Central Ohio and help them grow.
While Will is not working at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, he is coaching, writing or traveling. Will coaches high school tennis, and is the girls coach at Olentangy Liberty and boys coach at Upper Arlington. Will is the published author of a historical fiction book called Come Back Home, and hopes to publish a few more books. When he’s not writing or coaching, Will loves to travel. He’s been to 12 countries and hopes to visit a dozen more!
Laura Kenyon
Senior Office Manager
Marlene Donaldson
Executive Assistant
Marlene Donaldson is the Executive Assistant to the President and CEO at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce. She is an accomplished administrative professional who leads with a 'servant's heart'. Marlene provides high-level, strategic, and collaborative support to the CEO and leadership team. She brings to the Chamber her positive, can-do attitude and efficiency in project management. She thrives in a fast-paced environment, and her relationship-building skills have proven to build sincere connections resulting in loyal support.
Marlene is a proud graduate of The Ohio State University and a lifelong resident of Central Ohio. She connects to her community through volunteering and coordinating the fundraising initiatives of: A Special Wish Foundation, Inc., the Salvation Army of Central Ohio, The James Cancer Hospital, and Solove Research Institute. Marlene received the National Board of Governors Award from A Special Wish Foundation, Inc. in recognition of her service benefitting children with life-threatening illnesses.
In her spare time, Marlene enjoys traveling, cycling, and spending time with family and friends.