Kendra Cole

Expect Kendra Cole, a pragmatic and innovative PR professional, to listen first, strategize thoughtfully and execute creatively and efficiently.

As the director of accounts strategy at Purpose Brand, Kendra’s main objective is to identify opportunities that drive long-term value for clients. Over a decade in public relations, experiential marketing and crisis management, she has spearheaded campaigns for BBVA Compass bank and for DiGiorno, Maxwell House, McCormick spices, Pedigree, Red Bull and other brand leaders. Kendra recognizes marketing problems and customer needs. Bringing together the right partners, including celebrity influencers from baseball’s David Ortiz to country singer Miranda Lambert, she creates successful campaigns that align with organizational goals.

Relationship-building skills and a healthy dose of competitiveness have helped Kendra secure top-tier media, from “Good Morning America,” “Today” and other network news shows, ESPN, USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, PopSugar and Vibe. She also showed entrepreneurial skill as co-founder of the venture-backed startup Sparrow Financial, dedicated to empowering women to live fuller lives through innovative tech solutions.

A dedicated community advocate, serves on the board of Young, Black & Lit, a 501(c)(3) organization that provides books reflecting and affirming Black children to local youth; and as the parent representative for the Illinois Emergency Medical Services for Children Advisory Board. Since 2017, Kendra has both volunteered as a caregiver representative and provided pro bono media relations services for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois, where she was recently appointed to the board as a parent advocate.

Kendra earned a Master of Arts in Communication Management from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts in Television Production from Howard University. She lives in Chicago with her partner and their three children.