Vanessa L. Whiting

Vanessa L. Whiting was appointed to the Cleveland State University Board of Trustees on September 20, 2020 by Governor Mike

DeWine for a term ending May 1, 2029.

Ms. Whiting is President of A.E.S Management Corp., a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen franchisee, which employs more than 350 Cuyahoga and Summit County residents at its sixteen Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen locations, well known for its ongoing commitment to providing second chances to community members.

Ms. Whiting is also a top attorney in Cleveland, having founded her own law firm and practicing law for more than 30 years; she was recognized by Northern Ohio Live as one of this area’s top 100 lawyers for the impactful work she has done in economic and

community development.

Ms. Whiting earned a B.S. in public policy from Duke University, a M.S in urban affairs and public policy from Southern Illinois University and a J.D. from the University of Illinois, UrbanaChampaign. She currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of The MetroHealth System and is a member of the Tri-C Foundation Board of Trustees, the Cleveland United Way Board of Directors and the Olympic Steel Board of Directors. Ms. Whiting also serves on Governor DeWine’s Business Advisory Committee for COVID-19 and is a member of the Restaurant Advisory Committee for COVID-19.

Whiting is a Life Member of the NAACP, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She was named the Black Professional of the Year for 2019 by the Black Professional Association Charitable Foundation.