COSE Committees

Committees helping shape small business growth

Welcome to the heart of small business dynamism! At COSE, we're on a mission to empower and accelerate small businesses throughout the region. But, guess what? We can't do it by ourselves. We need the spirited collaboration of business owners and leaders like you to help drive our mission and small business growth.

COSE's active committees:

Small Business Impact & Growth Committee: This committee drives the development of impactful offerings that deepen the value of COSE membership.
Talent & Workforce Committee: This committee is dedicated to helping small businesses in Greater Cleveland navigate their most pressing people-related challenges.
Outreach and Engagement Committee: This committee partners with the COSE team to actively promote the value of COSE across Greater Cleveland’s small-business community and ecosystem.
Education & Content Committee: This committee guides the development of timely, relevant, and engaging content for small businesses across Greater Cleveland.
Public Policy Small Business Caucus: This committee is charged with understanding, discussing, and taking action on legislative and regulatory issues affecting small businesses.

Small Business Impact & Growth Committee

The Member Impact & Growth Committee drives the development of impactful offerings that deepen the value of COSE membership. By designing new programs, expanding connection opportunities, and shaping the future of member experience, the team ensures COSE remains the region’s most trusted partner for small business growth, innovation, and community.

Board Leadership: Fernando Bertero and Liz Hersh

Talent & Workforce Committee

The COSE Talent & Workforce Committee is dedicated to helping small businesses in Greater Cleveland navigate their most pressing people-related challenges. This committee identifies workforce trends, skills gaps, and hiring or retention barriers facing small employers and develops practical strategies, resources, and partnerships to address them. From connecting businesses to regional talent pipelines to exploring innovative solutions for training, upskilling, and workplace culture, the committee ensures COSE members have the support they need to attract, retain, and develop the talent that drives growth.

Board Leadership: Roger Frank

Outreach and Engagement Committee

The COSE Outreach and Engagement Committee partners with the COSE team to actively promote the value of COSE across Greater Cleveland’s small-business community and ecosystem. This committee helps attract new members, welcomes them into the network, and strengthens member retention through meaningful engagement opportunities. By amplifying COSE’s mission and fostering genuine connections, the committee ensures every small business feels informed, supported, and part of a thriving entrepreneurial community.

Board Leadership: Bill Baraona and Chris Howse

Small Business Caucus

The COSE Small Business Caucus acts as a standing body charged with understanding, discussing, and taking action on legislative and regulatory issues affecting small businesses. This includes working at the regional, state, and federal levels to escalate and advocate for policies that best support the needs and promote the growth of small businesses. Members of the Small Business Caucus also serve on the GCP Government Affairs Council representing the voice of small business as it relates to issues impacting the business community.

Board Leadership: John Young

Education & Content Committee

The COSE Education & Content Committee guides the development of timely, relevant, and engaging content for small businesses across Greater Cleveland. This group identifies priority topics, selects the best formats for sharing insights, and ensures consistent, high-value learning experiences for members. The committee also leads the planning and curation of the annual COSE BIG Summit, shaping a dynamic event that equips entrepreneurs to learn, grow, and thrive.

Co-Chairs: Bonnie Matthew, Food For Thought, Inc./Marvin Montgomery, The Sales Doctor

Help grow small businesses across the region

Join a COSE committee and be a part of small business success and expansion.

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