Brenda Cucci

Brenda Cucci is the CEO and Founder of Cucci Consulting and Ability2S, where she helps clients strengthen business development, sales strategy, and sustainability initiatives. With more than 20 years of leadership experience at companies including IBM, Accenture, Cisco, HP, Xerox, and Unisys. 

A two-time Michigan State University graduate, Brenda earned both her B.A. (1988) and M.A. (1995) in Telecommunication. She worked her way through college, supporting herself financially. Brenda launched her career through an AT&T internship, which led to managing voice and data networks for the Michigan State Legislature. A pivotal moment came when a mentor pushed her from technical operations into sales. This was an unexpected shift that revealed her talent for blending technology, strategy, and relationship building. “Having that technical background and understanding technology has defined my exceptional sales career,” she says. 

Brenda remains deeply connected to MSU as a ComArtSci Alumni Board member, founding board member of the Center for Ethical & Socially Responsible Leadership, guest lecturer, and creator of the Cucci Endowed Scholarship. She stays involved because she believes in the board’s potential to shape the college’s future: “I’m hopeful that the expertise the board brings can be infused into our participation and actually make a difference.” 

Her advice to students reflects her own journey: “Cast a wide net. Your professional journey, just like your personal journey, is not a straight line.” 

A passionate Spartan, Brenda splits her time between Pentwater, Michigan and Sarasota, Florida, remains active in community service, and enjoys golf and involvement in sports. Her family is proudly MSU rooted, with her husband and daughter both Spartan graduates and her youngest also a devoted Spartan fan.