Ronell S. Pugh, Ph.D., MBA

Dr. Ronell S. Pugh is a marketing psychologist and the founder of Kingdom Economic Development Corporation (KingdomEDC), a community-focused nonprofit that equips underserved entrepreneurs with the skills, tools, and support to launch, fund, and grow sustainable businesses. His work blends behavioral science with real-world execution—making complex concepts simple, actionable, and culturally responsive.

Holding a PhD in International Psychology and an MBA in Marketing, Dr. Pugh serves as a Professor of Marketing, where he teaches consumer behavior, digital marketing, and social impact strategy. His research and teaching center on founder psychology, decision-making under stress, and trauma-informed approaches to entrepreneurship—especially for first-generation founders navigating cash-flow shocks, rejection, and systemic barriers.

Through KingdomEDC, Dr. Pugh designs programs that build trust and capability: practical training, mentoring, and step-by-step growth playbooks; pathways to capital in partnership with values-aligned lenders; and community-based learning that turns insight into income. He also leads KingdomEDC’s insights and advisory work for mission-driven organizations, helping partners understand local business needs and measure impact.

Grounded, empathetic, and execution-oriented, Dr. Pugh’s mission is simple: expand access, reduce risk, and help entrepreneurs turn vision into viable, fundable ventures—without losing their health, values, or community in the process.

Focus Areas:

• Founder psychology & trauma-informed entrepreneurship
• Consumer behavior & decision-making
• Access to capital & small-business funding readiness
• Community-centered program design & impact measurement
• Digital marketing strategy for micro and small businesses