WHO IS GUNN CONSULTING GROUP?
Biography
Dr. Karen S. Gunn established Gunn Consulting Group in 1984 to provide consultation services to private, non-profit and community organizations. GCG is experienced in qualitative research, training, facilitation, leadership, talent and management development, strategic planning, interpersonal communication. Dr. Gunn is widely recognized as a trainer, facilitator, motivational public speaker and community activist.
“. . highly professional services in research, training and facilitation have been important contributions to decision-making and goal setting.”
Deputy Director, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
Dr. Gunn has worked in the Los Angeles area since 1980. In addition to her extensive consultation experience, she has worked in higher education at the graduate and undergraduate levels. She was a tenured professor in the Psychology Department at Santa Monica College and served as Department Chairperson. Karen has played an instrumental leadership role in curriculum transformation, student equity initiatives, anti-bias training and facilitator of numerous professional development programs.
“. . [she has] deep knowledge and experience with equity, diversity and inclusion.” President, Seminole State College of Florida
Gunn Consulting Group offers a strong platform of expertise in strategic planning, team building, cultural competencies, diversity-inclusion-equity initiatives, and leadership, organizational and talent development.
Education
Ph.D., Community Psychology University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, MI.
M.A., Community Psychology University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, MI.
B.A., Psychology Oakland University-Rochester, MI.
“Maintains a professional demeanor, non-judgmental attitude and openness particularly effective in cross-cultural and ethnically diverse situations.”
Associates
Ramon Alvarado, M.A., Depth Psychology, Doctoral Candidate - Pacifica Graduate Institute
Mr. Alvarado is a Senior Resident Services Coordinator, Wellness and Sustainability Specialist, Community Corporation of Santa Monica and an independent consultant. He has expertise and insight in leadership coaching, community and organizational development, needs assessment and program evaluation.
Angela Antenore, M.Ed., B.A.
Angela Antenore is committed and experienced in assisting organizations to work better so that the people in them can do their best work. Antenore & Associates specializes in Leadership Development and Training, Diversity and Inclusion Engagement, Intercultural Communication, Mediation and Conflict Management.
Tomas E. Martinez, Ph.D., B.A.
Dr. Martinez is a Professor Emeritus at Pepperdine University (Malibu, CA.) where he served as a tenured Psychology professor for over 25 years. He is the former Executive Director - El Centro de Amistad (San Fernando, CA.), a groundbreaking mental health services provider. Dr. Martinez is a Cultural Competency Expert, with expertise in DEIA, team building, community and organizational development.
Julie Rusk
Co-Founder, Civic Wellbeing Partners
Chair, Santa Monica Bay Area Human Relations Council
Julie pioneered development of the nation’s first local wellbeing index – a data driven metric of community, social, educational, physical/emotional and economic health – for a total picture that goes beyond the narrow and traditional measure of GDP. She has published on wellbeing with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Julie co-founded Civic Wellbeing Partners to advance this work for national and global scaling.
Executive Advisor
Donna M. Stringer, Ph.D.
Former President and Co-Founder, Executive Diversity Services, Inc., (Seattle, WA.)
Faculty Member - Intercultural Communication Institute.
Dr. Stringer has extensive experience on the U.S. and Global platforms as a consultant and trainer in team building, Executive coaching, DEI Initiatives, strategic planning, intercultural communication and instructional design. She is a published author, and her work has been recognized by various organizations (e.g., Association for Talent Development, Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research) for excellence and innovation.
Professional Experience
Principal, Gunn Consulting Group, Santa Monica, CA.
Associate, Executive Diversity Services, Seattle, WA.
Associate, Erlich Transcultural Consultants, Woodland Hills, CA.
Professor, Former Chairwoman, Department of Psychology– Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA.
Community Psychologist; Administrator; Ethnic Minorities Services Coordinator, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles, CA.
Adjunct Professor, California School of Professional Psychology, Alhambra, CA.
Adjunct Professor, Undergraduate and Graduate Psychology Programs, California State University – Northridge, Northridge, CA.
Volunteer Experience
Member and Former Chairwoman; Santa Monica, (CA.), Bay Area Human Relations Council
Board Member, League of Women Voters-Santa Monica, CA.
Former Chairwoman and Member; City of Santa Monica, CA., Social Services Commission
Organizational Development Board member, American Society for Training and Development (ASTD)
Former Member, Board of Directors, Venice Family Clinic, Venice, CA.
Former Member, Advisory Board, Venice Family Clinic, Venice, CA.
Mentor, Black Collegian, and, Latino Center, Santa Monica College
Former Chairwoman and Member; Board of Directors, Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic, Hollywood, CA.
Member, Board of Directors, Youth Services Unlimited, Los Angeles, CA.
Former Member, Washtenaw County Commission on the Status of Women, Ann Arbor, MI.
Professional Certifications
Executive Coaching – International Coaching Federation
Mental Health First Aid
Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory
Strength Deployment Inventory
Cultural Competency Training
Train-the-Trainer Competencies
Mental Health First Aid
Eliminate Campus Sexual Violence
Summer Institute for Intercultural Communication
“Founders Award for Excellent Service and Commitment to Mental Health in Los Angeles County”, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health 2019
Awards - Partial List
“13th Annual Women Who Shape Santa Monica”, The League of Women Voters of Santa Monica 2020
Communitas 2020 Award for Community Service, Church in Ocean Park, Santa Monica, CA.
Certificate of Congressional Recognition for Outstanding Commitment to Racial Justice and Equality, Congressman Ted Lieu, 33rd District, California, 2020
“Black Excellence Award for Outstanding Service and Leadership” City of Santa Monica, CA. 2020
“Recognition Award for Commitment to Students and Colleagues”, Pan African Support Group, Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA.
Superintendent/President Certificate of Appreciation, in Recognition of Community Participation, Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA.
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Commendation for Contributions and Professional Commitment
Los Angeles Mayor’s Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Efforts and Accomplishments
California Legislature Assembly Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Service to the Community