VITAL2025 2025

Recognized for his extensive work as a former senior advisor to President Barack Obama; a prominent health care executive; and a leading expert on Socially Conscious Leadership, Gunn has a passion for making positive changes that impact others. Early in his career, Gunn was the first African American from his district elected to the South Carolina legislature, breaking through barriers and teaching others to create influence and impact in their own lives. Gunn is a graduate of the University of South Carolina (USC) where he played SEC football for the Gamecocks. He also earned a master’s degree in social work from USC and was a resident fellow at Harvard. Gunn is the bestselling author of “Just Lead,” “The Audacity of Leadership,” and “The Presidential Principles,” and has been featured in TIME Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, INC Magazine, BBC, NPR, and on Good Morning America. He also was named one of the Ten Most Influential Minority Executives in Healthcare by Fierce Healthcare. An international keynote speaker, management consultant, and the CEO of 937 Strategy Group, Gunn has worked with renowned organizations like Mercedes-Benz Vans, KPMG, Rock Ventures, Sodexo, WellPath, Verizon Wireless, Aetna, T-Mobile, American Organization of Nurse Leaders, Emory Healthcare, Blue Shield of California, and The Boeing Company. Gunn is a certified speaking professional, a designation earned by the top echelon of professional speakers and held by fewer than 10 percent of the members belonging to the International Federation for Professional Speakers. He has spent his life helping leaders build diverse, high-performing teams and world-class workplace cultures, and he currently serves on multiple boards.