Founder Gretchen H. Kunkel brings her three decades of professional experience and subject matter expertise augmented by top advisors in the nonprofit sector to every engagement. The firm is flexible, agile, and creative when it comes to meeting clients’ unique needs.
Founder Gretchen Kunkel
About Gretchen H. Kunkel
Gretchen H. Kunkel has dedicated her career to improving the health and well-being of children, families, and communities. For more than 30 years, she has worked at the intersection of health, food, community development, and the systems that shape the lives of children and families. Through her firm, she helps nonprofit and philanthropic organizations deepen their impact by strengthening programs, shaping strategy, advancing advocacy efforts, and supporting effective operations.
From 2008 to 2018, Gretchen served as president of KC Healthy Kids, a Kansas City nonprofit she helped found in 2004 to expand opportunities for healthy eating and active living. Under her leadership, KC Healthy Kids established the Greater Kansas City Food Policy Coalition, built a multi-system early childhood initiative for children ages 0 to 3 and their families, and launched farm to school and youth advocacy programming. The organization also advanced numerous policy and environmental changes that improved access to healthier lifestyles across the region. During her tenure, KC Healthy Kids became a leading voice for children’s health, receiving a Regional Leadership Award for outstanding contributions in the Kansas City region in 2016. In 2016 and 2017, KC Healthy Kids also received a Philly Award of Distinction for outstanding achievements in nonprofit marketing and communications.
Before joining KC Healthy Kids, Gretchen served as Associate Executive Director of the Center for Community Solutions, a research and advocacy organization in Cleveland, Ohio. In that role, she managed planning efforts related to domestic violence and elder abuse, directed the Title X Family Planning program, guided major research projects, and oversaw the organization’s finances and administration. She also served as Director of Community Health Services at the Center for Health Affairs, leading the hospital association’s work in community health improvement.
Gretchen has been active in several organizations and coalitions focused on health and human services. She has authored work on farm to school, the built environment, and social and health indicators, and has delivered presentations on many aspects of healthy eating and active living. Gretchen holds Master’s Degrees in Health Administration and Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Kansas. She has also completed training on racism and racial equity through the Racial Equity Institute and on coalition building through the Center for Creative Leadership.
GHK Consulting works with a host of consultants to provide project support and staffing. These consultants have expertise in the following areas:
Advocacy,
Communications,
Executive searches,
Fundraising,
Nonprofit capacity building,
Program evaluation,
Research, and
Strategy.