Kari Walker

About Kari Walker

In my role at The Guidance Center, I am proudly serving as President and CEO. Over the past twenty-eight years I have helped TGC diversify and grow as a multi-service non-profit. These collaborative efforts have impacted thousands of people each year in the Metro Detroit region. As a mission focused non-profit we are responsive to community needs, and value our staff who provide the services. The Guidance Center\'s programs address needs across the lifespan. We Nurture Development| Foster Resilience| Cultivate Well-being. As an organization we are focused on ensuring that we promote evidence based practices and outcomes while also being fiscally responsible. Our strategic plan is focused on achieving mission impact through programs that are effective for the people who use them, sustainable and able to grow to meet community needs. The breadth of programs is captured at our website: Philanthropy is an important part of The Guidance Center\'s history and development. While the programs we offer are supported by government contracts, they are strengthened and enhanced by donor support. The Kids TALK CAC in Detroit is in a building on Ferry Street that was made possible by generous donors who contributed to support this valuable and important service to the children of Detroit and Wayne County. Recently programs that have been enhanced by donor support include the academic mentoring program Champions of Wayne, Nurture the Future (community education) and the Kids TALK CAC. We welcome and invite donors to get to know us and to learn more about how they can help. I am a proud graduate of The University of Michigan with a Master of Social Work Administration degree (1982), with over four decades of experience as an executive leader in mental health, health care, and social service agencies. I am a graduate of Leadership Detroit and participated in a variety of leadership development initiatives including the Harvard Business School executive education, Strategic Perspectives in Non-profit Management. I am a lifelong skier and outdoor enthusiast. I relieve stress and stay fit by riding my bike and enjoy all forms of cycling – road, mountain, gravel and tandem. I am an avid photographer and like to document my adventures.

Experience

1. President and Chief Executive Officer

   The Guidance Center

   Nov 2010 — Present

   Mission: Nurture Development. Foster Resilience. Cultivate well-beingVision: The Guidance Center will be an innovative leader in programs, community engagement and collaboration to create a vibrant future for those we serve. Learn more at my role as as President and CEO, I am responsible for providing strategic leadership of the organization by working with the Board of Directors and the executive management team to establish, implement and over-see the long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies of the organization. Motivate and lead a high performance management team. Spearhead the development, communication and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes. Represent the organization and its values with clients, donors, other community stakeholders, government funders, regulatory bodies and the public generally.Currently serving on the following Boards:Bridgeway Services Inc: Juvenile Justice organization serving youth and families in Southwest Detroit and the Downriver CommunitiesChampions of Wayne Advisory Board: Academic mentoring program at Wayne Memorial High School, Wayne MIWashtenaw County Community Mental Health Board: Community Mental Health Agency serving Washtenaw County residents

Education

• University of Michigan

  A.B., Psychology

  1976 — 1981

• University of Michigan

  Master of Social Work - MSW, Social Work Administration

  1981 — 1982