OUR FOUNDERS
Since the 1960s, Sonia March Nevis and Edwin C. Nevis have
been international leaders in developing powerful techniques to
transform organization and family interactions based on Gestalt
theory. After studying with the originators of Gestalt therapy,
they helped to found two of the most successful Gestalt training
organizations in the world. Sonia Nevis pioneered the expansion of
Gestalt therapy application, first to couples and families, and then
to small groups and teams. To teach this work she established the Cape Cod Training Program (formerly known as the Couple and
Family Training Program), which for over twenty years has drawn
participants from around the world. Edwin Nevis was a creator of
the Gestalt approach to organizational consulting, consulting to
Fortune 500 companies, and writing Organizational Consulting:
A Gestalt Approach and co-authoring Intentional Revolutions: A
Seven-Point Strategy for Transforming Organizations in addition
to many other articles. He helped found the groundbreaking
Gestalt OSD Program in Cleveland, and later the OSD International Program. Edwin and Sonia continue to be frequent contributors to
professional journals.
Over the years their theoretical advances have expanded Gestalt
theory. They have trained thousands of consultants, coaches,
therapists and leaders worldwide, transforming their effectiveness.
They continue to teach at GISC and publish and refine their
approach, bridging personal and professional life so that each world
can benefit from the strengths of the other. Their students have
gone on to extend the development of new theory and practice, and
now form the core of GISC’s experienced faculty.
The intensely tangible qualities they model of generosity, integrity,
and professional curiosity are the values that GISC is built upon.
OUR EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
In 2002 GISC completed construction of the beautiful Wellfleet Meeting House, creating a unique retreat-like training facility designed for small and large group meetings and enabling a significantly expanded offering of programs. Now GISC offers a wide variety of programs that together form an extensive course of study for leaders and practitioners. In 2008 the expansion of our continuing education certifications led to the approval of several of our programs for International Coach Federation ongoing certification, and in 2010 we began offering our GISC Advanced Practice OD Consulting Certification.
LEADERSHIP SUCCESSION
To support the long-term sustainability of GISC, a leadership succession plan was put into place by the board of directors in 2006. Nancy Scott Hardaway, MEd, served as President and CEO from 2007 to June 2010. Nancy succeeded in her mission to support the community of founders, faculty, and learners while developing management and operations infrastructure and expanding programs to create a foundation for long-term sustainability.
OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
In June, 2010, David Tunney, MA, was hired as Executive Director to help grow all programs and services while continuing to enhance financial position and operational performance. David is an Organizational Development (OD) Consultant with twenty years’ experience in Fortune 100 and middle market companies representing various industries including healthcare, information technology, financial and professional services, entertainment, telecommunications, as well as energy and utilities.
In addition to ten years’ experience with global consulting firms Pricewaterhouse Coopers and IBM, David has worked as an internal consultant, an independent consultant, and with boutique firms. He has extensive experience in all aspects of global OD. He has a BA from Guilford College in Political Science and an MA in Organizational Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. |
