Gary L. Cunningham has served as a top leader of philanthropic, health care, public policy, community development and educational organizations. Gary joined Prosperity Now as President and CEO in August 2019. Prosperity Now’s mission is to ensure that everyone in our country has a clear path to financial stability, wealth and prosperity.
Previously, Gary was the President and CEO of the Metropolitan Economic Development Association. Under Gary’s leadership, Meda was recognized as the top minority business development organization in the United States for four consecutive years by the US Department of Commerce. Meda also established the largest pitch competition for entrepreneurs of color in the country, the Meda Million Dollar Challenge.
Prior to joining Meda, Gary served as Vice President and Chief Program Officer for the Northwest Area Foundation, where he was responsible for carrying out the foundation’s mission to help communities reduce poverty in an eight-state region of the United States. Gary also formerly served as the President and Chief Executive Officer for NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center in Minneapolis, where he designed and successfully led a renewal effort to create the largest and most successful community health and human service organization in Minnesota. He also served as Director of Planning and Development for Hennepin County where he led major affordable housing and economic development efforts.
Gary earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in public policy from Metropolitan State University and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
