Mary Kate Gulick, former Chief Marketing Officer for Carson Group, has filed a lawsuit against the Omaha-based wealth management company, alleging wrongful termination as retaliation for reporting a sexual assault incident involving a colleague.
The legal action accuses Carson Group of fostering a “toxic leadership culture,” which Gulick claims exacerbated her psychological distress, leading to depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for discrimination and retaliation.
In response to these serious allegations, Heather Randolph Carter, the newly appointed Chief Marketing Officer of Carson Group, stated, "Our company cannot comment extensively on ongoing legal matters, but we categorically deny these claims and are prepared to rigorously defend our stance."
This lawsuit emerges amidst a period of considerable executive turnover at Carson Group. Founder Ron Carson recently announced his resignation as CEO, appointing Chief Strategy Officer Burt White as his successor. Additionally, the firm welcomed Dani Fava as the new Chief Strategy Officer and Randolph Carter as Chief Marketing Officer.
Carson Group, established over four decades ago by Ron Carson, has evolved into a prominent registered investment advisor, managing approximately $35.5 billion in assets and maintaining a nationwide presence.
Gulick’s tenure as CMO began on June 22, 2021. According to her lawsuit, during a 2022 industry conference, a Carson Group employee allegedly assaulted another attendee. The identities of the alleged assailant and victim have not been disclosed, as confirmed by Gulick’s attorneys, Alexis Mullaney and Tom Freeman of the Omaha-based Fiedler Law Firm.
Following the alleged incident, Gulick informed Kelsey Ruwe, Carson Group’s Chief Human Resources Officer, and was assured by President Teri Shepherd that the matter would be handled appropriately. Despite attempts, neither Ruwe nor Shepherd could be reached for comment regarding the situation.
The complaint includes an exchange of messages from September 2021 between White and Gulick, where White expressed dissatisfaction with the firm's culture, comparing his discomfort to “rejecting a bad organ implant” and contemplating a significant directional change for the company.
Gulick later discovered that the alleged perpetrator was still employed and had been allowed to participate in another conference, a decision she deemed reckless, posing a continued risk to women at the event and within the company. Despite her objections, senior executives reportedly informed her that the decision to retain the alleged assailant was made by Ron Carson, who has not commented on the matter.
The complaint details that Gulick’s mental health deteriorated significantly by early 2023 due to work-related stress, leading her to take an approved intermittent medical leave. During this period, she reiterated the traumatic impact of her experiences to White and Shepherd, who acknowledged her previously exemplary performance.
The situation escalated when, after a disappointing evaluation by an unnamed executive who criticized her emotional response to workplace issues, Gulick was terminated by White in June 2023. He cited fluctuations between her professional excellence and personal dissatisfaction as reasons for her dismissal.
Gulick has since transitioned to a position at FiComm Partners, a marketing agency, and her lawsuit is calling for a jury trial. As of now, Carson Group has not yet formally responded to the lawsuit in court.
