Anton J. Gunn

Anton Gunn is a leadership and strategy expert who helps executives build trust, inspire loyalty, and retain top talent in uncertain times.

With a distinguished career spanning college sports, healthcare, public service, and executive leadership, Anton is a sought-after strategic advisor to mission-driven leaders who want legendary success without sacrificing authenticity or purpose. As a former senior advisor to President Barack Obama and C-level healthcare executive, he delivers game-changing strategies that help organizations build legendary leaders and resilient teams.

A proven trailblazer from the start, Anton became the youngest CEO of a statewide nonprofit advocacy organization at 27. He later made history as the first African American elected to the South Carolina Legislature from his district. He was a two-time presidential appointee under the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama. Anton became the first African American to serve as the Director of External Affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Later in his career, he became the first African American C-level hospital executive at the Medical University of South Carolina Health System (MUSC Health). His meteoric rise in healthcare leadership earned him recognition as one of the Ten Most Influential Minority Executives in Healthcare. In 2026, Real Leaders Magazine named him #4 on their list of Top 100 Impact Speakers. His 25 years of service as a nonprofit board director and current Chairmanship at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport Commission underscore his strategic leadership and corporate governance expertise.

When he’s not developing legendary leaders and transforming workplace cultures, Anton is a proud curator of 80s and 90s hip-hop memorabilia, proving that leadership, like music, is about rhythm, authenticity, and legendary impact.