Eric Gurna is an experienced nonprofit executive and consultant committed to supporting the work of organizations dedicated to community & youth development and social justice. From 2015 to 2021, Eric served as President & CEO of LA’s BEST Afterschool Enrichment Program, a partnership of the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Unified School District and the private sector serving 25,000 children at nearly 200 Los Angeles elementary schools. Prior to leading LA鈥檚 BEST, Eric was the founder, President and CEO of Development Without Limits, where he led a team that designed and facilitated staff development, curriculum and other resources for community organizations and schools nationwide.
Eric holds a B.S. in Political Science from the University of California at Irvine and an M.S. in Urban Policy Analysis and Management from the New School for Social Research in New York. He has participated in several intensive professional development experiences, including Foundations for Systems Leadership with Peter Senge, Trauma-Informed Practice with Pia Escudero, Open Space Technology with Harrison Owen and Theater of the Oppressed with Augusto Boal. Eric brings a deep commitment to positive youth development to his work, and a national reputation for thought leadership in the Expanded Learning movement. He also brings a nuanced understanding and appreciation for how children learn and develop, and a passion for staff and program development. 鈥�