Carson Group's former chief marketing officer, Mary Kate Gulick, is suing the firm for allegedly retaliating against her and ultimately firing her after she voiced concerns about how it handled a report of sexual assault by a Carson employee.
Gulick's lawsuit alleges that the assault occurred at an industry conference in late 2022 and that the assailant was not fired by Carson Group, a decision made by then-CEO Ron Carson.
Gulick, according to the suit, "was deeply troubled by Carson Group's complete lack of concern about having an alleged sexual predator working there, where he was interacting and traveling with Carson Group's female employees," leading to difficulty eating and sleeping.
Gulick declined to comment.
Heather Randolph Carter, Carson Group CMO, said in a statement that "while we are limited in our ability to comment on active litigation, we unequivocally dispute these allegations, and we will vigorously defend ourselves against these claims.
"The people of Carson Group are its most important asset, and the organization remains dedicated to ensuring their continued well-being and helping them to achieve their professional goals," the Carson executive explained.
Gulick, who is now CMO at FiComm Partners, filed the suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska, in Omaha, on April 19. The suit was first reported by Financial Advisor IQ.
In June 2022, Gulick told her direct supervisor, Managing Partner Jamie Hopkins, of "her dissatisfaction with the toxic leadership culture at Carson Group and informed Hopkins that she planned to resign," according to the suit.
At that time, "Hopkins informed Mary Kate that Carson Group's minority investor no longer wanted her to be CMO, and he wanted her for a different role," the suit states.
Gulick "expressed her intent only to stay until Hopkins could find a new CMO," according to the suit. In late June 2022, Hopkins presented Gulick with other ideas for a senior vice president role, and Guilck "reiterated her intent to leave Carson once Hopkins could find a replacement CMO," the suit states.
On Aug. 8, 2022, when Gulick inquired about the CMO search, "Hopkins informed her that no search had begun. He presented her with another leadership position." Gulick reminded Hopkins she intended to leave and gave her formal notice of resignation.
In late 2022, Gulick represented Carson Group at an industry conference. Gulick "had a leadership role in organizing and conducting the conference that year. An employee of Carson Group allegedly sexually assaulted an attendee at that conference," the suit states.
After informing Kelsey Ruwe, the head of human resources, of the alleged assault, Gulick was assured by Carson's president, Teri Shepherd, a week later that "the sexual assault would be handled appropriately," the suit states. "It was not."
