Executive Women's Leadership Program

A series committed to developing leadership skills of women serving the nonprofit community. Curriculum provides an in-depth study of female leadership in the areas of volunteerism and philanthropy.

2010-11 Series Moderator: Karen Gentleman

Karen L. Gentleman is a research professional with more than twenty-five years of experience in market research, marketing, real estate development and advertising.

Gentleman founded Gentleman Associates, a market research consulting firm, in 1988. The company has been re-branded as Gentleman McCarty, upon the addition of Michael McCarty who spent 26 years at Simon Property Group. Gentleman’s expertise has primarily been in consumer research, and her client list includes most of the country’s leading shopping center developers, a number of downtown organizations, several large financial institutions, Indiana's largest hospital system and non-profit and governmental organizations.

The types of consumer research studies conducted by Gentleman McCarty include interviewing consumers at central locations or by telephone or mail, focus group studies, and feasibility studies. Every final report is customized to provide solutions to the specific questions and problems of that individual client.

Gentleman McCarty is responsible for designing these studies and preparing a detailed analysis of findings. Data collection and processing is managed by Gentleman McCarty through the use of top-quality vendors. Because the company is small in size, clients are guaranteed to receive the personal attention that their study deserves.

Gentleman has achieved a strong national reputation in two specialty areas. She is a nationally-known focus group moderator. And her expertise in consumer research for shopping centers is frequently called upon by the industry trade association, the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Prior to establishing her own company, Gentleman was Director of Research for Melvin Simon & Associates, the nation's leading shopping center manager/developer. A key advantage in having worked within a company structure is that Gentleman understands that effective market research must be clearly communicated and must provide a course of action. She has successfully worked with many of her clients to incorporate market research information into their decision-making process.

Gentleman has also held research positions at Montgomery Zukerman & Davis, Indianapolis' largest advertising agency and D'Arcy MacManus & Masius Advertising in Chicago.

She received her MBA from Indiana University with a major emphasis in marketing and has served on IU Kelley School of Business’ Alumni Association Board of Directors. Her undergraduate degree was from Wellesley College, from which she graduated with honors. She is a past president of the Indianapolis Marketing Association and a graduate of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series. In Indianapolis, she serves on the boards of directors for Women’s Fund of Central Indiana, the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Central Indiana and University High School. Gentleman also serves on the ICSC Research Advisory Task Force. The company is certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise by both the State of Indiana and City of Indianapolis.

To learn more about Leadership United, please call 317.921.1274 or e-mail Alan Witchey at alan.witchey@uwci.org.