Areas of Experience

Gururaj Kumar is a consultant, coach, and facilitator who helps individuals and organizations address workplace concerns early, navigate conflict constructively, and build cultures of trust and accountability. As an International Ombuds Association (IOA) trained ombuds with over 25 years of experience as a neutral, confidential resource, he provides informal dispute resolution, conflict coaching, and systemic support to leaders and teams across complex organizations. Gururaj specializes in helping organizations strengthen communication, resolve concerns before they escalate, and design systems that promote fairness, transparency, and collaborative problem-solving.

Working across five continents, Gururaj has developed deep cross-cultural competency while serving thousands of leaders, managers, executives, and diplomats in city, state, federal, international, and NGO organizations—including the Office of Personnel Management, Transportation Security Administration, National Counterterrorism Center, Federal Reserve Board, Veterans Affairs, NASA, Airbnb, United Airlines, Morgan Stanley, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. His experience extends to high-stress environments, including USAID’s Staff Care Center and disaster response with FEMA during Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Harvey.

Integrating conflict resolution, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness, Gururaj takes a systemic, human-centered approach to his work. He helps clients surface underlying concerns, identify constructive options, and create pathways forward that honor dignity and support sustainable resolution. A dedicated educator, he serves as faculty at Northwestern University teaching negotiation and mediation, and has been an adjunct professor and guest lecturer at American University, Georgetown University, Champlain College, and the University of Maryland. Known for his impartiality, discretion, and strategic insight, Gururaj is deeply committed to helping organizations resolve conflict early and build workplaces where people feel heard, valued, and empowered.