Gary J. Frost, Ph.D.
Senior Advisor for Planning and Policies, Canyon Ranch Institute
Gary J. Frost has been advising management on strategic planning, leadership assessment, organizational development, and optimal healing environments for over 30 years. In May 2009, Gary joined Canyon Ranch Institute, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, as Senior Advisor for Planning and Policies. Canyon Ranch Institute catalyzes the possibility of optimal health for all people by translating the best practices of Canyon Ranch and our partners to help educate, inspire, and empower every person to prevent disease and choose a life of wellness.
As Canyon Ranch Institute's most senior advisor and an original member of the Canyon Ranch Institute team, Gary is uniquely qualified to provide advice to the current team regarding professional and organizational development.
In addition to Gary's role at Canyon Ranch Institute, he serves as an adjunct professor to the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona, as well as sits on the school's Executive Council.
Previously, Gary was corporate executive vice president of Canyon Ranch, where he served as a member of the Canyon Ranch Board of Directors and Governance Committee. In addition to management oversight, Gary had corporate responsibility for creating and maintaining viable health service programs at all Canyon Ranch facilities.
Gary has held several academic roles in his career. These include serving as vice chancellor for organizational development at the National University System and dean of the School of Health and Human Services. In addition, he led the Institute for Wellness and Peak Performance and its application to individual and corporate creativity and productivity. Gary was assistant dean and faculty member at Michigan State University, and is one of the founders of James Madison College. Following the success of that program, he joined the University of California, San Diego, as dean to design and implement Earl Warren College, a four-year undergraduate school.
As an author and lecturer, Gary's topics include Understanding America's Aging Population; Healthy Leaders, Healthy Organizations; Balancing Life: Family, You & the Organization; The Issue of Denial in Men's Health; Living Younger Longer; and Creating Optimal Healing Environments.
Gary earned a bachelor of arts in history and political science from Hunter College in New York and a master of arts in sociology from Kent State University in Ohio. He earned his doctorate in education from Michigan State University. Gary is a member of many boards, including the National Advisory Board of the Corporate Health Improvement Program.