About Caristone Consulting

At Caristone Consulting, we specialize in benefit plan governance, compliance, and fiduciary oversight—bringing clarity, structure, and confidence to every plan we serve. With over two decades of hands-on experience guiding both private and public sector organizations, Caristone offers the expertise of major consulting firms with the personalized attention of a boutique practice.

Founded by Carissa Dunaway, a nationally respected retirement and benefits professional, Caristone Consulting helps clients strengthen plan operations, governance, and audit readiness.

Carissa’s career has spanned leadership roles in retirement consulting, plan administration, and governance for both plan sponsors and advisory firms. Her depth of experience includes defined benefit, defined contribution, deferred compensation, endowment, and health & welfare plans. She has successfully guided clients through Department of Labor and IRS audits, built effective fiduciary frameworks, and designed governance structures that stand the test of time.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Carissa holds the Certified Plan Sponsor Professional (CPSP) designation and serves as President of the East Tennessee Compensation and Benefits Association. Her approach combines technical expertise with a genuine commitment to independence, transparency, and fiduciary excellence.

At Caristone Consulting, our mission is simple:

To help organizations operate retirement and benefit plans with integrity, compliance, and confidence—so every participant’s future remains secure.