Solving tough public policy problems is where Gretchen Gutman found meaning and purpose. So, it was not surprising that she found her way into the O’Neill School in the mid-1980s. Gutman felt energized by questioning the system and learning and growing with her fellow classmates.
That passion has served her in roles in state and local government, as well as in academia. She added a law degree from the IU McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis, became a partner in the law firm of Taft Stettinius & Hollister, and, for the past nine years, has been vice president of public policy at Cook Group.
She still relies on the lessons learned at the O’Neill School to be the foundation of her professional life.
“I knew that communication was critical to whatever career direction I was going to go,” Gutman said. “The O’Neill School had a strong component of that woven into its classes. It was an opportunity for me to learn how to solve tough public policy issues, and it taught me the analytical skills people need every single day. The training I received while at O’Neill has served me well. I was prepared to take advantage of opportunities.”
Gutman also looks forward to what current O’Neill students will accomplish.
“The O’Neill School is always finding the nooks and crannies for students in public policy,” Gutman said. “I think that it will continue to excel and be No. 1. I’m looking forward to watching that and being as supportive of that effort as I possibly can.”