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Laura Gutierrez

Executive Director, United Community Center

About

Mission-focused bilingual leader with passion for organizational and employee success. Highly-skilled executive with a proven track record in developing innovative programs and strategic partnerships that drive operational effectiveness, accountability and increase community visibility. Driven to provide a stimulating, nurturing and safe environment dedicated to achieving excellence.

                                                                

Board Profile

Senior level effective executive leader, with a demonstrated history of working in government administration with accountability of 100M budget. Strong track record of running successful organizations both in the public and private sector. Skilled in nonprofit organizations, with significant experience in strategic decision-making, succession planning, budgeting, leadership development, management,operations, and public speaking.                                                                                                                             

Board Experience

                        

The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread Board  – Board Trustee, Finance & Investment committee, Executive committee

 Waukesha State Bank –  Board Trustee, Audit Committee

State Of Wisconsin – Member for Governor Scott Walker’s Task Force on Opioid Abuse

Wisconsin Association Of Independent Colleges And Universities –  Chair representative of the Distance Learning Authorization Board as part of the Education Approval Board

Archdioceses of Milwaukee –  Steering Committee for Development & Recruitment

Ms. Gutierrez also interacted with 100 professional boards, councils, and advisory committees with varying responsibilities and oversight.

 

                                                                                                                            

Professional Summary

                       

Ms. Gutierrez  is currently the Executive Director of the United Community Center.   She provides leadership in a wide array of strategic, academic,  budgetary planning and decision-making to ensure funds are properly allocated to resources needed in the community and financial goals are being met.

Ms. Gutierrez is successfully  leading UCC’s largest fundraising capital campaign of 12 million dollars  for current building project. She is overseeing all functions of construction, operations, planning, and decision-making in regards to this project.

Previously Ms. Gutierrez managed all aspects of The Department of Safety and Professional Services; directly leading and supporting 250 employee, 12 appointed staff, and four in  state offices with a biennial budget of 100 million dollars.

Ms. Gutierrez also navigated the State of Wisconsin Joint Committee on Finance and secured a $4.4 million I.T. project to address aging and antiquated systems for DSPS.

                                                                                                                            

Recognition & Awards

                        

May 2018 – Rasmussen College Inspirational Speaker

July 2021 – Milwaukee Business Journal’s “Women of Influence” award

November 2021 –  The Biz Journal’s Milwaukee-area Power Brokers” list

May 2022 – Carroll University – College of Arts & Sciences “Distinguished Alumni Award” for Professional Achievement

June 2022 – Marquette University – College of Education “Alumni National Award” recipient

 

                                                                                                                            

Personal

My career has been shaped by a broad array of opportunities and experiences in the private and public sector. I have been married to my husband George, a senior software engineer for 25 years and we have four beautiful children. Educational background: Bachelor of Science in 1995; Masters of Arts, Leadership and policy in 2001. Licenses & Certifications in District Administration, Childhood Care Administrator; Education, Principal, Director of Instruction & Curriculum, and a Teaching license.                     

Additional Info

Skills : Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Foreign Language, Human Resources

P&L Responsibility : $50-100M

Leadership on Board : Committee Member

Level of Experience : CEO

Company Revenue : $50M to $250M

Industry : Government Politics, Healthcare/Pharma/Med Devices, Non-for-Profit/Education

Committees : Executive, Finance, Nominating & Governance

Board Experience : Private, Non-for-Profit, Advisory

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