Beatriz N. Gutierrez, raised in Medellín, Colombia, immigrated to the U.S. to pursue her engineering education.
As president and CEO of CONNSTEP, she oversees a team that works with manufacturers on growth, operational issues and technology adoption. Appointed in 2020, she brings more than 30 years of local and global leadership in business management, product development and marketing.
Previously, she served as executive director of business development at the state Department of Economic and Community Development. Gutierrez holds an MBA from Chicago Booth, an electrical engineering degree from Marquette, is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and a certified economic developer.
What have been your biggest professional accomplishments so far?
As a CEO, I am most proud to have guided CONNSTEP through the last year, a period of significant market and structural uncertainty, building a strong, resilient team, keeping a pulse on the organization, and advancing growth opportunities.
I’ve strengthened the organization’s mission, ensured relevance in a complex environment, and continued delivering unmatched service to our clients.
What’s the next big goal you want to accomplish professionally?
To continue building CONNSTEP as a strong, sustainable organization, positioned for long-term success and solidifying its role as the trusted advisor to Connecticut manufacturers — delivering the knowledge, resources and expertise they need, supported by a dedicated and diverse team committed to advancing the state’s manufacturing future.
What’s one of the biggest professional challenges you’ve overcome?
As a young mother of two, balancing career growth with parenting was a constant challenge. I often had to make difficult trade-offs between professional opportunities and family needs.
That experience taught me that balance evolves daily — and that staying grounded in your values helps guide priorities through every stage of life.
How are you involved in the community?
I proudly serve on the boards of the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, World Affairs Council of Connecticut and Connecticut Museum of Culture and History. Through this work, I stay connected to community needs while supporting economic opportunity, education and cultural preservation.