Gretchen Guess

Gretchen Guess, a born-and-raised Alaskan who gave back as an Alaska state legislator, school board member and health care executive, returned to the place of her roots in 2023 to take the helm of the Foundation as president and CEO.

Gretchen started her professional life working for the administration of then-Gov. Tony Knowles and for a telecom, Alaska Communications. She served terms in the Alaska House and Senate and also on the Anchorage School Board, including as president. When she won her Senate seat in 2002, she was the youngest woman in Alaska to attain the office. In the state Legislature and on the Anchorage School Board, Gretchen worked to bridge gaps between stakeholders. After retiring from the Legislature, Gretchen spent 15 years in health care management and leadership including six years in planning and development with Providence Alaska. She holds a bachelor’s in economics from Carleton College in Minnesota and a master’s in public policy analysis from the University of Rochester.

Gretchen was honored by the Alaska Journal of Commerce as a Top 40 under 40 and as board member of the year for Standing Together Against Rape, or STAR. She also served as a Johnson Fellow with the U.S.-Japan Foundation, as a Henry Toll Fellow with the Council of State Governments in 2005 and as a trustee with The Nature Conservancy – Alaska chapter.

Gretchen enjoys anything with her almost-grown children, basset hounds and friends. You often can find her on the pickleball court or skiing, biking, hiking or volunteering.

Her official start day at Rasmuson Foundation was Feb. 28, 2023.