Spotlight of the Month: Lynanne Gutierrez
In many policy conversations, young children are often talked about, but not always prioritized in ways that lead to real, sustained change. Lynanne Gutierrez has built her work around changing that reality. As President & CEO of Groundwork Ohio, she leads efforts across Ohio to ensure that early childhood, from the prenatal stage through age five, is treated as a serious policy priority, not an afterthought. Her work focuses on aligning research, policy, and community voices to create systems that actually support children and families.
A Leader Driving Systems Change
Gutierrez is an attorney and child advocate with a strong focus on systems change and public policy. Her leadership is not simply administrative, it is intentional and deeply rooted in how systems function and who they serve. For over seven years, she has played a key role in expanding Groundwork Ohio’s reach, strengthening its presence at the Statehouse, and building relationships that make policy change possible. One of her defining achievements was leading the organization through its transition into a standalone 501(c)(3) in 2021, positioning it for greater independence and long-term impact.
Championing Equity and Data-Driven Impact
A defining part of her work is addressing disparities that affect children and families across Ohio. Through her leadership in the Ohio Early Childhood Race and Rural Equity project, she continues to push for more equitable systems. She also led the development of the Groundwork Ohio Early Childhood Dashboard, which tracks more than 60 metrics across six domains. This tool does more than present data, it makes inequities visible and harder to ignore, while guiding more informed decision-making.
Advocacy That Shapes the Future
Gutierrez is also a strong voice for childcare stability and Medicaid expansion, consistently making the case that these are not optional supports, but essential structures for a stable workforce and a functioning economy. Her advocacy connects early childhood investment directly to broader economic and social outcomes, helping shift how these issues are understood at both state and national levels.
Centering Families as Experts
A consistent thread in her work is the belief that families should not be passive recipients of policy decisions. Instead, they should be recognized as experts in their own experiences. Through the statewide prenatal-to-three coalition, she has helped build stronger advocacy around the needs of pregnant women, infants, and toddlers, ensuring those voices are part of the policy conversation.
A Recognized Voice and Trusted Leader
Her work has earned recognition across Ohio and beyond. She was appointed by Mike DeWine to the state’s Early Childhood Advisory Council in 2019 and received the Children’s Champion Award from the Ohio Head Start Association in 2024. She also continues to contribute through board service, including her role as Vice Chair of the Ohio Victim Witness Association and as a board member of Communities In Schools of Ohio.
A Journey Rooted in Advocacy and Law
Before leading Groundwork Ohio, Gutierrez worked in private legal practice focusing on family and child law and served as a Senior Legislative Aide in the Ohio Senate. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from The Ohio State University and a Juris Doctorate from Capital Law School. She is also a graduate of the Leadership Ohio program, Class of 2023.
Beyond the Title
Lynanne lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband and their three children. Her personal life reflects the same grounding that shapes her work. She is an avid reader and an amateur quilter, often drawing parallels between quilting and systems work, where different pieces must come together intentionally to create something strong and lasting.
A Lasting Impact
Lynanne Gutierrez’s work is a reminder that meaningful change in early childhood does not happen by chance. It requires consistent advocacy, clear data, and leadership that is willing to challenge how systems currently operate.
