Angel Gutierrez

CHCI Public Policy Fellow Presented by API
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
School: Arizona State University
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Business Law, Public Policy & Public Service, and Global Politics
Placement: Office of Representative Rob Menendez

Angel Gutierrez (he/him) is a proud first-generation Mexican American, born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, by a single mom who never let his big dreams be squandered by being dealt cards that weren’t the most favorable. Growing up, he heard the phrase ponte las pilas meaning “put the batteries in” – this reminder rooted in love, pushed him to work harder. And work harder he did. Angel graduated from Arizona State University with three degrees: a B.A. in Business Law, a B.A. in Public Policy & Service, and a B.A. in Global Politics. He maintained a 4.0 GPA and was named the Outstanding Graduate for his major. During his four years at ASU, Angel served as an Early Outreach Scholar, volunteering with underserved Arizona schools to promote pathways to higher education, just as someone once did for him.

During his junior year, he also taught a class to 19 first-semester freshmen on how to navigate college. As a first-generation college student, he felt like an expert since he had to figure it out on his own. Additionally, Angel fostered professional development and community leadership as the Vice President of Membership for Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional co-ed business fraternity.

Outside of school, Angel’s professional experience includes state and local government. He interned as a Procurement Specialist at the Arizona Department of Administration, assisting on the operations and compliance teams, which sparked his passion for public policy. He then joined the County Supervisors Association of Arizona as a full-time Policy Analyst and Public Affairs Intern for a legislative session. In this role, he directly supported Arizona’s counties within the state legislature, contributing to the passage of bills that meaningfully enhanced local communities.

As a CHCI Public Policy Fellow, Angel aims to continue growing his knowledge in policy-making and the legislative process to deliver impactful results for his community. He remains dedicated to breaking down barriers, ensuring Latino representation, and confidently claiming space in rooms originally built without him in mind.