Donna Gutman, Executive Director & Founder

 Women of the World

Donna Gutman learned early on from her mother the art of relationship networking and the value of always putting the other person first. These were skills that have served her throughout her professional career.  Donna partnered with her mother for some 15 years in the entrepreneurial Rozelle Gifts, a successful business initially based in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood that later expanded to larger quarters in suburban Skokie. There, she mastered all aspects of running a small business – client relations, marketing and sales, people management, planning, negotiations, trade show etiquette, purchasing and more - and eventually took over the business.

Later, as sales, marketing & event producer for an upscale Chicago area catering company, Donna joined six Chambers of Commerce to expand her professional network. An appreciation for the possibilities of organizational involvement began to resonate. As an Executive Board member of the Deerfield Bannockburn Riverwoods Chamber of Commerce, Donna developed strategies to foster increased visibility through bimonthly networking meetings, resulting in a doubling of attendance and accelerated opportunities for members to grow their businesses. Taking on the role of membership chair, she spearheaded a 25% growth in membership within one year. 

In 2004, Donna brought her network to the Chicagoland Chamber as Membership Investment Manager.  Primarily focused on membership development, her work resulted in robust new member growth. Donna gained special satisfaction from helping women in business forge strategic relationships. Her personal vision for the women’s business community involves women helping women globally by using collective power. In 2008, Donna created Women of the World, encouraged by the Hon. Neil Hartigan, Chairman and CEO of the World Trade Center Illinois. His strong belief in the power and potential of women as leaders was a call to action: provide opportunities for professional women through collaboration, networking and education. We can effect change if we act locally and think globally.   Success begins with a simple sentence “How can I help you?”

Donna devotes significant time and energy to professional and community service activities. In her spare time, she is writing a non-fiction book “From Bras to Spas – How Women Support & Inspire Each Other”.  She currently serves on the National Board Member of National Council Jewish Women (NCJW) chairing the Women to Women Empowerment Initiative in Israel. She was recently chosen as an honoree at the Biz-Overmthat recognizes a select group of unique, successful and style savvy professional women with an equally firm commitment to their respective communities. In Feb. 2009 Donna received the Annual Entrepreneurial Achievement Award from the Network of Women Entrepreneurs at the East Bank Club.