By Chris Donato '14
Before hitting it big in corporate America, Kate Gutmann ’90 was hitting the books at Siena College. The former Marketing Management major credits Siena’s business program for her success.
Gutmann earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing Management and is now President of Worldwide Sales for the United Parcel Service (UPS). Gutmann has garnered national attention for her career accomplishments. Over the summer, she was profiled in Marie Claire Magazine.
For Gutmann, being successful is all about getting an early start. On a daily basis, that means connecting with various parts of the world before she has her first cup of coffee. “I started today on a call with Europe, then Asia, drove through Starbucks and began U.S. interactions all by 7:30 (a.m.),” Gutmann said.
From a career perspective, an early start meant beginning her work with UPS while she was still a Siena student. The College helped her secure an internship at the company and over the years she rose through the ranks at UPS to become a company leader. Gutmann said Siena College launched her career by giving her a strong academic base.
“The macro and micro economics classes gave me a foundation I have built upon,” Gutmann said. “Siena attracts people who want to focus on building a solid academic understanding and then are determined to contribute to business.”
One of Gutmann’s favorite, and most challenging, experiences was her senior project. “It was a lot of hard work and effort, but it really got me ready for the business world,” she said.
Gutmann remains in contact with her friends from Siena, and often connects with distinguished alumni in the business world, such as J. Crew Chief Administrative Officer James Scully ’87 and ModusLink Global Solutions President of Sales and Marketing Tom Nightingale ’90.
Since graduating in 1990, Gutmann returned to campus twice and witnessed notable physical changes, such as the construction of the J. Spencer and Patricia Standish Library and Sarazen Student Union. “I am amazed and proud of the changes that have occurred, but also of the same people and sense of community which seem to remain,” Gutmann said.
Gutmann has emerged as a leader in one of the world’s largest and most famous shipping and delivery companies, but her success at UPS would not have been possible without the opportunities and education Siena College delivered for her during her student experience.
