Mary Mitchell
Deputy Director at Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus Pine Council
Raquel is a phenomenal community and organizational leader, as well as a facilitator of change strategies that create growth. She understands the value of transparent, connected, and open conversations, as well as the validity of building relationships that carry the work to the next level. Raquel understands and practices what it means to lead from a space of equity. She leans into the space of collaborative and innovative leadership and engineers real data-driven solutions that matter and that lead to systemic change. If you are seeking to be a leader in your area of focus and change, I would highly recommend her as your partner in those efforts.
Glenda Monteroza, MPH
Program Manager at Blue Shield of California Foundation
Raquel is a true visionary that fights for a more just and liberated world centering community in all she does. Her vision matches her talents. She is an inclusive leader, strategic thinker, innovative program developer, and activator of community-driven solutions. She leads with her values. Her vast expertise in philanthropy, experience in the social sector, and knowledge of frameworks for change and racial equity, make her an amazing thought partner and change maker.
Nancy Grace
CEO at Graceful Fundraising
I am excited that my friend and colleague will be helping communities in Arizona and across the country with services through her firm, Blue Agave Partners. Leadership, continual learning, relationship-building and effective convening have always been needed, yet never more than in these demanding times full of external challenges and great inequities. Raquel’s new consulting practice is perfectly named: Agave means illustrious! While Dr. Gutierrez is quite humble and would not necessarily use this term to describe herself and her career thus far, her work is everything that is associated with this characteristic: well known, respected and admired. Having directly experienced working alongside, for and with Ms. Gutierrez, I can only say that her value will be substantial for any organization and individual looking to change the world for the better.