Gretchen Burnett is an operations and research administration leader with 15+ years of progressive experience in higher education. She has expertise in staff structuring for established and newly formed departments, as well as in pre- and post-award administration, federal compliance, financial oversight, complex budget development, strategic planning, and team leadership. Prior to joining Vanderbilt University, she was at Northwestern University as the Business Administrator for the Computer Science department within the McCormick School of Engineering.
Before her higher education experience, she was an international purser for American Airlines, traveling mostly to Europe and South America, followed by a brief stint as a litigation paralegal. She is an equestrian and engages in a variety of crafts, including knitting, jewelry design, and other artistic endeavors.