Renee Gugel began her career in education as a high school English and Theatre teacher. She went on to serve as Dean of Students, Department Chair, and Associate Principal in districts in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. She has also served as a school board member in Antioch, Illinois, and as an Adjunct Instructor at McHenry County College. Dr. Gugel holds an Ed.D. from Concordia University, as well as master's degrees in Educational Leadership, English, and Secondary Education from Northeastern Illinois University and Northern Illinois University.

She is currently an Associate Professor and Teacher Leadership Program Chair at National Louis University in Chicago, where she oversees the Coaching and Mentoring Certificate, the Teacher Leadership Endorsement, and the M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership. Dr. Gugel is passionate about teacher leadership, instructional coaching, and shared leadership, and is dedicated to preparing educators to lead collaboratively within their schools.