Inspired By Gratitude, Kevin ’89 and Amy Gunn Give Back Through Life Insurance
Kevin Gunn ’89 is fearlessly inquisitive. He knows what questions to ask and how to ask them. A leading expert in utility regulatory affairs, he has thrived throughout his career with a thirst to think strategically and continually learn more—a skillset he developed in high school.
“At SLUH, I learned how to learn,” says Gunn, who served as STUCO Vice President and was involved in theater. “I was surrounded by incredible teachers who modeled intellectual curiosity and challenged us to ask difficult questions.”
After graduation, Gunn earned his B.A. in political science from American University and his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law. He launched his legal career in private practice until his desire for public service led him to work for Rep. Dick Gephardt (2003-2005), eventually becoming Chief of Staff and serving on the Missouri Public Service Commission (2008-2013).
An Eisenhower Fellowship recipient, he traveled to Australia in 2009 to study energy and economic development, carbon pollution reduction schemes, renewable energy targets and carbon capture and sequestration. That same year, he was appointed to the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Board of Directors. Today, Gunn is Principal of Paladin Energy Strategies, helping clients navigate the increasingly complex world of utility regulations.
Reflecting on his career, Gunn feels deep sense of gratitude to his alma mater. He and his wife, Amy, recently added SLUH to their estate plans to pay it forward. “I’m so grateful for all SLUH has done for me in building my foundation both personally and professionally,” he says.
Amy, originally from Kentucky, met Kevin during law school at SLU. A trial attorney for The Simon Law Firm, she and Kevin have two boys, Connor, a junior at SLUH, and Nathan, an eighth-grader.
“Being from outside St. Louis, I’ve come to learn that all the great things I’d heard about SLUH are true,” she says. “The school community is amazing. From the strong academic environment and Jesuit mission to develop ‘men for others,’ I couldn’t think of a better place to send our boys.”
The couple decided to leverage their support to SLUH by writing a life insurance policy in which they named SLUH as owner and sole beneficiary. The Gunns contribute the cost of the premium annually to SLUH and receive a tax deduction (as applicable by law), and SLUH pays the premiums. Life insurance allows them to continue donating on an annual basis while giving exponentially in the future.
“We feel blessed to be able to give back in this way,” Kevin Gunn says.
Like the Gunns, you can include a gift in your estate plan to show your gratitude to SLUH. Contact Linda Domeyer at ldomeyer@sluh.org or (314) 269-2113 to learn about your giving options.