Tracy Gruber became the executive director of the Utah Department of Human Services in January 2021. In July 2022, she assumed the role of the first executive director of the Utah Department of Health and Human Services after overseeing the merger of two departments.

Before her appointment, Gruber was the director of the Office of Child Care at the Utah Department of Workforce Services and the senior advisor for Utah’s Intergenerational Poverty Initiative. Gruber is dedicated to collaborating with community stakeholders, providers, and staff to enhance the quality and efficiency of services for Utah’s individuals and families. Her work involves promoting programs and policies that yield measurable, positive results, aligning with the Department’s vision of fair and equitable opportunities for all Utahans to lead safe and healthy lives.

Prior to her government service, Gruber contributed to a children’s advocacy organization, directed Utah’s New Lawyer Training Program, led a public sector retiree organization, and worked as a budget analyst in the Illinois Senate.

In recognition of her contributions, Community Action Partnership of Utah honored her as the “Government Official of the Year” in 2017. Gruber actively participated as the chair of the National Association of State Child Care Administrators and represents Utah on the Education Commission of the States.

She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a law degree from the Chicago-Kent School of Law. Gruber resides in Salt Lake with her husband Andrew and their two young-adult children. They enjoy all types of outdoor activities