Karla L. Drenner is a professor in the Department of Public Administration at Purdue University Global. Her research focuses on women in public service, legislative studies, politics, and social equity issues. She is serving an 11th term in the Georgia House of Representatives and sits on five legislative
committees including Rules; Health and Human Services; Natural Resources and the Environment; Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications; and Small Business Development. She was elected as the first openly gay legislator in the Southeast and now shares firsthand knowledge of the legislative process and the importance of bridging the divide between those who have divergent viewpoints on issues.