Chris Guinchigliani was born November 27, 1954 in Chicago, Illinois. In 1978, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and began teaching at the Clark County School District. She involved herself first in the teachers’ union; eventually serving as president of the Nevada State Education Association from 1987 to 1991. Guinchigliani and her Husband Gary Gray are longtime residents of the John S. Park Neighborhood and she was among those who originated the idea of getting a historical designation for the community.