Dr. Gouri is an economist with vast and diversified experience in academic and administration. A doctorate in economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University, her career initially was in academics starting at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, (Delhi University), later at the Institute of Public Enterprises, and thereafter at Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) before shifting to Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission as Director (Tariffs).

She has authored several books and articles which include among books "Pricing for Welfare; Petroleum Products in India"; "Privatization and Public Enterprise: The Asia-Pacific Experience"; "Efficiency through Competition in Public Utilities - Policies for Restructuring"; "Towards Equity: New Economic Policy and Equity" with several articles in major academic journals on power sector reforms, public enterprise restructuring, privatization; and risk management in infrastructure projects. Dr. Gouri has been a visiting scholar at London Business School and a resource person in seminars in India and abroad, in the areas of power sector reforms and privatization.