Executive Director Peer Group Dialogue: Large Organizations

Executive Director
Ballet Austin
Ms. Ruiz has more than 25 years experience in the areas of strategic planning, program development and non-profit fund-raising/management, which includes work with the United Way and the American Red Cross. In 2002 she was awarded the professional designation of Certified Fund Raising Executive (C.F.R.E.) by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Her community honors include Austin Business Journal’s “Profiles in Power” award, Austin Community Foundation’s Beverly S. Sheffield Award/Excellence as Nonprofit Executive, The American Red Cross “Clara Barton Medal of Honor,” Volunteer of the Year for the Austin Independent School District, the Lone Star Girl Scout Council “Women of Distinction” award, and is a former President of The Junior League of Austin. Ms. Ruiz is currently the national Chair of the Board of Trustees of Dance/USA, the Chair of the “Create Austin” cultural planning process, and is a member of the national Board of Directors of the Performing Arts Alliance (Washington, D.C.), the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Board of Directors of Texans for the Arts, the Board of Directors of GENAustin, the Board of Directors of Con Mi Madre, the Community Advisory Board of KMFA, and a Community Advisor to the Young Women’s Alliance (YWA). In 1996 Ms. Ruiz joined the staff of Ballet Austin as development director, became general manager in 1997 and executive director in 1999.