During her distinguished career, Ruth most recently served as the System Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer at New Mexico State University (NMSU). Her leadership centered on system-wide strategy, operational excellence, and continuous improvement, all while fostering a culture of accountability, service, and trust. Over her nearly four-year tenure, Ruth oversaw vital areas, including Finance & Business Services, Facilities & Services, Enterprise Risk Management & Safety, Human Resource Services, Information & Communication Technologies, Government & Community Relations, and Marketing & Communications.

Prior to this, Ruth held the role of Vice Chancellor for Planning & Administration at the University of Washington (UW) Bothell. There, she provided skilled leadership across administrative, financial, facilities, IT, and human resource operations. Notably, she led the development of a pioneering hybrid budget model based on responsibility-centered management principles. Her influence extended to the main UW campus, where she held the position of Associate Vice President/Provost for numerous years. Her wide-ranging leadership roles spanned Human Resources, Financial Management, Planning & Administration, School of Nursing, Organizational Excellence, UW Extension, and Housing & Food Services.

Ruth's profound impact is also evident in her pioneering work in sustainability. In 2008, she established the University of Washington's Sustainability Office and masterminded the development of the UW's Climate Action Plan. Her visionary approach extended to tri-campus sustainability policy implementation, district energy, curriculum sustainability, and server centralization. These efforts earned global recognition for sustainability excellence in higher education. Her legacy continues to guide other institutions seeking to integrate sustainability across operations and stakeholder engagement.

Ruth's educational journey is marked by a doctorate in organizational development and higher education, a master's degree in human relations, and a bachelor's in counseling psychology/social sciences. Her commitment to ongoing growth was evident in her completion of the Leadership New Mexico program, which provides executive leaders with insights into the workings of the State.

As a respected leader, Ruth served as Past President of the Western Association of College & University Business Officers' board of directors and has actively contributed to the National Association of College & University Business Officers' board. Ruth is an esteemed educator, offering various classes and workshops, and a sought-after consultant for higher education institutions, associations, and governmental agencies.