Ruth Rathblott is an expert on inclusion and diversity. She is a TEDx and inspirational speaker, bestselling author, and an award-winning former nonprofit leader. She was born with a limb difference and speaks with leaders on issues of equity and belonging, the gifts of being unique, and the freedom of accepting your differences. Ruth was profiled as a CEO in The New York Times’ Corner Office and received Goucher College’s Excellence in Public Service Award, among other awards, for her outstanding leadership in the nonprofit sector. She has spent her entire career focused on providing opportunities for those who have been underrepresented. She serves as a board member of The Lucky Fin Project.
Ruth Rathblott is a leader who has spent her entire career focused on providing opportunities for those who face obstacles. Ruth has been a leader and public speaker for over 25 years, 15 of which she spent at Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City where she played a central role in its expansion. There she held a series of progressively responsible positions, ultimately serving as the Associate Executive Director. It was at that organization that she fostered a deep appreciation for inclusion as far as education and opportunity, which successfully propelled the students to greater achievement.
Ruth holds a BA from Goucher College and an MSW from Boston University. She was honored to be the youngest alum ever awarded the Goucher College Excellence in Public Service Award.
As the CEO of the Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF) for over eight years, a NYC-based college access and success program for underserved youth, she aligned with the HEAF vision of providing a continuum of educational, development, leadership and personal resilience opportunities.
As companies and people, we tend to adopt and foster the mentality that there is a norm. A certain way we are supposed to show up in the world and in our companies, and in our market. And if we don’t, as individuals, fit that norm, then we often work really hard to cover it up – to blend – to overcompensate.
But covering it up turns a crack into a canyon. We assume that our “disability” is something that shouldn’t fit when in truth, it’s actually something that brings value. And we end up hiding what would actually allow us to serve our teams and customers and markets at the highest level. And when we learn to truly diversify our teams, we realize that most of us are hiding something. Come listen to one woman’s journey out of hiding — her unhiding and how it allowed her to become a stronger leader and a more engaged employee.
Today we change the conversation and stop just checking the box on diversity and inclusion to create something that makes our teams and our brand, and its leaders more engaged, productive, and innovative than ever before.
“Ruth’s talk to our employees during Viacom’s Inaugural Inclusion Week was wonderful and inspiring; it hit all marks just as we hoped. Her story resonated with our employees, and I hope she continues to share her story with other corporations who value diversity and inclusion and inspire us all to accept our differences and live our authentic selves. I look forward to staying connected to Ruth as we continue to explore disability inclusion here at Viacom.”
“I was very inspired by Ruth and her life story! She has excelled as the CEO of a education nonprofit. Even harder, she has conquered her shame and life obstacle of hiding her limb difference. We were grateful to have her speak at the agency and share her personal journey of difference. She received rave reviews, and it was so important for our teams to be exposed to all different kinds of people and experiences.”
“Ruth is one of the best. She shared her personal experiences and followed those stories with easily digestible lessons. Ruth engaged the audience and was excellent answering difficult on the spot questions. I was very impressed and inspired by Ruth. I look forward to keeping in contact and collaborating with her in the future.”
