Part 1 of my interview with Cynthia M Ruiz.

Cynthia M. Ruiz is an Award-winning Professor, best-selling author, Personal Development Speaker, and Leadership Expert. Coming from blended cultures Latina and Native American (Mexican & Cherokee), she enjoys a passion for helping others.

Receiving over 75 accolades and awards for her leadership and service to the community.

Cynthia has decades of Executive-level Experience, including the past vice president of the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power Board (LADWP), overseeing the largest municipal Utility in the U.S. with a six-billion-dollar budget.

Previously she served seven years as President of LACERS (Los Angeles City Employee Retirement System), overseeing a multibillion-dollar pension fund.

Her career has placed her in many leadership roles, including President of the Board of Public Works for the City of Los Angeles, where she had direct oversight of 6,000 employees and just under a billion dollars per year budget. She has worked as an Executive at the Port of Los Angeles (the number one container Port in the U.S.) and successfully managed her own successful business for two decades.

She is the author of five books, including her most recent, "Sacred Ceremony & Ritual for Today's World; A how-to Guide." Plus, "Cherokee Wisdom- 12 Lessons for Becoming a Powerful Leader" (2 editions), "Finding Sane Relationships in a Crazy World" (English & Spanish), and "Yo Tambien- Stories of Healing & Hope" (English & Spanish).

She appeared in Discover the Gift (movie/book) with notables, including, His Holiness the Dala Lama, Michael Bernard Beckwith, Jack Canfield, and many more.

She received the Los Angeles Business Journal "2022 Mentor of the Year Award". Cherokee Nation named her Community Leader of the Year in 2019, and Hispanic Lifestyle called her a "2018 Latina of Influence". She has received the prestigious Hollywood Chamber "Women of Distinction Award, the HOPE "Ray of Hope" award, and the Weingart, "Women Building LA Award. Twice the California Apparel News has listed her on their renowned List of Influential People, and L.A. Weekly showcased her in their people addition.

As a Professor, she received the "Presidents Award" from the University of West Los Angeles for her work as an outstanding Professor. Cynthia teaches leadership at graduate and undergraduate levels in the School of Business. She has over twenty years of experience teaching and public speaking.

Cynthia holds a Master of Science Degree in Counseling from California State University Los Angeles and has completed a Leadership Course at Harvard University, John F Kennedy School of Government.

She has been a trailblazer throughout her career, as she was the first person in her family to attend college. She was the first Native American to serve on the LADWP Board and the first Latina/Native American to be President of the LACERS Board and Board of Public Works for the City of Los Angeles.

Cynthia knows the importance of giving back and always strives to stay humble. She has a passion for women's empowerment starting the Wise Latina Network and is a co-founder of the Yo Tambien Healing Movement.

She is a registered citizen of the Cherokee Nation and is a Chair of the Los Angeles Cherokee Nation affiliate. She has served on numerous non-profit Boards throughout her adult life.

She lives in Los Angeles, where she enjoys the diversity and culture of a metropolitan environment.

For more information, visit: www.CynthiaMRuiz.com

https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.ruiz.397

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiaruizaba2287/

https://www.instagram.com/cynthiamruiz/