CYNTHIA M. RUIZ
CEO Cynthia M Ruiz & Associates
“The best advice I would give to myself is, stand in your power and speak your truth. Everyone has their own journey. Keep moving forward on your path. It will get easier. You are never alone because you stand on the strength of your ancestors. Use your challenges as lessons and know you are worthy of greatness.”
Cynthia M. Ruiz – Lion Mother (Cherokee Name) is a Professor, Best selling Author, Commissioner, Leadership expert and an Executive Coach.
Receiving over 78 accolades and awards for her leadership and service to the community. She currently serves as the President of the LA City multibillion-dollar pension fund.
She was named a Latina Influencer by Hispanic Lifestyle Magazine.
In 2019 she received the Cherokee National Community Leadership Award.She has received the prestigious Hollywood Chamber “Women of Distinction Award, the HOPE “Ray of Hope” award and the Weingart, “Women Building LA Award. She was awarded the “President’s Award for Outstanding Professor in the Business School at UWLA in 2017. Twice the California Apparel News has listed her on their renowned List of Influential People and LA Weekly showcased her in their people edition.
Cynthia holds a Masters of Science Degree in Counseling and has completed a Leadership Course at Harvard University, John F Kennedy School of Government.
Coming from blended cultures (Latina and Native American), she enjoys a passion for life and an appreciation of the gifts of Mother Nature.
As a Leadership Expert and a Latina Influencer her passion is teaching others to rise to their power. Her Cherokee values have inspired her to share lessons she has learned from her ancestors.
Cynthia has over twenty years of experience teaching and public speaking. She is the author of “Finding Sane Relationships in a Crazy World” (English & Spanish) a self-help book and “Cherokee Wisdom- 12 Lessons for becoming a Powerful Leader”. She appeared in Discover the Gift (movie/book) with such notables as Holiness the Dalai Lama, Michael Bernard Beckwith, Jack Canfield and many more.
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 oversight of 5,000 employees and a billion dollar per year budget. She has worked as an Executive at the number one container Port in the US and has successfully run her own business.
Cynthia knows the importance of giving back and always strives to stay humble. As a Latina she has a passion for women empowerment.
She lives in Los Angeles where she enjoys the diversity of a metropolitan city.