Meet Cynthia M. Ruiz | Author, Professor, Leadership Expert and Executive Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cynthia M. Ruiz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cynthia M., Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
The most important values I have are integrity and gratitude. I strive to act with integrity in both my personal life, business and as a Professor. I interpret integrity and doing the right thing no matter what or what others think. I have learned a long time ago that leadership is not a popularity contest. Not everyone will be happy with the decision I make, however when I act from a place of integrity, I will also make the best decision for me.
Gratitude keeps my life in perspective and sets the tone of my day.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career has taken many twists and turn but I have had the determination to keep moving forward. I have been blessed that with education, hard work and opportunity I have had a successful career. I have been a trailblazer in many of my high level positions which came with a lot of responsibility.

I feel one of the key elements which sets me apart from other is I set my business model to include paying it forward. For example with my Executive Coaching business, 25% of my clients I work with for free. I work with younger people of color to provide them the same services I am charging my paying clients. For my free clients I give them the same service my other clients get which pay hundreds of dollars per hour.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love live music, good food and hiking. During the Summer in Los Angeles you can attend many free concerts at several venues. I also love the Hollywood bowl and the Greek Theatre.
There are so many restaurants to choose from but I really enjoy the views in DTLA at Perch or the InterContinental Los Angeles.
Many people don’t think of “hiking” when they think of Los Angeles. However Los Angeles has so many great spots including Griffith Park (Hollywood Sign), Echo Mountain in Pasadena and Los Liones Trail in Pacific Palisades. My go to website is Modern Hiker which list all of trails, gives a description with miles and how long it will take you to complete.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First let me say that I have faced many challenges in my life. I have learned to look at each challenge as a lesson. I want to give a shout out to many of the master teachers in the Self-Help arena, Don Miguel Ruiz, Louise Hay, Wayne Dyer, Jack Canfield and Michael Bernard Beckwith. I have read their books, listened to their podcasts and had the opportunity to meet them in person.

Website: www.CynthiaMRuiz.com

Instagram: @cynthiamruiz

Linkedin: Cynthia M Ruiz

Twitter: @CynthiaMRuiz

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

Yelp: Cynthia R

Youtube: Cynthia Ruiz

Image Credits
Felix Foto, Ty Washington