RESUME

Ruth M. Williams 2074 Calle Contento

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505 (505) 438-3469 (home) │(505) 577-6798 (cell)

rwill114@kent.edu @RuthWilliams11

Summary

An innovative public policy and public relations professional. Extensive experience in working with state, community and charitable organizations, media groups and volunteers. Key strengths include planning and implementing legislative, marketing, public relations and fundraising strategies, media relations, producing public service campaigns and writing, editing and producing publications.

Professional Experience

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, INC., ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO November 2011 – YDI is a nationally recognized youth service organization that provides educational, developmental and humanitarian assistance to children, youth and families in central and northern New Mexico. YDI-Elev8, a full-service community schools approach, is funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies to ensure that on-site health care, extended learning and comprehensive supports are available in schools to help students reach their full potential. A national initiative, Elev8 sites are in New Mexico, Baltimore, Chicago and Oakland. Public Policy Director November 2011 -

Leads public policy planning and activities focused on health access and improved school climate.

Develops YDI-Elev8 public policy agenda, including establishing YDI-Elev8 as an anti-poverty initiative.

Conducts state and federal policy analysis and research, particularly regarding poverty and equity.

Developed and implements “Elev8ing Kids, Elev8ing Lives” communications plan, including social media outreach.

Wrote and led legislative effort to pass the 2013 Community Schools Act.

Secured NM Department of Health grant to maintain YDI school-based health centers.

Sought legislative support for adolescent behavioral health and to make school-based health centers preferred providers.

Supported expansion of Medicaid to adults under the Affordable Care Act.

Writes YDI-Elev8 New Mexico blog at http://elev8ingnm.blogspot.com/.

Editor of YDI-Elev8 eBlast, distributed to 1,000+ contacts, and 2016 YDI-Elev8 View Book. NEW MEXICO PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO April 2000 – November 2011 The New Mexico Public Education Department oversees all schools in the state’s 89 public school districts, serving nearly 324,000 children in New Mexico. The Department seeks to advance and achieve excellence in public education in the state.

Staff Manager July 2011-November 2011

Key liaison from the Department to the New Mexico Legislature's Legislative Education Study Committee and Legislative Finance Committee, in addition to other interim legislative committees.

Legislative and Community Relations Bureau Manager 2004 – July 2011

Directed the work of the three-member Legislative and Community Relations Bureau focused on advancing the legislative priorities of the Governor and Secretary of Education and assessed factors for legislative success.

Served as an immediate resource to the Department's senior leadership, developing effective legislative plans and strategies.

Key liaison from the Department to the New Mexico interim committees. Provided quality information in support of public education. Built relationships through effective public relations. Managed 500 legislative requests from analysts each year.

Managed the Department's effort to provide legislators with thorough bill analyses on pending legislation.

Ruth Williams’ Resume Page 2

Public Outreach Unit Director 2001- 2004

Provided support, innovative solutions and public relations expertise to the Secretary of Education and the Department.

Proactive resource to internal and external audiences and worked to advance quality communications and relationships.

Promoted public understanding of the Department's vision, mission, goals, policies and programs.

Served as the Department's official spokesperson and proactively managed around 700 media inquiries yearly. Liaison Officer 2000 - 2001

Promoted public education and understanding of state education policies, goals, programs and expenditures.

Interacted with the media on a daily basis, serving as the intermediary between the media and the Department. Composed quality news releases for the media, suggested story ideas and conducted news conferences.

NEW MEXICO STATE AGENCY ON AGING, SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO 1999 - 2000 The Aging & Long-Term Services Department, part of the Aging Network, promotes the independence and dignity of elders. Liaison Officer/Acting Project Manager

Fulfilled the duties of the project manager for the New Mexico Health Care Fraud Project, including recruiting and training volunteers from Albuquerque and Santa Fe to educate seniors on how to avoid Medicare/Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse.

Launched an intergenerational project in Rio Arriba County to involve senior volunteers in increasing enrollments into New Mexikids, providing Medicaid health insurance coverage to children.

RIO GRANDE SCHOOL, SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO 1996 - 1999 A private school providing more than 100 students in K-6 with an educational curriculum of integrated arts. Development Director

Created a fundraising strategy for the school’s annual fund drives, including implementing the school’s first-ever giving clubs and major donor appeal, beginning with the 1997/98 drive.

Exceeded the fundraising goals for Rio Grande School’s 1998/99, 1997/98 and 1996/97 annual fund drives by 23 percent (1998/99), 20 percent (1997/98) and 34 percent (1996/97). The 1998/99 fund drive included a successful, joint appeal to complete fundraising for phase two (more than $200,000) of the school’s building program.

THE HOSPICE CENTER, SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO 1993 - 1997 Providing high-quality hospice care to parts of five counties in northcentral New Mexico. Public Relations and Education Specialist

Created The Hospice Center’s first-ever marketing and promotional plan targeted to 21 vital market audiences.

Administered The Hospice Center’s annual fundraising initiatives, including serving as staff liaison to the Fundraising Committee, researching and writing grants and overseeing and implementing special fundraising events.

Served as liaison to nonprofit organizations serving Santa Fe’s AIDS population.

Served as media liaison and editor of a statewide newsletter reaching 10,000 persons. UNITED WAY OF SANTA FE COUNTY, SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO 1993 A charitable organization which raised funding for social service agencies in northcentral New Mexico. Associate Director

Focused on the federated fund drives in Santa Fe County within state and federal government offices.

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UNITED WAY OF PULASKI COUNTY, LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 1989 - 1992 A charitable organization which raised more than $5 million annually for 43 social service agencies in central Arkansas. Vice President of Communications

Developed a communications program and promotional strategy with an area advertising agency to position the United Way as a community problem-solver. The 1990 fund-raising campaign was judged among the country’s’ and state’s best.

Organized special events including rallies, fairs, celebrations and an annual media workshop for nonprofit communicators. ARKANSAS BAR ASSOCIATION, LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 1983 - 1989 A professional organization of lawyers, judges and law students from throughout Arkansas. Communications and Public Relations

Implemented a communications and public relations program directed primarily to the state’s legal community.

Served as editor for The Arkansas Lawyer, the NewsBulletin and the Legislative Summary.

Coordinated the “Media Law Seminar” to educate the statewide media on legal issues and freedom of information concerns.

Originated a “Bar Leaders Seminar” and produced the Local Bar Connection for improved relations with local bar associations. ARKANSAS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS 1980 - 1983 A professional organization of librarians from throughout Arkansas. Executive Director

Recommended policies and procedures to the executive board, maintained effective public relations and provided fiscally responsible management.

Freelance and Other Positions

Coordination, 1999 New Mexico Conference on Aging, Glorietta, New Mexico

Liaison Officer for 1999 “Voices of Wisdom,” New Mexico State Agency on Aging, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Publicist, 1996 Spanish Market, Spanish Colonial Arts Society Santa Fe, New Mexico

Promotion of 1993 “Taste of Santa Fe” to benefit Open Hands, Inc.

Varied Public Relations Support, 1993, Carpenters & Associates, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Community Service

Hope House, Santa Fe, New Mexico o Member, Board of Directors, 1995-1999: Chair, Marketing Committee and Board Secretary

Co-Team Leader, Capital Fund Drive, 1998, United Church of Santa Fe, Santa Fe, New Mexico

1995 & 1996 Media Coordinator, The NAMES Project, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Member, Stars for Life Committee, 1995, Santa Fe Cares, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Education B.A. in Journalism, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 1979 M.A. in Journalism and Communication—Public Relations, Kent State University, 2013 3.97 GPA

References Upon request