Consultant Spotlight: Ruth – From Trading Floors to Community Impact

Astawa Alam
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February 11, 2025
Consultant Spotlight: Ruth – From Trading Floors to Community Impact

Where Wall Street Meets Main Street

In the heart of New York City, where the pulse of global finance beats strongest, Ruth's story began not in towering office buildings, but on the electrifying floor of the New York Commodities Exchange. It was here, amidst the controlled chaos of trading, that she would lay the foundation for a career marked by adaptability, determination, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference.

The Early Chapters

As a native New Yorker, Ruth's educational journey at St. John's University, where she studied Communications and Business Management, was just the beginning. The real education started on that trading floor, where split-second decisions and high-stakes interactions became daily lessons in resilience.

"It was a crazy, exciting environment, and I learned so much in those early days," Ruth recalls, her eyes lighting up at the memory. Those lessons would prove invaluable as she moved to Oppenheimer (now CIBC Oppenheimer), where the trading desk became her new classroom in client management and operations.

The American Express Years

American Express marked the next significant chapter in Ruth's story, where she would spend 15 years crafting her expertise in client management and marketing. "American Express gave me the opportunity to combine my passion for client relationships with strategic marketing initiatives," Ruth shares. It was here that she discovered her talent for building lasting client relationships while driving strategic marketing initiatives.

A Bold Choice: Family First

In a world that often demands choosing between career and family, Ruth made a decisive move: she stepped away from her thriving career to focus on raising her daughter. "Taking those five years to be a stay-at-home mom was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life," Ruth reflects. It was a decision that would later prove to be not an ending, but a powerful new beginning.

The Consulting Renaissance

When the time came to return to the professional world, Ruth found her path through Blend, a name she knew well from its early days as Consultants 2 Go. "I knew people from American Express who had transitioned to Blend, and they spoke highly of the company," she explains. The transition wasn't just about returning to work—it was about reinvention.

Her journey with Blend began in marketing execution, a role that pushed her analytical capabilities in new directions. With characteristic candor, Ruth notes, "While the role wasn't a perfect fit for me, the experience reinforced the flexibility of consulting. I was able to have honest conversations with my team and transition into a role that truly aligned with my expertise."

Making an Impact at Citi

Today, Ruth brings her wealth of experience to Citi Retail Services, where she has spent three years excelling in client management and compliance operations. Her role combines the strategic insight gained at American Express with fresh challenges in the evolving financial services landscape.

"Working closely with MasterCard and managing Citi's co-branded products has been incredibly rewarding," she shares. "I'm particularly inspired by Citi's global presence and its commitment to making a difference. Having a woman as CEO is empowering, and the company's dedication to community impact through philanthropic efforts is truly admirable."

The Power of Connection

For Ruth, success in consulting isn't just about technical expertise—it's about building meaningful relationships and creating positive change. "I work with amazing colleagues who bring unique perspectives to the table. It's a constant learning environment," she explains. The collaborative culture at Citi has become a cornerstone of her experience, where she feels "valued as a team member."

Wisdom for the Journey

When asked what advice she'd give to aspiring consultants, Ruth's response reflects her thoughtful approach to career development: "Be open to learning, take on challenges, and don't be afraid to pivot if something doesn't feel right." She particularly emphasizes the importance of work-life balance, speaking from her experience as a working parent.

Looking Forward

As Ruth charts her course forward, her vision extends beyond personal achievement. She's passionate about inspiring the next generation, particularly young women in her community, to consider careers in financial services. "Representation matters," Ruth emphasizes. "I want to show them that they can excel and make a difference in this industry."

From the trading floor to the boardroom, from career peaks to family focus and back again, Ruth's journey embodies the power of authenticity, adaptability, and purposeful action. Her story reminds us that a career path doesn't have to be linear to be successful—sometimes the most meaningful journeys are those that make room for life's most important moments.

Where Wall Street Meets Main Street

In the heart of New York City, where the pulse of global finance beats strongest, Ruth's story began not in towering office buildings, but on the electrifying floor of the New York Commodities Exchange. It was here, amidst the controlled chaos of trading, that she would lay the foundation for a career marked by adaptability, determination, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference.

The Early Chapters

As a native New Yorker, Ruth's educational journey at St. John's University, where she studied Communications and Business Management, was just the beginning. The real education started on that trading floor, where split-second decisions and high-stakes interactions became daily lessons in resilience.

"It was a crazy, exciting environment, and I learned so much in those early days," Ruth recalls, her eyes lighting up at the memory. Those lessons would prove invaluable as she moved to Oppenheimer (now CIBC Oppenheimer), where the trading desk became her new classroom in client management and operations.

The American Express Years

American Express marked the next significant chapter in Ruth's story, where she would spend 15 years crafting her expertise in client management and marketing. "American Express gave me the opportunity to combine my passion for client relationships with strategic marketing initiatives," Ruth shares. It was here that she discovered her talent for building lasting client relationships while driving strategic marketing initiatives.

A Bold Choice: Family First

In a world that often demands choosing between career and family, Ruth made a decisive move: she stepped away from her thriving career to focus on raising her daughter. "Taking those five years to be a stay-at-home mom was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life," Ruth reflects. It was a decision that would later prove to be not an ending, but a powerful new beginning.

The Consulting Renaissance

When the time came to return to the professional world, Ruth found her path through Blend, a name she knew well from its early days as Consultants 2 Go. "I knew people from American Express who had transitioned to Blend, and they spoke highly of the company," she explains. The transition wasn't just about returning to work—it was about reinvention.

Her journey with Blend began in marketing execution, a role that pushed her analytical capabilities in new directions. With characteristic candor, Ruth notes, "While the role wasn't a perfect fit for me, the experience reinforced the flexibility of consulting. I was able to have honest conversations with my team and transition into a role that truly aligned with my expertise."

Making an Impact at Citi

Today, Ruth brings her wealth of experience to Citi Retail Services, where she has spent three years excelling in client management and compliance operations. Her role combines the strategic insight gained at American Express with fresh challenges in the evolving financial services landscape.

"Working closely with MasterCard and managing Citi's co-branded products has been incredibly rewarding," she shares. "I'm particularly inspired by Citi's global presence and its commitment to making a difference. Having a woman as CEO is empowering, and the company's dedication to community impact through philanthropic efforts is truly admirable."

The Power of Connection

For Ruth, success in consulting isn't just about technical expertise—it's about building meaningful relationships and creating positive change. "I work with amazing colleagues who bring unique perspectives to the table. It's a constant learning environment," she explains. The collaborative culture at Citi has become a cornerstone of her experience, where she feels "valued as a team member."

Wisdom for the Journey

When asked what advice she'd give to aspiring consultants, Ruth's response reflects her thoughtful approach to career development: "Be open to learning, take on challenges, and don't be afraid to pivot if something doesn't feel right." She particularly emphasizes the importance of work-life balance, speaking from her experience as a working parent.

Looking Forward

As Ruth charts her course forward, her vision extends beyond personal achievement. She's passionate about inspiring the next generation, particularly young women in her community, to consider careers in financial services. "Representation matters," Ruth emphasizes. "I want to show them that they can excel and make a difference in this industry."

From the trading floor to the boardroom, from career peaks to family focus and back again, Ruth's journey embodies the power of authenticity, adaptability, and purposeful action. Her story reminds us that a career path doesn't have to be linear to be successful—sometimes the most meaningful journeys are those that make room for life's most important moments.

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