My Why
Ruth Bastanchury was born in a storm at sea on a boat that later took her father’s life. She was a secretary and a single mother until the Great Depression hit, and her work supported her entire family. Ruth Boeckerman earned the money to pay for college working in the classifieds at the Los Angeles Times. She got her PhD in Geology from the University of Michigan, educated community college students, and advocated for her coworkers as their union steward. She overcame unthinkable trauma to become a beacon to so many. Jackie Ruth Muir was the glue, the one who showed love by showing up. She worked way-too-long hours for way-too-little money to keep the lights on and her kids fed. She took care of every household responsibility on top of her job, and she took care of her mom until the end.
I am Jennifer Ruth Beuthin — a rebellious kid who turned first into an aggressive investigative journalist, then a leader in the California labor movement, and now a proud mom and founder of Ruth Co. Maya Ruth Beuthin is a superhero most days who flies high in her imaginary helicopter. She is 4, and she is going all the places.
When I became a mom, I tuned in to how it felt in my body when navigating a work world that wasn’t designed for women to bring their entire selves to the job. I decided achieving conventional success wasn’t enough. I didn’t want my daughter to watch me endure the opportunities made possible by all the mothers and grandmothers who came before us. I wanted her to see she can bring her full imagination, determination, skill and drive to the world and not betray herself and her needs at the same time. So I started Ruth Co. — not only for us — but to support all the other leaders who care so deeply about their work, their families, their purpose.
A people-centered career
As a labor union director, systems change consultant, leadership coach and strategic communicator, I have dedicated my life to improving the lives of others and our communities. My experience includes:
Change practitioner: As the youngest and first female chief executive for the largest public sector union in Orange County, California, I spearheaded systemic organizational changes that increased capacity and resources. Those efforts led to historic pay increases, greater influence and improved engagement among membership. Today, bringing my on-the-ground experience and continued education on systems change work — including through the School of Systems Change — I partner with leaders to envision and design transformational change in their worlds.
Facilitator: I have tested experience designing and facilitating gatherings that unlock capacity for growth and change, considering not only who is at the table, but how the setting, timing and material can reveal a group’s greatest potential. I have designed and led training programs for workers, elected officials and diverse boards of directors. I’ve lead contentious discussions to find values alignment with leaders who, on paper, have little in common. And I have unique experience facilitating public-facing conversations, such as a nationally-televised gathering of Disneyland hotel workers and Sen. Bernie Sanders. Additionally, I regularly host and facilitate dinners among strangers to explore issues that matter in our communities.
Leadership development coach: As a participant in the National Labor Leadership Initiative through Cornell University, I experienced firsthand how a coaching lifeline improved my life at home and at work, putting me in a better position to see a bigger strategic picture and execute initiatives that appeared impossible and also necessary. Now, as I develop an integral coaching certification, I partner with people who are leading change within and change in the world. Offering individually-tailored programming , my approach brings a developmental approach to a trusted thought partnership. Together, we examine values, judgement and whole-life landscapes to chart the way.
Strategic communicator: As an award-winning investigative journalist for the Orange County Journalist Register in Southern California, I developed a deep respect and understanding for trust, accuracy and precise communication as a foundation of any meaningful partnership. As a labor leader, I spent countless hours in face-to-face conversations and in focus groups, developing the deep listening skills needed to identify and move change. I served on statewide strategic messaging campaigns, wrote a bi-weekly column advancing the interests of working people, led political and informational communications efforts, and have appeared in print, radio, online, and television publications nationwide. I’ve delivered high-stakes speeches and developed them for leaders in high-stakes moments. I partner with leaders to design and integrate strategic communication designed to change systems and the hearts and minds within them.
Negotiator: As the chief spokesperson on behalf of more than 13,000 members during billion-dollar contract negotiations, I have experience finding creative ways to make a deal happen, engaging diverse constituencies, and identifying creative solutions by harnessing all the resources available. As a consulting partner, I help leaders identify ways to collaborate, find common ground and imagine solutions together.
Civic leader: As an executive, I led a 19-member board of directors with deeply diverse backgrounds toward a unified agenda. I currently serve as Trustee on the Traverse Area District Library Board and have served on multiple boards ranging from statewide labor, veterans advocacy and public policy. I also co-founded a children’s playgroup, Northern Michigan Climate Families, which connects kids with opportunities to practice stewardship of the planet through play, learning and civic engagement.