White, female, she/her/hers pronouns, heterosexual.
I’m not who you typically think of when you think of diversity.
And yet, I am.
Are your team members hiding a part of themselves
from your managers, colleagues, or friends?
Stepping back from connections or experiences?
Feeling isolated, trapped, or lonely
even amidst a team-based environment?
You might not even be aware of it.
Hiding is not uncommon.
An updated 2023 study by Deloitte found that 60% of employees hide a part of their identity at work.
I have been on a number of diversity panels that feature deep conversations about gender and race. Very few of those workplaces open the conversation to other areas of difference.
How we define Diversity contributes to hiding.
“When we accept, appreciate, and honor our differences,
we become truly authentic; we become more passionate,
and we become free.” ~ Ruth Rathblott, MSW
Hi, I’m Ruth, and I work with leaders to build cultures where employees can unhide, thrive, and belong.
For over 25 years, I led organizations in the nonprofit sector, where I saw firsthand the power of embracing differences—both visible and invisible—to unlock creativity, connection, and innovation.
But my understanding of this didn’t come easily. Born with a limb difference, I spent much of my life hiding what made me unique. I believed that blending in would shield me from judgment, so I avoided opportunities, connections, and situations where I might be “discovered.”
The truth? Hiding didn’t protect me—it drained me. It kept me from being seen, valued, and able to contribute fully. It was exhausting and isolating.
Everything changed when I stopped hiding. The freedom I gained from embracing my difference taught me that true strength and connection come from showing up as your authentic self.
Now, I take the lessons I learned—from years of hiding and the transformation that came from unhiding—to help leaders create workplaces where everyone can thrive. Together, we unlock potential, foster belonging, and unleash the power of differences.
Want to hear more about my story on how I stopped hiding?
Did you know that 90% of companies claim to prioritize Diversity?
Yet, only 4% consider disability in those initiatives.
And, 1 in 4 US adults live with a Disability.
Disability cuts across all lines. It doesn’t discriminate.
It’s time to redefine diversity to be fully-inclusive.
AS FEATURED IN
Want the official credentials?
I have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Goucher College and a Master of Social Work degree from Boston University. I was honored as the youngest alum ever awarded the Goucher College Excellence in Public Service Award. In 2014, I was given the Smart CEO Brava Award and profiled as a CEO in the NY Times Corner Office.
I also received the Trailblazer Award from the Community Resource Exchange and the Unsung Hero Award from the Female Founders Alliance.
I received Certification from the American Management Association in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and am certified in Myers-Briggs.
And, am currently a Board Member of The Lucky Fin Project.
Now, the unofficial details…
More about me, Ruth (not Ruth, the Inspirational Speaker).
Ruth’s Faves:
Color: Dark Blue / Indigo, and pops of Bright Pink
Beverage: Decaf Iced Tea
Alcoholic Drink: A margarita with salt
Food: Anything Mexican … with lots of spice!
Book: Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
Lucky number: 6
- I live in NYC (I was only supposed to be there for one year, but I just celebrated 29 years in the city).
- Growing up, I spent every summer during high school studying in France with my mom.
- I always wanted to be the teacher’s pet.
- In college, I spent a summer living in Florence.
- I lived in Appalachia one summer in grad school, helping low-income women with entrepreneurial skills and teaching kids.
- Over the past several years, I’ve traveled to: Europe (Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna, Prague, Budapest); Southeast Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos); African Safari (Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe); Belize; South America (Peru and Ecuador), Morocco, and most recently Argentina and Antarctica (with the Falkland Islands and South Georgia too).
- Whenever I come back from a long trip, I crave nachos and Chinese food!
- Flip charts are my inspiration space. (I even travel with sheets of flip chart paper and pens to help the creative juices flow).
- I have developed a postcard ritual; I send myself postcards from my trips to tune into what I was feeling and capture it so I never forget.
- I love the beach, the sound of waves crashing, and the salt air. My dream is to own a gorgeous beach house, with all glass windows and big white comfy couches where I can relax and recharge.
- I haven’t had caffeine in 10+ years! I don’t miss it.
- My favorite subject in school was Math, and my favorite homework was Latin and diagramming sentences.
- And I won’t throw out a tube of toothpaste until that very last squeeze.
Part of coming out of hiding is owning all of who we are, little quirks and all!
Current Obsessions:
- Traveling ~ I still have a bucket list of places I want to go, including trekking to see gorillas in Rwanda & Uganda, visiting the polar bears in the Arctic, seeing the Northern lights in Iceland, and making it to my seventh continent Australia (and New Zealand).
- Going to live theater and events ~ I love everything live!
- Going to the gym (yes, I actually like working out once I am there).
- Vision boards (including journaling and manifesting ~ I have a spiritual side to me, too, and love the woo-woo stuff!)
- Taking photographs on my walks in Central Park.
This or That?
| Reality TV | Sit-coms |
| Action movies | Rom-coms |
| Running late | Always on time |
| Sunrise | Sunset |
| Coffee | Tea |
| Fresca | Cola |
| Adventure seeker | Homebody |
“Her experience and knowledge transcends
individual issues and speaks to everyone…”
“Ruth Rathblott is a true leader and visionary in the area of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Qlik hosted sessions with Ruth sharing her experiences and knowledge on living with disabilities and embracing inclusion. Ruth is now engaged with our team to implement an Employee Resource Group focused on disabilities, both visible and invisible. I highly recommend working with Ruth in any capacity for companies looking to focus on the value of inclusion for all employees. Her experience and knowledge transcends individual issues and speaks to everyone. Please feel free to contact me for further reference information.”
Julie Kae
VP Sustainability and DE&I
Your organization has made some great strides when it comes to DEI. But there are some common oversights that many companies make around inclusion. Is your organization making any of these 5 mistakes?
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