About
As a young girl growing up in Sydney, Australia, Ruth developed a fascination with America’s iconic 16 Magazine. The older she grew, the more influence the U.S. seemed to have on her life. From wishing she could experience firework celebrations on her birthday every July 4 in the U.S., to her father sharing tales of enormous hamburgers following his business trips to the USA, it’s not surprising that she ended up in a relationship with an American and later became a dual Australian / U.S. citizen herself.
Professional
As a family lawyer in Australia, Ruth worked closely with individuals navigating divorce and domestic violence, gaining firsthand insight into trauma, survival, and the courage required to rebuild a life. During the 17 years she lived in Nashville, Tennessee, Ruth gained experience in public relations, strategic communications, and business development. She first worked for a PR and advertising agency and later held a business development and community outreach role at a large law firm.
Following her return to Australia, Ruth worked in the disability sector and subsequently led a national health and wellness program supporting women recovering from breast cancer. Her work focused on physical recovery and emotional healing. She authored an article for the National Rural Health Alliance’s magazine, Partyline, and co-authored a peer-reviewed research paper on breast cancer rehabilitation published in the Journal of Lymphoedema (Wounds International, 2024).
Ruth is an Associate Member of the Australian Society of Authors, and
Member, Emerging Writer, The Authors Guild, USA
Lived Experience & Advocacy
Ruth’s personal experience of living in a domestic violence shelter with her teenage daughter propelled her to become an advocate and speaker, raising awareness of the issue through organizations such as the YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee. Her understanding of trauma and healing has also been shaped by her own breast cancer journey, as well as by enduring a traumatic international ordeal in the UAE that deepened her understanding of fear, intuition, faith, and resilience.
She has been featured in Vanderbilt University Health News, Nashville Scene, and The Nashville Ledger, and has spoken to audiences ranging from small groups to more than 1,000 attendees. Since returning to Australia, she has been invited to participate in the 20th anniversary video for the YWCA Weaver Domestic Violence Shelter in Nashville, highlighting survivor success stories. Ruth currently participates in the Wollongong City Council Living Books Program, sharing her “living book,” He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, with nearly 1,500 students to date.
Recognitions include recognition at the Academy of Women of Achievement Awards and the Hon. Waverly D. Crenshaw Jr. Fostering Diversity Award in Nashville, and the Uniting with Heart Excellence Award for Compassion, and the Community Engagement Award for service to the disability sector in Australia.
Ruth presently lives in Canberra, Australia, where she is putting the finishing touches to her inspirational memoir and has completed a manuscript for a children's picture book - all while developing a business around an innovative product she designed and patented. She has two daughters, Heidi and Holly, and enjoys reading, working out at the gym, long walks, and the hilarious antics of her grandchildren, Dion, Luca, and Ruby Grace.