Home: San Francisco, CA. Age: Ageless. Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA. Profession: Executive coaching; graduate school professor. Organization (1): Ruben Consulting Group. Title: President. Organization (2): Golden Gate University. Title: MS Leadership Program Director. Alma mater: UC Berkeley (BA); California State University Hayward (MS): Fielding Graduate University (MS, PhD). Current project: Guide for CHIEF, the pre-eminent women’s professional networking organization. Recent professional development: Received a two-year research professorship to study neuroscience, leadership and complexity. Latest accomplishment: Awarded tenure in 2021. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Starting my own consulting and executive coaching practice in 1998. Hobbies: Jewelry making and genealogy. Last book read: The Undoing Project, by Michael Lewis. Recently viewed and recommended: Borgen: Power and Glory (Netflix).
Personality profile: Open, warm, caring, enthusiastic; creative idea generator. ENFJ (Myers-Briggs); Influencer (DiSC); WOO (Wining Others Over, Gallup). What one word or phrase would your closest friend use to describe you? Good listener. What is your greatest joy? Spending time with my husband and friends. What is your guilty pleasure? Dark chocolate mousse. What natural talent have you neglected? Writing. What is at the top of your bucket list? Croatia and Morocco. How do you relieve stress? Meditation, walking. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Time to wander the streets and poke around in local shops.
What was your favorite college course? Cultural Anthropology. What movie have you repeatedly watched? It’s a Wonderful Life. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My husband, Steve Ruben. What’s the best advice you received growing up? You are the captain of your own ship. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Zoom, which allowed us all to stay connected during the pandemic. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? I get my best ideas at a conferences, live or virtual. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? 9/11. It was the first time I felt vulnerable as an American.
What is your big idea?
NeuroStroll®, a process I developed based in neuroscience to help people achieve their goals.
What change would you like to see in the world? Acceptance, tolerance and inclusion for all humans. What message do you want to send out into the world? Love your neighbor as yourself, and love yourself. What mega-trend most excites you? Digital transformation. What mega-trend most concerns you? The divisiveness in the United States and the rise of authoritarianism.
Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? Elie Wiesel. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A child psychologist. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? My non-digital photo albums. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? I would throw a huge party for my family, for all my friends, past and present, and for work colleagues. I’d thank and bless them all for all they contributed to my life. What advice would you give your younger self? Relax, you have what it takes to succeed. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? My wedding day. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My twenties.
Personal mission: Inspiring leaders to bring out the best in others. Favorite quote: “If I am not for myself, who will be? If I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when? “ (Rabbi Hillel). Desired epitaph: She learned; she loved; she mattered.
