KathleenRuff

Kathleen C. Ruff, M.B.A., is vice president for external affairs and special assistant to the president at the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), a community-based state medical university. Ms. Ruff is responsible for the daily operations of the Office of the President and works with the president on building relationships and strategic partnerships with external constituents. Ms. Ruff oversees the development of new initiatives and programs that are in alignment with the University’s strategic plan and oversees the resource development function for the University which includes private and public philanthropy.

Her responsibilities include planning, developing and managing the range of strategic planning activities that report to the president. Ms. Ruff also works with the advancement staff to develop and implement the University’s fundraising plan and works with public relations and marketing staff to develop the key messages on behalf of the University.

Prior to joining NEOMED, Ms. Ruff was the Director of Academic Budgets at Drexel University. In this role, she was primarily responsible for budget planning and allocation, human resource management, faculty affairs operations, and information systems implementation for the colleges, schools and all other units that reported to the Provost.

Ms. Ruff received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree, Magna Cum Laude, and Master of Business Administration from Drexel University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher Education at Ohio University. She resides in Medina, Ohio, and is married to a NASA scientist. She has two children, aged 12 and 10.