Traci Ruiz
Biography
BIO
Traci Ruiz, M.Ed., is a High Stakes Leadership Expert, International Keynote Speaker, and Executive Growth Strategist. With 25+ years in public safety, she retired as one of the highest-ranking Latina police officers in the U.S. For over two decades, she served as the only Latina officer in Michigan to train officers, recruits, and community members in survival and de-escalation tactics.
From undercover narcotics assignments posing as a prostitute and drug dealer, to elder homicide investigations, Traci turned chaos into clarity in unpredictable environments. Her undercover narcotics work and federal grand jury assignment shaped her career defined by trust, clarity, and decisive action.
As a detective, Traci co-founded Ingham County’s first Elder Death Review Team and uncovered elder homicides often missed due to age bias. She co-authored a statewide Adult Abuse Guideline, is a nationally recognized court-certified Elder Abuse Expert, and received a gubernatorial appointment to Michigan’s Board of Medicine.
Today, Traci equips leaders to make tough decisions that protect people, performance, and reputation through High Stakes Leadership keynotes, scenario-based programs, and strategic advising.
She serves on the Black National Speakers Association (BlackNSA) Board of Directors and co-founded No Senior Without Christmas, serving vulnerable elders for 25+ years.
Please visit http://www.traciruiz.com for a list of services or connect with her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/traciruiz-highstakesleadership/.