Meyling Ruiz is the program assistant at Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC), a national community development non-profit, where she supports and cultivates relationships and collaborations among core partners, community based organizations, and other institutions. She also manages the AmeriCorps program for the Toledo region in which she fosters a team member-oriented, high performance culture that emphasizes empowerment, quality, productivity, goal attainment, and integrity for all AmeriCorps members.

Emigrating from Managua, Nicaragua as an infant, Meyling lived in Miami until the age of four before her family settled in Toledo. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Meyling serves as a bilingual interpreter in her free time. This is Ruiz’s fourth year being nominated for the 20 Under 40 award for her work in community service. She was elected to serve on multiple positions by the members of the Latino Alliance of Northwest Ohio, including her now second term as president. She was appointed co-chair of the Diamante Awards and recognized for creating a new scholarship for undocumented students. She was also highlighted in the Toledo City Paper’s The Big Idea Issue for her volunteerism in helping change Toledo for the better.

As president of the Latino Alliance of Northwest Ohio, Ruiz presides over the Latino Alliance board, including the Immigration, Leadership, Sponsorship, and Networking committees. As co-chair of the Diamante Awards, she stewards over $65,000 in scholarships for Latino youth and an awards program that recognizes Latino leadership in the Northwest Ohio community. She is also a member of the Welcome Toledo-Lucas County Steering Committee, where she serves as a trusted advisor, supports events and activities, and acts as an ambassador for welcoming immigrants and refugees to Lucas County. Ruiz helped Lucas County earn the status of a Certified National Welcoming County, the first county in Ohio and only the second community in the state to earn the merit.