Claudia Ruiz is a community leader, advocate, and proud parent with deep multicultural roots, representing both Garífuna and southern Honduran heritage. Guided by strong moral values, she has built her life on perseverance, resilience, and a commitment to family and community.

For more than 27 years, Claudia has cultivated these values at home while raising her children, Jeimy and Roldan Valerio—both dedicated students in the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s OrchKids program. Her dedication to their growth and well-being inspired her active involvement in the program, where she currently serves as Program Assistant at Highlandtown Elementary/Middle School #237 and as a representative of the east-side hub Parent Committee.

Since 2014, Claudia has been an active member of the Johns Hopkins Latino Family Advisory Board (LFAB), joining its leadership subcommittee in 2023. She also serves on the Community Advisory Board for the PALOMA study, focused on suicide prevention among Latino adolescents, and works as a community health worker for the Mentes Fuertes program, which supports Latino adults facing depression and anxiety. Claudia is also a board member of the Highlandtown Preschool Community board.

Through her advocacy, professional service, and passion for community, Claudia continues to strengthen culturally responsive systems of support while leaving a lasting, positive impact on Baltimore families.