JRI, a nonprofit provider of trauma-informed care to children and families in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, has announced the addition of Maria Carolina (Caro) Ruiz of Boston to its Board of Trustees.

Ruiz, who is Director of Operations Performance Management at Tufts Health Plan, has been a leader in the Latino community, including past elected roles in the Association for Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA).  JRI has had a partnership in place with ALPFA to broaden its connection to Spanish-speaking professionals and communities.

“Caro’s professional experience and advocacy for the Latino community is a great fit for our board and its focus on broadening opportunities for social justice,” said Andy Pond, President of JRI.  “Her nonprofit board roles prepare her well for this appointment’s governance and oversight functions.”

“I was introduced to JRI both through a friend and from my involvement with ALPFA,” said Ruiz.  “I was impressed by the positive impact the different programs they offer make to the community.  I look forward to bringing my particular perspective of the Latino community, which is informed by years of volunteer service, to this board and to help govern and guide the important social justice agenda of JRI.

Ruiz has been with Tufts Health Plan for nearly eight years.  As Director of Operations Performance Management, she develops and oversees the execution of both short- and long-term operational and strategic goals.  Her most recent assignment is related to the coordination of COVID-19 activities, including implementing policies, benefit changes, communications and decisions related to servicing, claims payment, enrollment and billing.

Ruiz, a Boston native, earned a master’s degree in informatics from Northeastern University and holds a bachelor’s in systems engineering from Universidad Metropolitana in Caracas, Venezuela.  She was named one of the Boston Business Journal’s “40 under 40” in 2017 for her significant accomplishments at a young age.