With one foot in the arts sector and the other in business innovation, Ruth Hartt is rebuilding cultural audiences through a radically customer-first model.

Merging nearly two decades as an opera singer with deep expertise in customer-centric innovation, Ruth equips arts organizations with the strategies they need to reverse audience decline and spark new growth.

Ruth’s strategic vision is shaped by eight years’ immersion in innovation frameworks at the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation, a globally recognized authority on business and social transformation.

Drawing on this interdisciplinary foundation, Ruth brings together powerful perspective shifts and actionable insights to transform how arts organizations create lasting relevance in a changing world.

Raised in rural blue-collar Maine, Ruth brings a grounded and empathetic perspective to her work. Her approach blends artistic expertise, nonprofit acumen, and a profound understanding of customer needs—alongside a strategic lens for rethinking old models and unlocking new possibilities.

As a professional opera singer, Ruth earned numerous accolades, including 1st Prize in the American Prize for Vocal Performance in Art Song. She performed with OperaMaine’s Young Artist Program and joined the ranks of the Gerdine Young Artists at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.

Since transitioning from the stage, Ruth is a frequent speaker at industry conferences. Recent engagements include BBC Radio 3, the League of American Orchestras, Chorus America, and PAC Australia (APAX).

Holding dual certification in digital marketing from both the American Marketing Association and the Digital Marketing Institute, Ruth earned her M.M. in vocal performance at Boston University and her B.Mus in music education from Houghton College.