Relevance Strategist. Customer Champion.

Meet Ruth

With one foot in the arts sector and the other in the world of business and innovation, Ruth Hartt is leading the charge to rebuild cultural audiences through a radically customer-first model.

Ruth’s unique perspective merges nearly two decades of professional experience as an opera singer, choral director, and music educator with deep expertise in customer-centric innovation.

With a mission to revolutionize audience development, Ruth bridges the worlds of business innovation and the arts to help the sector unlock growth and relevance.

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.

As Chief of Staff, Ruth plays a pivotal cross-functional role in advancing the Christensen Institute’s mission, collaborating closely with the president and leadership team on key initiatives, including strategic planning, fundraising capacity assessment, and institute-wide DEI work.

Drawing on this interdisciplinary foundation, Ruth masterfully blends powerful perspective shifts with actionable insights to transform how arts organizations engage their audiences.

Having grown up in rural blue-collar Maine, Ruth brings a grounded and empathetic perspective to her work as a relevance strategist. Her distinctive journey—from performing on the opera stage to managing the inner workings of nonprofits—has given her a rare combination of artistic expertise, leadership acumen, and a profound understanding of customer needs.

Ruth’s career as a professional opera singer earned her numerous accolades, including 1st Prize in the American Prize for Vocal Performance in Art Song and 2nd Prize in the American Prize for Vocal Performance in Opera. After a successful tenure in OperaMaine’s Young Artist Program, she was selected for the highly competitive Gerdine Young Artist Program at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. Her performances consistently drew critical acclaim for her silvery tone, musical sophistication, and captivating stage presence.

Since transitioning from the stage, Ruth has become a sought-after speaker at industry conferences, consistently ranked as a top presenter. 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 a master’s degree in vocal performance from Boston University. She spent an additional year as a resident artist with the Boston University Opera Institute, and holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Houghton College.

Ruth resides in southern coastal Maine with her husband and son.

“I have worked as an attorney for over 35 years, and there is one kind of person I have come to admire and value greatly: the do-er. Ruth is a do-er. There is a lot in her toolbox, but you won’t find excuses in there.

Ruth is a lover of quality, demanding it from herself, seeking it in others, but blending it always with a patient respect for the beauty of unfolding human potential. It’s a wonderful combination.”

—Dennis Hart, Associate General Counsel, Boston University (retired)

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