Ruth Brajevich

Ruth is Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and a member of the Executive Team at Ware Malcomb. An excellent strategist, gifted communicator, and innovative thinker, Ruth has been a trailblazer at the firm. She was the first woman promoted to Principal and has been part of Ware Malcomb’s Executive Team since 2004. Ruth has played a key role in the company’s transformation from a regional firm to a global Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Company. Her steadfast focus and holistic, strategic approach to the business are backed up by a depth of knowledge and experience in strategy, marketing, communications, innovation, culture, learning, and people development.

Ruth leads Leadership Development, Strategic Planning, Knowledge Management, Learning & Development, and Internal Communication/Engagement. She spearheaded the launch of the firm’s formal DEI program and is also on the ESG committee.  Some of Ruth’s notable accomplishments include launching numerous company development programs including Leader Onboarding/Training Workshop, WM Executive Coaching, WM Mentoring, WM 5.0 Continuous Improvement, and WM Active (wellness initiative).

Ruth is a member of Ware Malcomb’s Advisory Board and the Komen Orange County Leadership Committee. Previous industry and community Board roles include California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) Women in Leadership program the Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), Orange County Chapter. An accomplished speaker and writer, Ruth has presented frequently at industry conferences and community events.  In 2023, she was a speaker at The AEC Advancing Knowledge Management Conference and AIA Orange County’s Back to the Office Trends event.   During her career, she has also spoken for numerous industry groups including ULI, CREW, NAIOP, The OC Diversity Council, Komen OC, The Common Thread for the Cure, and the IMA (Internet Marketing Association). In 2012, Ruth co-founded Women Leaders Connect, a peer-to-peer women’s leadership group in Orange County. Recent industry recognition includes 2023. 2021, 2020 OCBJ Women in Business nominee, 2017 Top 50 Most Influential CMO’s and Marketing Leaders by Science of Digital Marketing.

Ruth received her Bachelor of Arts in Social Ecology from the University of California, Irvine, and a Certificate in Leadership Coaching from Harvard University. She is a 15-time marathoner and cancer survivor and has championed cancer awareness and research fundraising for both the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and the Susan G. Komen Foundation since 2012.