Ruth A. Hunt
Posted On: Nov. 30, 2008 12:00 AM CST
Principal, Communication and National Health Care Communication Strategy Leader
Buck Consultants L.L.C.
Minneapolis
Ruth Hunt is a principal and national thought leader for organizational and change communications with Buck Consultants. With more than 27 years experience, Ms. Hunt specializes in strategic planning to address issues involving human resources, benefits, compensation and organizational change. She also is a national expert in health care consumerism and wellness. She is a member of the International Assn. of Business Communicators and winner of several IABC awards. Ms. Hunt is a frequent presenter and author on change communications and health and wellness topics. She contributed to methodologies described in the book, "Five Frogs on a Log: A CEO’s Guide to Accelerating the Transition in Mergers, Acquisitions And Gut Wrenching Change," by Mark L. Feldman and Michael F. Spratt. She also is featured in the college text, "Effective Small Group Communication in Theory and Practice."
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE INDUSTRY: "After receiving a master’s degree in communication organization, I learned of this field of internal and organizational communication. I decided it was exactly what I wanted to do. I wanted to solve businesses’ problems and help make a business run more smoothly. I could combine my skill sets and interests to make a real difference."
THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED: "Work hard but remember the people priority—be genuine, care about clients and care about their businesses."
ADVICE FOR THOSE STARTING IN THE INDUSTRY: "You need to realize you’re going to have to reinvent yourself many times over during your career. Be proactive. Listen to what’s going on in the marketplace and industry and understand how that impacts you. You need to re-skill and change, and that’s how you’re going to stay ahead."
WHAT YOU WANTED TO BE PROFESSIONALLY WHILE GROWING UP: "I wanted to be world’s greatest high school or college debate coach."