Melanie Kirkwood Ruiz

Melanie Kirkwood Ruiz is a seasoned professional with a rich background in technology and information management. Her illustrious career, spanning over two decades, is underpinned by a robust educational foundation and notable achievements in significant roles across various industries.

 
Academic Background
 

Melanie's academic journey began at Cornell University, where she earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Engineering. Her time at Cornell provided her with a strong technical background, essential for her future roles in technology and management. Motivated to expand her business acumen, Melanie further pursued and completed a Master of Business Administration from the prestigious Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. This advanced education equipped her with critical skills in business strategy, leadership, and management.

 
Career Trajectory
 

Melanie's career trajectory showcases an impressive progression through various high-impact roles. Starting at Johnson & Johnson in Raynham, MA, she worked in operations and engineering from January 2002 to January 2004. She then moved to Abbott in the Greater Chicago Area, where she held multiple operations and global IT management roles from January 2004 to January 2007. Her next move was to United Airlines, also in the Greater Chicago Area, where she worked in airport operations from January 2008 to January 2009.

In January 2009, Melanie transitioned to a significant role at Scientific Games as Vice President of Technology, a position she held until January 2017. Her tenure here enhanced her expertise in program and product management, cross-functional team leadership, and business process improvement. Following this, she joined Cushman & Wakefield in Chicago, Illinois, serving as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Americas from January 2017 to March 2020. In this role, she demonstrated her capacity for strategic planning, change management, and business intelligence.

Since March 2020, Melanie has been the Chief Information and Technology Officer at ABM Industries, headquartered in Houston, Texas. Here, she oversees the integration of technology and information systems to facilitate business operations, reflecting her adept skills in managing complex technological environments and driving business strategy.

 
Key Skills and Leadership
 

Throughout her career, Melanie has been lauded for her leadership and relationship-building capabilities. Notably, Chris Hall, a former vendor/client relationship associate, praised her for her technology leadership, software vendor management skills, and her ability to foster mutual value in vendor relationships.

Melanie's broad array of skills includes process improvement, project management, Six Sigma, and lean manufacturing, among others. Her journey illustrates a dynamic blend of technical proficiency and strategic leadership, positioning her as a prominent figure in the field of technology and information management. Melanie Kirkwood Ruiz's career path is a testament to her expertise, strategic vision, and impactful leadership in the tech industry.